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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Vermicompost Versus Traditional Compost Amendments Leads To Different Soil Health Outcomes In A Mediterranean Vineyard, Elizabeth L. Luck
Vermicompost Versus Traditional Compost Amendments Leads To Different Soil Health Outcomes In A Mediterranean Vineyard, Elizabeth L. Luck
Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Management Projects
Compost application has become a common practice in vineyard management to increase soil and crop health, however, the environmental externalities such as greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from cropping systems that utilize organic fertilizers, such as compost, is uncertain. Vermicompost, which is compost created through the digestion of organic matter by earthworms, and its related ‘extract’ are commonly thought to provide more benefits for soil and crop health compared to standard compost. However, organic fertilizers such as vermicompost, vermicompost extract, and compost have not been compared in their effects on soil health in Mediterranean vineyards. In this two-year study, I assessed …
Point-Of-Sale Specific Willingness To Pay For Quality-Differentiated Beef, Kar Ho Lim, Michael Vassalos, Michael R. Reed
Point-Of-Sale Specific Willingness To Pay For Quality-Differentiated Beef, Kar Ho Lim, Michael Vassalos, Michael R. Reed
Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications
Despite the growing interest of producers and consumers toward grass-fed, local, and organic beef, the supply chain for these products to reach consumers is not always clear-cut. Among the available options are direct-to-consumers and the conventional food supply chain. Although consumers may pay a premium for beef differentiated by quality attributes, the willingness to pay (WTP) difference across point-of-sales is unclear. In this study, we contrast the WTPs for conventional, grass-fed, local, and organic beef by brick-and-mortar supermarkets (B&Ms), farmers’ markets, and via online stores. We conduct a choice experiment with a nationwide online sample of American consumers. The findings …
Farmer Perceptions And Behaviors Related To Wildlife And On-Farm Conservation Actions, Sara M. Kross, Katherine P. Ingram, Rachael F. Long, Meredith T. Niles
Farmer Perceptions And Behaviors Related To Wildlife And On-Farm Conservation Actions, Sara M. Kross, Katherine P. Ingram, Rachael F. Long, Meredith T. Niles
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty Publications
Conservation Letters published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Policy makers are increasingly encouraging farmers to protect or enhance habitat on their farms for wildlife conservation. However, a lack of knowledge of farmers’ opinions toward wildlife can lead to poor integration of conservation measures. We surveyed farmers to assess their perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices from perching birds, raptors, and bats—three taxa commonly targeted by conservation measures. The majority of farmers thought that perching birds and bats were beneficial for insect pest control and that raptors were beneficial for vertebrate pest control; however, fruit farmers viewed perching birds more negatively than …
Old Roots And New Shoots: How Locals And Back-To-The-Landers Remade Maine's Local Food Economy, Eileen Hagerman
Old Roots And New Shoots: How Locals And Back-To-The-Landers Remade Maine's Local Food Economy, Eileen Hagerman
Maine History
Back-to-the-landers who relocated to Maine in large numbers during the 1970s often lacked traditional rural skills and encountered a variety of agricultural challenges related to the state’s harsh climate and poor soils. Many who remained on the land often did so, at least initially, because they received support from elderly neighbors who still practiced low-input, small-scale farming. These neighbors tended to freely share their knowledge and skills and, in return, often benefited from the young newcomers’ assistance with laborious on-farm tasks. The newcomers worked with their local allies to form organizations, share knowledge, and coordinate marketing efforts tailored to meet …
Organic Corn Production In Kentucky, Michael Bomford, Lee Meyer, Thomas Sikora, William Martin, Sam Mcneill, Michael D. Montross, Edwin L. Ritchey, Chad Lee
Organic Corn Production In Kentucky, Michael Bomford, Lee Meyer, Thomas Sikora, William Martin, Sam Mcneill, Michael D. Montross, Edwin L. Ritchey, Chad Lee
Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications
The number of organic dairy cows in Kentucky has been steadily increasing for years, yet there’s not enough organic corn produced in the state to feed the growing herds. In fact, most of the organic corn consumed in Kentucky is produced outside of the state. The growing organic livestock and poultry industries in Kentucky face the same feed constraints. In short, a new market has developed in the state, but few local farmers are taking advantage of it.
An Evaluation Of Vermicompost As A Fast-Acting Nitrogen Amendment To Mitigate Nitrogen Deficiencies In Organic Vegetable Production, Peter Dalton Austin
An Evaluation Of Vermicompost As A Fast-Acting Nitrogen Amendment To Mitigate Nitrogen Deficiencies In Organic Vegetable Production, Peter Dalton Austin
Graduate College Dissertations and Theses
For sustained production, organic agriculture depends on plant needs being synchronized with the release of nutrients from organic amendments during decomposition within the soil. Because decomposition is strongly dependent on soil moisture and temperature, nutrient needs may not always be met as planned or synchronous with plant need. Unlike conventional agriculture, fast acting amendments are not readily available. Much of the evidence that vermicompost benefits crop production comes from studies on seed germination and production of starts in greenhouses. Yet, there is a dearth of information derived from field studies. Soil, soil and water nitrogen, plant development, and marketable yield …
A Farm-Scale Biodiversity And Ecosystem Services Assessment Tool: The Healthy Farm Index, John E. Quinn, James R. Brandle, Ron J. Johnson
A Farm-Scale Biodiversity And Ecosystem Services Assessment Tool: The Healthy Farm Index, John E. Quinn, James R. Brandle, Ron J. Johnson
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Farm management focused on maximizing biomass production results in biological simplification and ultimately a degraded production potential for the future. Despite the large and growing body of evidence pointing to the need to restore biodiversity to farm systems, incorporation of biodiversity and ecosystem services into local agricultural land use decision- making remains limited. The lack of planned and associated biodiversity may reduce resiliency of local managed ecosystems and add management costs; however, the trade-off for individual landowners of greater diversity is increased management complexity and uncertainty. To assist farmers in managing biodiversity and to encourage ecological thinking, we developed the …
Evaluating The Sustainability Of Four Organic Vegetable Production Systems, Delia W. Scott
Evaluating The Sustainability Of Four Organic Vegetable Production Systems, Delia W. Scott
Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences
A field study evaluating the sustainability of four organic vegetable production systems was conducted in Lexington, Kentucky in 2006 and 2007. The four systems included no-till, raised beds covered with biodegradable black mulch, bare ground with shallow cultivation, and bare ground with shallow cultivation and wood chip mulch. The two-year study compared yield, weed control, labor, and costs associated with each system, as well as physical, chemical, and microbiological soil characteristics. In 2006, tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown in the four systems, with no significant difference in yield. Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) was grown in the …