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Local Business Plans, LLC. Version 062215 1

Production Module 01 - Get Your Land

Unit 01 - Get the Word Out

Get any piece of land that you can to start with Who are good initial prospects to ask to use their land:

• Look to your family or extended family • Friends or people that you have known for a long time

Visibility of the property is important

• This is very important to your marketing. • Other people seeing your farm plot will help you get more pieces of land.

You want people to walk by and interact All eyes in the community are on your project Your garden will increase the property value of the piece of land

• This is another marketing tool for finding other pieces of land to farm. The first plot doesn't have to be prefect or even visible to others

• Chances are that your first plot won't be an ideal piece of land. • You will learn how to pick plots as time goes by

Get out there and do it! As time goes by and you build a reputation, you will find plots closer and closer to your home base.

• This is the ultimate goal. • This will increase your

o Efficiency o Profitability

Nothing is permanent in this system.

• Things will cycle As you build Social Equity, more opportunities will present themselves. As you build your brand, you will get more opportunities.


Unit 02 - Identify the Prospects

What should the main base of operations have:

• Should be central to the system o Think of the system as a set of concentric rings

• Like a target's bullseye • The following criteria will change over time • Work towards satisfying these requirements over time • Storage for gear

o BCS • Walk-behind tractor

o Hand tools • Processing capability

o Sinks for washing o Tables for

• Sorting • Bagging • Banding • Labeling

• Cold storage • Indoor nursery capability is nice to have • A two car garage can work • Ideal if you live there, but you don't have to • Organize your system into concentric rings

o Home base is the central ring • Pivot point for your operation

o Hi-rotation crops are closest to the home base o Bi-rotation plots further away o Customers, Markets, Vendors, Restaurants can be further out

What do you need:

• Table • Tools • Totes • Greens drying station • Soil mixing table • Sheltered area • Walk-in cooler • Green spinner

Production capability at the home base is nice

• Greenhouses


Micro-green production is done at the home base, if possible Ideally, try to spend 80% of your time in your center ring. Try to get production as close to the home base as possible

• A 1 mile diameter ring is ideal The home base may have to be based on the production plots that you can obtain. Eliminating transport time between parts of your system is key.

Unit 03 - Qualify the Plot

Have something on your web site listing the criteria for land that you are looking for.

• Specs • Location • No overhanging trees • Etc.

Most people won't look at the criteria before emailing of calling

• Refer them to it Look for at least 2000 sq. ft. plots Qualify the prospect first You can tell a lot about a person by their home. Set up a meeting with the landowner

• During the meeting, perform the following steps: 1. Analyze the landowner

i. Analyze the neighbors 1. Any stray dog 2. Lots of weeds 3. People spraying Roundup

ii. What are they up to 2. The site history

i. Questions to ask 1. When was the home built 2. Has this land been gardened before 3. Was this a gas station or anything else that could have possibly

contaminated the land


ii. The city may have information on the history of the house and land iii. Check neighboring land history too

3. Soil test i. Bring a trowel or shovel with you to the meeting

ii. Bring some sample jars iii. Check for

1. Clay 2. Roots 3. Rocks

iv. Take several soil samples v. Is there contamination

vi. Test the soil samples for 1. NPK 2. Ph 3. Contamination

a. Only test if it is a very good site, but may be contaminated 4. Size and location

i. 2000 sq. ft. or larger? 1. Smaller plots must have exceptional locations

ii. Within your desired zone 1 or 2 iii. Do an invasive weed check iv. Know the invasive weed in your area

1. Avoid the property if there are too many invasive weeds 5. Available light

i. All seasons ii. Shade

iii. Obstructions 6. Fencing

i. Is preferred to keep people and animals out 7. Visibility to the public

i. Visibility may overrule some of the other 9 characteristics of land 8. Water access

i. Should be relatively close to your plots 9. Accessibility

i. Times the plot is available ii. Entrance and exit

Invasive weeds is one of the largest deal breakers The land owner is another high priority consideration.

• You must be able to establish a good relationship with them


What to look for in a landowner: • Somebody who shops at a farmers' market • Somebody who believes In the idea of local food • Someone who doesn't care about their lawn

o i.e. That it will be dug up • Don't necessarily have to be a gardener

o Some become avid gardeners What are the characteristics of a landowner to stay away from:

• Somebody looking for something o Want more produce per week than currently offered

• Thorny personality • Hard to communicate with • Annoying • Want to talk too much • Be careful with retired people with too much time on their hands • Own unruly dogs or other animals

What to look for in a good plot:

• Clear southern exposure • Avoid plots with rhizome weeds peppered through out

o Weeds on the edges are manageable • Avoid plots with any large overhanging trees

o Especially on the southern side o Dripline - The area around the tree where the branches extend

