News:
By: Paul Hepperly, PhD
More information here.
Cowpea as an Alternative Crop for Sustainable Crop Production in the
Delmarva Region
of the United States
R. B. Dadson, F. M. Hashem, I. Javaid, J. M. Joshi, Arthur L. Allen
From the Journal of Sustainable Agriculture vol. 27(2)
ABSTRACT. Field experiments were conducted to determine the possibility
of growing cowpea as an alternative crop in the cropping system
of the Delaware , Maryland and Virginia (Delmarva) region of the
United States . Cowpea genotypes were grown for two seasons and the
parameters evaluated mostly included grain yield, biological yield,
flowering and maturity dates. Results showed significant differences in
grain and biological yields of various genotypes. Genotypes Colossus,
Mississippi Silver and California Blackeye 5 gave significantly higher
seed yields. The highest biological yield was provided by genotypes
Champion, White Acre and California Blackeye 5 making these genotypes
good candidates to be used for green manuring or as cover crops
the region. Genotypes Quickpick Pinkeye and Elite were found to be
early maturing and might escape the terminal drought. Soils in the
Delmarva region are sandy, prone to drought but support corn and soybean
which are the major crops in the region. The results indicate that
introduction
of cowpea in the Delmarva region could play an important
role in replacing some of the areas currently being used for corn and
soybean
production, an important source of vegetable proteins to many ethnic
groups in the area, play an important role as an alternative crop,
improve soil fertility to sustain crop production, and also to serve as an
insurance crop, especially during drought years in the Delmarva region.
More information here.
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Historic Tidewater plantation sustains farming through organic grains and turning crowds into customers
Feb. 16, 2006. Regional demand for organic grains and local interest in on-farm experiences keep large acreage farm active. Read more about this farm's organic grain production and agrotourism enterprise here. From the New Farm website.
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Organic Certification cost-share funds available in NC
13 Sept. 2005
NCDA&CS recently received word that the USDA has extended a $20,000 grant to the state through 2008 to reimburse farmers for a portion on their certification costs. The Cost Share Grant Program is designated to assist the organic grower with the cost of becoming certified by a USDA accredited organic certifier. NCDA&CS will reimburse current and transitional growers for 50% of the cost of certification up to a maximum of $500/year. The assistance is available on a first come first serve basis until the funds are depleted. Farmers can apply for the funds by calling Kevin Hardinson, NCDA&CS Organic Marketing Specialist, at 919-733-7136 ext. 232, for an application. More information on this program and program applications may be found at www.ncdaorganic.org.
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Study finds organic farming produces same yields as conventional farms, consumes less energy and no pesticides July 13, 2005
ITHACA, N.Y. -- Excerpt: Organic farming produces the same yields of corn and soybeans as does conventional farming, but uses 30 percent less energy, less water and no pesticides, a review of a 22-year farming trial study concludes.
David Pimentel, a Cornell University professor of ecology and agriculture, concludes, "Organic farming offers real advantages for such crops as corn and soybeans." Pimentel is the lead author of a study that is published in the July issue of Bioscience (Vol. 55:7) analyzing the environmental, energy and economic costs and benefits of growing soybeans and corn organically versus conventionally. The study is a review of the Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial, the longest running comparison of organic vs. conventional farming in the United States.
"Organic farming approaches for these crops not only use an average of 30 percent less fossil energy but also conserve more water in the soil, induce less erosion, maintain soil quality and conserve more biological resources than conventional farming does," Pimentel added. ... ". . . we found that corn and soybean yields were the same across the three systems," said Pimentel, who noted that although organic corn yields were about one-third lower during the first four years of the study, over time the organic systems produced higher yields, especially under drought conditions. The reason was that wind and water erosion degraded the soil on the conventional farm while the soil on the organic farms steadily improved in organic matter, moisture, microbial activity and other soil quality indicators. The fact that organic agriculture systems also absorb and retain significant amounts of carbon in the soil has implications for global warming, Pimentel said, pointing out that soil carbon in the organic systems increased by 15 to 28 percent, the equivalent of taking about 3,500 pounds of carbon dioxide per hectare out of the air. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE
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Check out the current Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) newsletter for an article about the NC Organic Grain Project (pdf file) |
