Winter Cover Project Yearly Report
2007 Project Report
Winter Cover Program:
Growers Participating: 15
Total Acreage: 2303.69
Mulching Program:
Growers Participating: 17
Total Acreage: 3118.28
Total:
Growers Participating: 26
Total Acreage: 5421.97
Estimated Tons of Soil Saved: 1625
Estimated Dump Trucks Loads of Soil Saved: 108
The 2007 season was our best yet, with regards to grower participation. We had 15 growers participate in the winter cover program and 17 involved in the mulching program, with 7 growers involved in both programs with a total of 26 growers participating. We also had six growers participating in these programs for the first time this season. The remaining funds for the program were nearly used and we have minimal funding left for 2008.
2006 Project Report
Winter Cover Program:
Growers Participating: 12
Total Acreage: 2351.50
Mulching Program:
Growers Participating: 11
Total Acreage: 1605.30
Total:
Growers Participating: 21
Total Acreage: 3956.76
Estimated Tons of Soil Saved: 1186
Estimated Dump Trucks Loads of Soil Saved: 79
The 2006 season was one of tremendous growth for this project. We had 21 growers participate and more than doubled our acreage over the 2005 season. Don Collins was hired as an outreach consultant for the program during the winter of 2005 and he did an excellent job bringing in new participants. We look forward to additional growth for the 2007 season.
2005 Project Report
Winter Cover Program:
Growers Participating: 4
Total Acreage: 504.50
Mulching Program:
Growers Participating: 11
Total Acreage: 1215
Total:
Growers Participating: 13
Total Acreage: 1719.50
Estimated Tons of Soil Saved: 515
Estimated Dump Trucks Loads of Soil Saved: 34
As most of you know the 2005 fall harvest season was a difficult one. We had significant rainfall during this time period, which made harvest difficult and as a result many of our growers were unable to get a winter cover crop into the ground in time to establish adequate growth. As a result we saw a fairly significant drop in the number of farmers and total acreage for the winter cover aspect of this project over 2004. As a result we had an increase in the number of growers taking part in the mulching program this year. We purchased a new Bale King processor this fall and that along with the two Jiffy bale processors we purchased last year were busy for a good portion of the fall and winter up until snowfall in late December.
2004 Project Report
Winter Cover Program:
Growers Participating: 11
Total Acreage: 941.50
Mulching Program:
Growers Participating: 9
Total Acreage: 867
Total:
Growers Participating: 15
Total Acreage: 1808.50
Estimated Tons of Soil Saved: 542
Estimated Dump Trucks Loads of Soil Saved: 36
The 2004 was one of tremendous growth for this project. Participation was up significantly from the 2003 season, which had four growers participating in the winter cover program with a total of 285 acres. All of the growers anticipated maintaining or increasing acreage for the 2005 season. Five growers participated in both the mulching and winter cover programs. Six growers were involved only in the winter cover program and four growers participated only in the mulching program. The two Jiffy bale processors we purchased this year were busy for a good portion of the fall and winter. Lack of snowfall made it possible for the machines to be used into January of 2005. We anticipate purchasing another bale processor for the 2005 season.
2003 Project Report
Winter Cover Program:
Growers Participating: 4
Total Acreage: 285
Total:
Growers Participating: 4
Total Acreage: 285
Estimated Tons of Soil Saved: 86
Estimated Dump Trucks Loads of Soil Saved: 6
Daniel Lilley - HBMI Mulching Grant Project Coordinator