• The tree will absorb all of the water within this area o Solar Access in the shoulder seasons is important to extending the

growing season • Shoulder Season - spring and fall

Unit 04 - Agree on the Terms

Generally the landowners are paid with vegetables • It works like a CSA • The landowner receives one box/week during the growing season • Box value of $20-$30/ week

o Less in the spring and fall o More in the summer

• Produce comes from crops grown on all plots of the farm, not just theirs • Curtis sends an email to the landowners each week with an order form

o They fill it out and send it back to Curtis o Curtis enters their order into his order fulfillment system o The landowners pick up their box at the farmers' market


• He has a few elderly owners and he delivers to them Vegetables are exchanged for land

• This relieves the burden of leasing land from the grower The landowners’ boxes start when their plot starts producing.

• No later than May 1st Most important terms in the agreement

• The structure of the vegetable box agreement o It is not a profit-sharing plan

• Don't specify what will be grown on their plot o Only specify that it will either

• Veggies • Herbs • Flowers

• Landowners are not allowed to pick their own vegetables o If they want something, they let Curtis know or come to the market

• Outline that machinery will be used o Specify the hours that machines will be operated

• Water o Provided by the landowner o This must be customized to your specific area in the country o During high usage months, Curtis writes his landowners a check for

around $100 for the water consumption • Always try to get a three year commitment from the landowner • Exit/shotgun clause

o If a situation at the plot causes the loss of profit, the grower can leave at any time

o If the grower has to leave the plot for any reason, they can stay until the end of the season.

• e.g. Landowner sells the house

Process of signing the agreement • The landowner is emailed the agreement document • They return the agreement with any desired changes

o Negotiate the points • Meeting with the landowner is scheduled

o The landowner initials each clause on the agreement o The landowner signs the agreement

This agreement is not meant to be a legal document and hold up in court.


• The intent is to make sure that both parties have similar understandings of the situation.

The agreement is structured differently if there is no house or person on the property.

Production Module 02 - Infrastructure + Tools

Unit 01 - Bed Prep

Rotary Plow

• Doesn't totally invert soil • Pulls soil up • Like a big drill • Digs into the subsoil • Not absolutely needed if on a tight budget • Works soil quickly

o Especially if hard-packed • Can be used to make raised bed

o Good in wet climates • Requires a larger tractor to function

o Wider wheels

Tiller • Used for bed prep • Ground breaking too • Should be 30" wide

BCS Walk-behind Tractor

• Very well constructed machines • No belts or chains • Very little to break • Last forever • Italian built • Developed for small plots of land • Feature a PTO

o Power Takeoff o The piece of hardware that the tractor's implements attach to and are

powered by • New $5000-$6000 • Look for used

o Used may be hard to find


o Very popular and usually sell quickly • Very little annual maintenance

o Oil change o Change air filter o $20-$30 annually o Can be done by the grower

Tarps

• Used for stale seed bedding o Prep beds o Add amendments o Tarp bed o Encourages weed seed to germinate

• The tarp if left on long enough will smother the weeds • Warms soil due to the black surface • To shorten the process, flame weed

• Tarp beds after harvesting to prevent weed growth before replanting o Also keeps in moisture o Keeps weed seed from blowing in

• Crucial tool o Minimizes labor o Helps eliminate weeding

• Silage tarps will work • Features

o Silver on one side, black on the other o Heavy duty material o 40' x 60' o Around $200 each o UV resistant

• Must be cared for o Folded properly o Stored properly

• Don't use lumber covers or burlap o Any money saved on purchase price is wasted on extra labor

Flame Weeder

• Absolutely crucial tool • Part of bed prep • Used in Stale Seed Bedding • Does not harm the soil • Boils the newly germinated weeds • Creates a perfectly weed-free bed


Tilther • Not the best machine • Powered by an electric drill • Essentially a tiller • Only tills the top inch of the bed • Used to turn over the beds • Mixes in the soil amendments • 18" wide

o Requires 2 passes per bed • Handles can be angled • Does not bring up new weed seeds

Seed Bed Roller

• New tool for Curtis' system • Same thing can be accomplished with a landscape rake • Pushes down the bed and makes it firm • Helps keep the seeder from moving around too much dirt • The bed looks better and cleaner • Has insertable dibbles for marking transplant holes

o Incredibly effective - labor saving o Creates perfect spacing for transplants

• Head lettuce • Beets

• Big and awkward to move around on a bike Landscape Rake

• Make row markers from 1/4" pipe o Attach to the tines of the rake o Johnny's has them too

• Used for bed prep • 3' Wide • Used to rake out debris • Used to mark holes for transplants

o The Seed Bed Roller now performs this function • Purchase at a specialty landscape store

