alterNatiVe cultiVatioN StrateGieS For larGe-Scale FarmS Even if the densely planted, year-round, low- to no-fossil-fuel techniques of the Four Season Farm were not employed in the Meadows, other strategies could be used to help build soil health, increase yields, and reduce fossil-fuel consumption:
Organic Fertilizers
Manure and/or compost to fertilize soil rather than chemical fertilizers that require petroleum to produce and when applied in excess can run off and pollute waterways.
Crop Rotation
that the soil can replenish the different nutrients taken up by each crop, and avoid the build-up of pathogens and pests specific to one crop.
Cover Crops
While allowing an agricultural plot to lie fallow, a living mulch or green manure such as plants in the Fabaceae (pea) family increase soil fertility, and manage weeds and pests. These crops are grown and then cut and left on top of the soil to help build its nitrogen content.
Integrated Pest Management
An integrated, ecological approach that aims to reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides to manage pest populations through a myriad of practices such as building soil, crop rotation, and growing plants that attract carnivorous insects.
A system of cultivating a selection of crops on the same plot so
crop yield For the meadowS (conventional techniques)
The following crops are those well suited for the Hadley and Winooski floodplain soils found in 3,500 acres of the Meadows. Using conventional agricultural techniques, one acre could yield: Hay, which could be used to feed vegetables yield per acre local livestock, could possibly be Potato 27,500 lbs grown on the 500 acres of lowland Limerick silt loam in the Meadows, Cucumber 28,800 lbs though it may be more important to Onion 30,000 lbs preserve these areas, with their poorly Sweet corn 21,000 lbs drained soil, high-water table, and Butternut squash 14,000 lbs frequent flooding, for their significant role in ecological Asparagus 2,160 lbs functions. Cabbage 14 tons (All figures represented result from hay yield per acre conventional agricultural practices, Timothy-clover 2.5 tons requiring time, maintenance, and use (most appropriate hay for the soil here) of farming equipment.)
crop yield For alterNatiVe cultiVatioN StrateGieS See Appendix E for an extensive list of crops and their potential yields using alternatives to conventional agricultural strategies.
seed questions for future research • What are the aspirations of the farmers in the Meadows and how interested would they be in alternative cultivation techniques if shown to be financially viable? This information could be helpful for building future partnerships towards year-round food security and potential participation in a focal food incentive program or an edible landscape and garden tour. • What are the older generation of farmers’ plans for the future? Do they plan to sell or bestow farming operations to other family members? If traditional farming families are no longer interested in working the farms in the future, what transition could ensure that farming continues on their property, with the goal of increasing Northampton’s food security?
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