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HomeOrganic FoodBALANCING SOIL FERTILITY & ORGANIC PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT — The Dirt

BALANCING SOIL FERTILITY & ORGANIC PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT — The Dirt



By Meg Darnell 

Meg Darnell is a Farmer Services Coordinator at Georgia Organics 

On Monday, July 1, 2024, 34 local farmers and 15 farm staff, researchers, and extension agents arrived at Oxford College Farm of Emory in Oxford, GA to participate in an Organic Growers Farmer Field Day exploring soil health and organic pesticide preparation and application. The day featured a farm tour, three in-depth educational sessions, and ample opportunities for networking. This recap provides a detailed summary of the day’s activities, highlighting the technical insights shared by experts and the valuable knowledge gained by attendees. 

 

Morning Overview: Farm Tour and Welcome 

 
The field day began with an engaging tour of Oxford College Farm, led by Daniel Parson and his dedicated farm crew. Daniel’s extensive experience in Certified Organic farming was complemented by the hands-on insights of his team. Participants observed the farm’s vibrant ecosystem, noting how it was teeming with life—a testament to the farm’s commitment to sustainable and biodiverse practices. 

We explored an impressive 11 acres of diversified agricultural production. The farm employs a thoughtful approach to crop management and sustainability. Oxford College Farm utilizes a meticulous crop rotation system by dividing their land into quarter-acre blocks. This method allows them to alternate between cash crops and cover crops effectively, promoting soil health and productivity. Notably, they incorporate cover crops even in their high tunnel, which is used for year-round production. 

In addition to their rotation blocks, the farm features dedicated areas for various fruit trees, including figs, blueberries, persimmons, and pears. These areas are managed separately from the rotation blocks. The farm also supports beneficial insect populations by maintaining flowering plants throughout the fields. This strategy helps control pests during their larvae stage, reducing the need for chemical interventions. 

A unique aspect of the farm is their intermittent wetland, which has been developed to support native plants. This area includes a diverse range of species such as azaleas, bee balm, and St. John’s Wort, contributing to the farm’s ecological balance and biodiversity. 

The farm employs four full-time staff members who manage day-to-day operations. Additionally, Oxford College students contribute a few hours of volunteer work each week during the academic year, providing valuable support to the farm’s activities. 

The tour provided a comprehensive overview of the farm’s operations, including soil management, cover cropping techniques, and crop rotation. The rich biodiversity observed on the farm underscored these practices’ effectiveness in creating a thriving agricultural environment. 

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