Standard Rake

• Used for raking out rocks • Has deep tines


Unit 02 - Nursery Equipment

Urban farming nurseries are not optimal since they may need to be moved Original 12' x 22' greenhouse can't be used for starting tomatoes

• Tomatoes and other nightshades need to be started indoors in colder climates Indoor Nursery

• Industrial quality vertical shelves or racks o Steel-wire shelves are the best o Rubber coated

• 2' deep x 4' wide • Fits 4 trays per shelf

• 4' 32w T8 Fluorescent light fixtures o 2 lamps / light

• Microgreens can be grown under them • 6 shelves

o Room for 48 flats • Dehumidifier

o May need 2 • Fans

Hang products which are more cold tolerant in the outside greenhouse Starting plants indoors is ideal Outside Greenhouse

• Use steel T's to hang shelves • Hanging plants do not cast a shadow on the ground in the shoulder seasons

o The sun is lower in these seasons • Can't run the greenhouse irrigation with hanging plants

o Requires hand watering o Usually only for a month / season

If space, time, and money weren't an issue:

• Vertical nursery with a method of automatic watering is ideal Currently building a new greenhouse

• 18' x 50' • Passive solar • Insulated concrete floor • All starts will be in here on vertical shelves


Soil Blocks • Superior to plugs, but take a lot of time • Good for small scale • Planting time is much faster • Does not use them anymore

o His farm is too big o Still uses the soil mix

• 1/2 Peat based soil mix � Sunshine Mix 5

• 1/2 Compost • Wet down

� Turned into mud • Used to start plants for transplanting • Use trays with no drainage

o Called germination trays o 10" x 20" o 1" deep o Don't have to water as much

• Take a long time to make Sifter

• Screens all of his soil • 1/4" mesh • 2" x 8" wood square slightly larger than a tote • 2" x 4" inner square

o The screen is attached to this with • Washers • Screws

Soil Prep

• Soil Mix o 1/2 Sunshine Mix 5

• Peat based • Contains either

� Vermiculite or � Perlite

o Mix brand is not important o 1/2 Compost

• Screen mix 1 tote at a time • Dump onto the mixing table • Screen a tote of compost • Dump the compost onto the table • Take a can of organic fertilizer and dump it onto the table


o Gaia Green brand o 4-4-4 NPK

• Use shovel to mix • Heavily water and mix

o Water to mud like consistency

Watering Wand • Wonder Waterer

o Used in the nursery o Light o Very fine spray

Tomatoes are transplanted into larger pots from the plugs

• Final is a 2 1/2" pot • All tomatoes are grown under cover

o Creates a stable environment for growth

Unit 03 - Planting

Direct Seeding Tools Earthway Seeder

• Good beginning tool • Inexpensive • Some imperfections

o Works with a plate with notches in it that drags the seeds up into a hopper

o Then down through a funnel to plant the seed o Small seeds

• Especially Brassica family � Mustard � Arugula � Kale

• Get ground up behind the plate � Wastes seed � Causes spotty germination

o Fix available from Jordan Marr at • www.theruminant.ca • Puck-like device which increases pressure on the plate

• Only uses it with the Chard plate for planting Spinach o There isn't a good plate for the Jang for planting Spinach


Jang Seeder • Uses rollers • Different sized rollers for different seeds • Uses a brush to keep extra seed from getting in the way • Very accurate

o Able to change the spacing between seeds o Fully customizable

• Uses 14 sprocket on front • 9 sprocket on rear • Uses many different rollers • Very heavy duty • Hopper pulls out to change seed

o Increases efficiency o Reduces work by not having to move the seeder to the seed to refill

• Covered so rain does not affect planting • The wheels won't pick up mud

o A bar on the back wheel scrapes the mud off • Speed does not matter

o You can run while planting with this seeder o Don't try to run at first

• Very robust • Supposedly built by the South Korean Army • If you can afford this seeder, buy it • Your plantings will always be perfect

Unit 04 - Seeds

• No Video

Unit 05 - Irrigation

• No Video

Unit 06 - Weeding

Curtis does not do much weeding

• 4 - 8 hours a year • Stale seed bedding eliminates the need for most weeding

Sometimes hand weeding is the quickest

Stirrup Hoes

• Also called


o Loop Hoes o Hoop Hoes

• Blade on each side o Oscillate back and forth

• Used for walkway weeding • Very quick use • Always brings one with him to the plots • 7", 5", 3" models

o 3" used to be used for narrow walkways and beds • Stale seed bedding eliminated the need for this

• Not used on large weeds o Use a pitchfork to dig large weeds out

• From Johnny's Seeds • Sharpen the blade several times a season • The 7" is used most often

