Agricultural Studies & Projects

RCV Farm Agricultural Studies- providing sustainable gardening, herbs and education.

The studies on this page are in conjunction with Lincoln University , University of Missouri Extension , SARE - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program , NRCS EQUIP Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative and others. You can continue your education on these topics at these sites.

2016 PKI Conference: Practical Farmers of Iowa - Power Point slide show from January 23 conference in Ames, IA with Jaime C. Piñero Ph.D. Lincoln Univ. and Gary Wenig - Perimeter Trap Crops

2015 SARE Conference: Power Point slide show from March 14 conference in Independence, MO with Jaime C. Piñero Ph.D. Lincoln Univ. and Gary Wenig - Perimeter Trap Crops

2013 SARE Study - The merger of IPM trap corps and the use of chickens in movable pens to control insects in lieu of pesticides in both organic and sustainable vegetable production. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the use of plants and beneficial insects to control the bad pest with a greatly reduced dependence on chemical pesticides.

• Part - 1 - daily log entries.
• Part - 2 - daily log entries.
• Summary - monthly synopsis and final report.
• Original SARE Grant proposal - a description, cost analysis and overview of the program.
• Cost analysis - for the chicken tractor construction and IPM crops.
• Chicken tractor - design notes and photographs.
• Cover Crop Crimping Without a Crimper - how to crimp a cover crop without a crimper using a rotary tiller.
• SARE Website Project FNC13-938 North Central Region.

SARE Factoid - fennel, dill, yarrow, coriander, tansy, buckwheat & millet attracts lady bugs, lacewing, hover flies, parasitic mini-wasps, tachinid flies. These are beneficial insects that kill the bad pest in your garden.

EQUIP High Tunnel Program - Purchased to be assembled in June & July 2013. Slated to grow lettuce, greens and cooking herbs. High Tunnel cost analysis for a 30 by 72 high tunnel. Assembly and construction notes. Video and assembly tips also to follow as time permits.

SARE Factoid - winter rye cover crop must me crimped for 3 weeks before other crops can be planted in it. The rye is a allelopathic which produces chemicals which kill other plants and some pest. See: Winter Rye

MACA Conference 2014 Gary Wenig's presentation to the Missouri Animal Control Association annual meeting. The Power Point slide presentation, minus the speech, covers legislation, care, rescue, feeding and all aspects of chickens in a urban environment. The purpose of the presentation was to educate animal control officers and police on all aspects of managing urban chicken city ordinances. I would be available to make this presentation to other organizations.

SARE Factoid - Squash bug eggs hatch in 5 days in extremely hot weather and up to 12 in cool weather.

SARE Factoid - bees cannot see in a high tunnel or greenhouse that uses plastic because the plastic filters out the light frequency that bees see in. This is why they will not fly into a high tunnel and will not pollinate in one. To bees it just appears to be a dark cave.

Soil Organic Matter Percentages - An un-sponsored observational study of the effects of organic matter in soil and it's effect of crops. Organic matter study

This project and all associated reports and support materials were supported by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture- National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed within do not necessarily reflect the view of the SARE program or the U.S. Department of Agriculture