Researchers and staff in the Department of Horticulture and Cornell Cooperative Extension educators are helping farmers across New York to tap the benefits of reduced tillage systems, including:
- Labor savings.
- Lower fuel costs.
- Less erosion and improved soil health.
- Greater planting flexibility early in the season.
With new funding from the New York Farm Viability Institute and a Specialty Crop Grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the project will provide growers with information, technical assistance and equipment cost-share funds to test reduced tillage on their farms.
“We are seeking growers of all scales, producing conventional or organic vegetables – either direct-seeded or transplanted crops,” says Betsy Leonard, a technician in the Department of Horticulture. “Ideally, we’d like to work with growers who can compare deep zone tillage next to conventional tillage in the same field and on the same crop. We will also assist with economic analysis to quantify cash savings of these systems.”
Locating equipment to test reduced tillage has been a barrier for many growers. To help, the project team is working closely with equipment dealers who can rent equipment for testing.
Planned reduced tillage educational events for growers include:
- Reduced Tillage and Soil Health Sessions at the Empire Fruit and Vegetable Expo on Jan 27.
- Planning the Transition to Reduced Tillage Systems: Equipment, Fertility and Weed Control, a video conference offered at four locations around the state on Feb. 11.
- Planter Clinics at three locations in February to help vegetable growers make their planters work optimally in reduced tillage systems.
Contact your local Cornell Cooperative Extension educator, Anu Rangarajan (ar47@cornell.edu) or Betsy Leonard (bai1@cornell.edu) in Cornell University’s Department of Horticulture if you are interested in participating in the project or have questions regarding reduced tillage.
For more information including videos, fact sheets stories from other growers who have transitioned to reduced tillage and more events as they are scheduled, visit the team’s Reduced Tillage Vegetables website.