Pitchfork

• Used to loosen the soil around weeds so that you can remove the whole weed • Helps tease roots out • The handles often break • Expect 2 years of service

Flame Weeder

• Explained in bed prep • Saves around 100 hours a season of weeding time

Unit 07 - Harvesting

Greens Harvester

• New tool for the farm • Purchased from Johnny's Seeds • Uses an electric drill • Invented by a young guy who lived on a greens farm • Not perfect

o Saves a lot of time • 8 man hours down to 45 minutes

• Blades must be kept very sharp o Replace or sharpen several times a year

• Used to harvest all baby greens • Does not work well with Spinach

o Will work with over-wintered Spinach o Cuts Spinach by hand


Knives • Steak knife

o Serrated blade o A dedicated lettuce knife may work better

• Dewalt Utility Knife o Keep it clean o Keep it sharp

• Sterilized o Used for harvesting Micro-greens

• Simple • Fast • Efficient

Pitchfork

• Used for harvesting Carrots • All other root crops are hand harvested

Totes

• Made by Rubbermaid • All of the smaller totes fit into the next larger tote for compact transportation

and storage • They will stack in the cooler and on the truck • Separated into:

o Field use • Dirty

o Processed products • Clean

• Large o 18 gallon/60L o Used for harvesting greens o 40-50 totes at the farm

• Medium Tote o Used for packed product

• Greens in bags • Two layers • 24 Bags

o Not that necessary o You could do without them

• Small o Used like the Medium Tote

• 1 layer • 15-15 bags

o 50-60 on the farm


• Mini o Used for

• Harvesting small things � Herbs

• Displaying product at the market o 20 totes on the farm

• Macro

o Used for bunched root veggies o Wash the veggies in the tote o Drain and dry products o 30-40 totes on the farm

You need to know how to harvest by hand

• Always keep a knife with you • Sometimes a bed needs harvested immediately

Unit 08 - Washing

Washing Table

• All washing occurs on this table • Pool liner directs waste water into a tote

o Some people can get away from having to using the pool liner • Need to have well-draining soil

o Purchase from a hardware store • Streamed line way of washing • Good for all washing tasks • Built from 2" x 4" lumber • 3' deep x 8' long • The pool liner is rolled over several times and then attached to the frame • The liner is attached at an angle so that it drains into a tote at the end of the

table • A 1/4" galvanized steel mesh is attached over the top

o Make sure that there are no sharp edges o Use washers and screws o Overlay the cut edges of the mesh w the pool liner

• See the photo at 03:55 in the video • The drainage tote has a sump pump in it to carry the water away from the table

o Available at any hardware store o Around $150.00-$200.00 o Turns on when the water level in the tote hits a certain level o Left plugged in all the time

• Does not use energy unless it is running


o The drainage hose needs to be cleaned weekly • You can use the Dramm fixture used for washing the products to clear

the drainage hose • Saving the water is not an option

o It would need to be filtered multiple times o It will be full of microbes

• It will go anaerobic if stored Dramm Hose Fixture

• Simple • Effective • Last forever • Gun sprayers from a hardware store only last a month or two • Used for washing crops • It has a variable valve on the end • Hold it like a pencil

Unit 09 - Drying

In some jurisdictions the following equipment can't be used Large orange restaurant salad spinners don't work

• Cost around $200 • They have gears which wear out • New gears cost around $150

Washing Machine Spinner

• Find a used washer o It just needs to spin

• Modify it by removing the agitator cone o This allows you to spin more product at one time

• Spun in a mesh laundry bag • Set the machine on spin

Drying Table

• See photo at 04:40 in the video • Table with screen • 1/4" mesh like the washing table • 2" x 3" wood • Bottom on hinges • 2 3-speed box fans

o About 2 1/2 feet above the table o Attached with wire


• Turn fans on for 5-10 minutes • Move the greens around several times • Do not over dry

o The greens will wilt • The bottom hinges down to clean the mesh when changing products • The drying process will remove the sunflower hulls

Greens Processes:

• Wash o Place into a mesh laundry bag o Drip dry in a tote with holes drilled in it

• Spin in washing machine • Dry on drying table

o Radish microgreens will spoil in just a day or two if not dry o ALL MICRO-GREENS MUST BE DRIED

Dry micro-greens can be stored for several days before delivery

Unit 10 - Cold Storage

Coolers

• You must have a cooler o A house refrigerator won't cut it

• Standalone walk-in from restaurant o Look for liquidated stock o $1000-$2000

• Not traditional walk-ins • 4' x 6' x 6 1/2'

o Having 2 is beneficial • It will save you a ton of time • It provides a backup if one fails • Harvested product in one • Processed product in the other • Will handle up to 1/2 acre of product

o The compressors don't last forever • They are very expensive to replace • The technicians are expensive

• You can build your own o Look for plans online o http://storeitcold.com/ o 8' x 8' x 8' relatively inexpensive

• Blue foam insulation • Wooden frame


o You can buy a restaurant cooler with a bad compressor o The CoolBot is wired to an air conditioner

• The CoolBot tricks the air conditioner into running at temps below 55 degrees

o The air conditioner is placed in the hole in the cooler where the compressor goes.

o If the air conditioner breaks, simply replace it. o The CoolBot never breaks.

• Simple technology o Can actually turn a cooler into a freezer o The CoolBot and air conditioner cost around $500

Label totes with painter's tape

Unit 11 - Season Extension

• No Video

Unit 12 - Transportation

Started pedal powered 3-cylinder truck and van

• Daihatsu • Right-hand drive • Only insures one vehicle at a time

o Only insures them for 7 months out of the year • Built a deck covering for the bed of the truck for delivery

o Tarps the bed when delivering to restaurants o Uses tie down straps to strap down boxes for the market

• The van is better for delivering to restaurants • The truck is good because it is a both a delivery and a farm vehicle • Small physical foot print • Fuel efficient • Marketing advantage

o People notice it and in turn the signage o Conversation starter

The bikes are great, but you spend too much non-productive time on them.

All of his weekly work is still done by bike All bikes have electric assist.


• Highly suggested for hilly areas • Cost around $2500 • Sponsored by a local bike shop

Bikes and Pedal Powered Equipment

• Marketing advantage o Head turner o Conversation Starter o Add signage

• Avoids traffic o Speeds delivery

• Easy to find a space to park when delivering • Bikes (2)

o Surly Big Dummy o Steel frame o Heavy gauge o The brand is not important, durability is.

• Trailer 6' x 30" o Aluminum deck o Steel frame

• 1/16" wall steel o Flat bed o Choose this one if you only purchase one

• Trailer smaller o Can be daisy-chained to the larger trailer

• Creates a wiggle-wagon o Box o Aluminum sides and deck o Steel frame

• 1/16" wall steel • Aluminum luggage box

o Lockable o Used like a glove box o Cost several hundred dollars

• Xtracycle/Panniers o Uses for carrying totes to deliver small or rush orders o Able to carry 2 or 4 totes o Allows for flexibility o Increases cargo capability without having to pull a trailer o Good for running errands o Not totally necessary o Bike with Xtracycle $2500

• Don't use your bikes to haul compost


o Too time consuming o Unproductive

Unit 13 - Market Prep

Portioning

• Weighing • Banding or bagging • Happens at home base

o Shaded, cool area Analog Scale

• Used for products that weigh 1/4 lb. or more • $60 • Simple • Fast

Digital Scales

• Has a number of them • Uses for Micro-greens • Not as responsive time-wise • Have to change batteries

o Buy scales that use AA batteries or plug in to the wall o Avoid scales that use watch-type batteries

• $20-$40 Clamshells

• Compostable for micro-greens • Protects the product from getting smashed • Able to stack containers at the market

o Creates the illusion of abundance Cardboard Boxes

• Find at grocery stores used • Breakdown easily • Have a wax coating

o Can have wet items in them • Used to pack restaurant orders • Greens are not as easy to pack in these

o Usually packed in roll bags o Line the box with plastic roll bags if using boxes to pack o Use totes instead

• Orders over 10 lbs.


• Can be stored in the cooler

Roll bags are used for packing bulk product Market packaging is either:

• Small plastic bags • Rubber-banded bunches • Compostable clamshells

Unit 14 - Farmers' Market

• No Video

Production Module 03 - Plot + Bed

Unit 01 - Plan the Plot

Traditional Bed Layout Considerations

• Sun • Wind • Contour

These are not as important in Urban Farming.

• Due to limited space Considerations for Urban Farming Bed Layout:

• Physical restrictions o Shade

• Very important o Trees o Houses o Fences o Hedges

• Access Points o How do I get myself and my equipment in and out of the plot

Plant all half-beds at the same time

• i.e. plant 1/2 of a bed with one crop and the other 1/2 with another crop and plant them at the same time

• Don't leave 1/2 a bed as dirt


Take the path of least resistance while minimizing lost/unusable space when laying out beds Beds shaded in the spring or fall can be planted later in the season or taken out of the rotation earlier at the end of the season. Measure the whole yard

• Take very exact notes on where the measurements are from and to Curtis uses SketchUp for mapping his bed plots

• Allows cut and pasting from one layout to another • Easier to try different layouts than drawing by hand on graph paper

Try multiple bed layouts for a plot Run greenhouse east to west to take advantage of solar exposure. Production in some plots will limited by solar exposure.

• Transplants can be used to "jump-start" beds which need to be planted later or earlier due to less solar exposure in the shoulder seasons

Sometimes you will have to make layout concessions due to owner and neighborhood constraints. If no one is complaining, you may be able to get away with some things that don't adhere strictly to municipal code. Always look to maximize production in a plot before expanding the number of plots.

Unit 02 - Prepare the Plot

Unit 2.1 - Prepare the Plot

First time plot preparation Plot tarpped for 6 months

• This will kill all of the weeds • Good to do if you can

Till in no particular pattern

• Starting in a square around the perimeter is a good way to start Always set the tiller to the deepest depth


Till a new plot completely, 3 times At the end, your hand should easily go 8"-12" into the loosened soil Throw rocks, stick, and other debris out as you go. Soil heavy in clay is harder to till Sandy soil is easier to grow these types of vegetables Get the plot as level as possible Forming the beds

• Foot paths are between 6" and 12" o They are smaller in high-rotational plots

• Wider walkways are more comfortable • Place the tiller handles out to the side when forming the beds

o Walk down the walkway in between beds • Till each bed again two times

o 1 pass each direction o Level the beds as much as you can

Raking the beds

• Use the landscaping rake to level out the beds • Be careful where you walk

o Walking on the tilled soil compacts it

This is not a complicated task.

Unit 2.2 - Tilling

• No Audio Unit 2.3 - Tilling Beds

• No Audio Unit 2.4 - Raking

• No Audio


Unit 03 - The Beds and Walkways

Standard Bed Size

• 30" x 25' o Determined by width of tiller o Many farm implements are 30" wide

• 25' most common o Lots of things like row covers are based on lengths of 100' o Lengths of 50' and 100' can also be used o There are some exceptions, generally due to the size or shape of a plot

• Hi-rotation beds generate $800/season • Bi-rotation beds generate $400/season • Standard beds allow for easy planning

o Income o Crops

• 30" is easy for most people to stand over o Ergonomic

• A standard bed produces a marketable amount of product o Easy to sell that amount in a week

• Easier to turn beds • It is better to have multiple standard beds planted in tight succession than

larger, longer beds • Helps conceptualize amount of work

Double bed

• Doesn't use that often • Can be used in shorter areas • Used in the height of the season • The whole bed is cropped out all at once • Used for fast growing crops

o Radishes o Arugula o Etc.

• Used in ultra-small plots to maximize land use Inter-planting

• About economics and time strategies • Planting 2 or more crops in a single row that grow at different rates • Allows for more efficient use of space • Greenhouses are bi-rotational areas

o Greens and tomatoes inter-planted o Vertical space is also utilized o Fills the unused space in between the tomato plants until they get larger


Short Beds • Used in confined areas • Used with crops that aren't produced in large quantities

Long Beds

• Reduce irrigation cost and equipment • Reduces cuts in

o Landscape fabric o Row cover material

• Less turns with the tiller The configuration of beds can be changed to maximize production, as needed. Adjust your walkways depending on the crops grown in a bed.

• Hi-rotation 6" • Bi-rotation requires larger due to the size of the plants • Typically beds stay either hi-rotation or bi-rotation, but walkway width can be

changed with the use of the bed

Unit 04 - Turning Over the Beds

• No Audio

Unit 05 - Prepare the Bed to be planted

• No Audio

Unit 06 - Fertility

Unit 6 - Bed Prep - Soil + Fertility Explanation

Use 5 gallon buckets to spread compost rather than a wheelbarrow

• Allows for consistent application of compost and nutrients on each bed • Apply 4-6 buckets

Organic Fertilizer

• Bone meal • Blood meal • Increases nitrogen content • Needed during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall

o Due to less sunlight


Unit 6.1 Fertility - Applying Compost

• No Audio

Unit 6.2 Fertility - Applying Organic Fertilizer

• No Audio

Unit 6.3 - Fertility - Tilling in Nutrients

• No Audio

Production Module 04 - Planting

Unit 01 - Direct Seeding

Loading the Jang Seeder

• No Audio Planting

• No Audio Explaining the Process

• Rows are not pre-marked o They are "eye-balled"

• Planting 9 rows o ------- = row o > = new row o 1 row on each edge of the bed

• --------------------------------

• -------------------------------- o 1 row down the middle of the bed

• -------------------------------- • >------------------------------ • --------------------------------


o Split each of these rows in the middle • This gives you 5 rows

� ------------------------------------ � >----------------------------------- � ------------------------------------ � >----------------------------------- � -------------------------------------

o Split each row again in the middle to give 9 rows

• --------------------------------------------

• >------------------------------------------

• --------------------------------------------

• >------------------------------------------

• --------------------------------------------

• >-------------------------------------------

• ---------------------------------------------

• >-------------------------------------------

• --------------------------------------------- • This technique works with odd numbers of rows

o Try to plant in even numbers of rows • Even numbered row are eye-balled

o Always start at the edge of the bed o Split rows until you have the desired number of rows

• Jang Seeder o Preferred seeder o Uses rollers inside o Simple mechanism

Direct Seeding Carrots in a Greenhouse

• No Audio Direct Seeding Arugula

• No Audio Multiple Rows

• No Audio Direct Seeding Pea Shoots

• No Audio

Unit 02 - Transplanting

• No Audio


Unit 03 - Nursery

• No Video

Unit 04 - Microgreens

• No Audio

Production Module 05 - Irrigation

Unit 01 - When to Water

• No Video

Unit 02 - Drip Systems

• No Audio

Unit 03 - Overhead System

• No Video

Unit 04 - Examples

• No Video

Production Module 06 - Pests + Weeding

Unit 01 - Identify Your Pests

Identify the main pest in your own geographic area Root Maggot

• Affect o Radishes o Turnips

• Can be avoided by not planting during gestational cycle • Lays eggs on the leaves • Larva falls to the ground and eats the produce


Aphids • Affect Kale and other produce • Avoid their cycle by not planting when they are active • No good way of mitigating them

Rats, Mice

• Figure out what they are eating • Avoid planting those crops in that area • Cats will mitigate these pests

o Cats will move into and area and naturally help take of this problem • Will eat turnips • Love Sunflowers

Cats

• Will dig up your beds • Love freshly tilled beds • Keep the soil wet to mitigate them • You can create a sandbox for them to play in • You can trap and remove them

Dogs

• Will dig up beds • Fencing is the best way to mitigate dogs

Carrot Rust Fly

• Effects carrots • Do not plant carrots when the fly is active

Figure out what the pest cycles are in your area

• Contact local Ag Extension Office • Ask local farmers

Unit 02 - Pest Prevention

Methods to prevent pests

• Know the gestation cycle of insect pests • Insect netting

o 80 gram o Used to mitigate Root Maggots o Cover the bed from seeding to harvest o Actually helps the crops grow

• Keeps the crop clean o Cannot be used in very hot temperatures


• Stresses the crops • Pest cycle is usually done by the time it gets too hot to use

o Used on single beds o Spring clamps hold the fabric in place o These items should be available from Johnny's Seeds

• Protek Net • 32" Square metal hoops

� Use 4 per 25' bed • Spring clamps

� Placed on each corner of the bed o Very high quality

• Can last up to 10 years • Remay Gardening Cloth

o Used to keep quail from eating stems of field microgreens o Secure with 2"x4"s or rocks o Curtis doesn't like it

• Not high quality o Insect netting is better

• Apply using the same method as above • Mammals

o Trapping is the best for • Mice • Rats • Voles • Only uses live traps

� Allows trapping multiple animals at a time • Only used when a problem is present

o Cats • Keep the beds wet until the plants are established • Use chicken wire on the sides of greenhouses to keep cats out when

the sides of the greenhouse are rolled up • Use to attach it to the greenhouse frame

� 2"x4" � Zip ties � Metal wire

Unit 03 - Pest Mitigation

• No Video

Unit 04 - Identify Your Weeds

Every geographic area has unique weeds


Research local weeds before taking on a plot of land

• Check with local Ag Extension Office • Use Google

Try to avoid plots that have a lot of invasive weeds

• Small amounts can be mitigated Rototilling can exacerbate an invasive weed problem Canadian Thistle

• Very thorny • Spreads through rhizomes

Field bind weed

• Spreads quickly • Goes deep underground • Very difficult to get rid of

o Especially organically o Roundup is the only sure way

• Deep rhizomes

Unit 05 - Weed Prevention

The goal is to not let weeds get established and go to seed. One of the big advantages of Urban Farming is less weed pressure.

• The weed seeds get stuck in obstacles like o Buildings o Fences o Cracks

Initial weed mitigation protocol

• Make a drawing of where the invasive weeds are in plot o Mark an invasive weed area with flags

• Use a pitchfork to remove the weeds o Be careful to remove as much of the weed and root structure as possible

• Wet the plot with sprinklers for several days • Tarp the plot for as long as 6 months • Check with the original drawing • Re-dig the invasive weed areas with a pitchfork

o Dig at least 8"-12" deep • Rototill the plot


o Rototilling is still used to prepare a plot initially even when a no-till strategy is being employed

No-till/Stale Seed Bed is the #1 technique

• Takes more prep time • Saves time in the long run

No-till/Stale Seed Bed protocol

• Fork the bed o Broad fork o Pitch ford

• Add soil amendments • "Tilth" the beds

o Like a tiller, but only 1"-2" deeper o Does not bring weed seed to the surface

• Water the bed heavily • Cover with a tarp

o Does not require an extremely heavy duty tarp o Actually prefers greenhouse poly

• Encourages weeds to germinate • Remove the tarp • Fork out any weeds with taproots

o The flame weeder will not kill weeds with a taproot o Try not to disturb the soil too much and bring up new weed seed

• Flame weed the bed o Boils the weeds to death o Does not harm the soil o Can be done even a few days after untarpping

• Direct seed into the beds Plastic Mulch Technique

• Uses Sunbelt landscape fabric o Thick o Woven o Breathable o 3' wide o Saves a huge amount of time

• Used on the perimeter of all plots • Used on bi-rotational crops

o Biofilm may be used instead o Requires no work until harvest o Need at least 6" centers for crops to be used

• Use a 30" board to mark row and transplant placement


o Use a 1/4" drill to drill hole the proper distance apart on the board • Use spray paint to mark the plant placement on the landscape fabric • You can put holes in multiple pieces of fabric at a time • Use a pole with a tomato paste can on the end to burn transplant holes in the

landscape fabric • Use a propane torch to heat the can

o Alternatively, attach the can to the end of the torch and burn the holes • Saves the time of heating up the can each time you burn a hole • The torch can also be used to repair frayed fabric edges

• The landscape fabric pieces can be reused from year to year o Mark on the fabric

• The size of the piece • Size of planting center

� 6", 8", 10", etc. • Use a small trowel to punch holes for head lettuce • Using fabric saves about 50% of the water required by a bed • Irrigation goes underneath the fabric

Tilling for fast growing crops is fine without using fabric

• The crops outpace the weeds Biofilm

• Non-GMO corn resin • Fully compostable • Certified organic • Used for closely spaced transplants • Used in conjunction with the Seed Bed Roller • Used to cover the walkways too

o He may try the landscape fabric for walkways, since the rolls are marked in 1' increments

• Do not use any other type of mulches o They are much less efficient and require more labor

• None of Curtis' landowners have complained about using fabric or biofilm

Flame Weeding • No Audio

Unit 06 - Weed Mitigation

Weed Mitigation = Weeding Weeding is unpaid labor

• The return is hard to quantify


Tasks with quantifiable returns • Planting • Harvesting • Marketing

You can never have a completely weed free bed The goal is to prevent weeds from going to seed Always bring a stirrup hoe with you to your plots Curtis only spends 4-8 hours a season weeding Stirrup hoeing a walkway only takes a minute

• Good for newly germinated weeds Landscape fabric all plot perimeters Hand weeding is the most effective since it removes the complete weed Use a pitchfork to tease out a complete weed, roots and all Stirrup Hoe (walkway and rows)

• No Audio Weed Whacker (perimeters)

• No Audio Hand Weed (in bed)

• No Audio Hand Weeding Chard

• No Audio Hand Weeding Kale

• No Audio Forking

• No Audio Raking

• No Audio


Production Module 07 - Harvesting

Unit 01 - Harvesting Principles

• No Video

Unit 02 - Harvesting Methods

• No Audio

Production Module 08 - Processing

Unit 01 - Processing Principles

• No Video

Unit 02 - Processing Methods

• No Video

Production Module 09 - Season Extension

Unit 01 - Season Extension Principles

• No Video

Unit 02 - Season Extension Methods

• No Audio on Video

Unit 03 - Overwintering

Overwintering can be used to extend the current season

• Up until around Christmas in Curtis' climate Overwintering is used to get a jump on next season

• Overwintered crops can be harvested in late winter or early spring


Video 1 • No Audio on Video

Overwintered Carrots

• For early spring harvest • Planted in August • Grow until mid-September

o Almost mature • DTM 70-90 • Sit dormant over the winter • If planted too early they will go to seed

o Will also have hairy roots • Biennial plant

o Goes to seed after the first winter • Optimal time to harvest is mid-March • Harvest with a pitchfork

Video 3

• Crops grown in low poly-tunnels up until Christmas o Swiss Chard o Multiple varieties of Radishes o Sold over the winter

• Overwintered Crops o Spinach

• Can grow during the colder months • Able to harvest 1st or 2nd week of March • Planted first week of October

� This allows 4 weeks for it to get established o Carrots o Lettuce

• When small will handle very cold temperatures • Larger lettuce plants will freeze • Can harvest as early as January 20th

Video 4

• Kale does better uncovered if there isn't too much snow • Start transplants the 2nd week of July • Transplant first week of August • Harvesting Kale

o Harvest kale from the bottom up o Remove any bad leaves o Remove and gather leaves into a bunch o Place into tote


Production Module 10 - Graduation

Unit 01 - Wrapping Up

• No Video

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