Building Soils: Soil Testing, Composting, Amendments (NOFA-VT Summer Workshop Series Event)

Farmer Stephen Chamberlain, NRCS Soil Conservationist Carla Fenner, and NOFA-VT Vegetable and Fruit Advisor Wendy Sue Harper will discuss the need to test soils annually, and how to use soil tests to determine your need for organic fertilizers. We will demonstrate how a cover crop and vegetable rotation system can control weeds and increase organic matter without added manure or compost. We will discuss how to choose a site for vegetable production. Dutchess Farm grows 4 acres of produce using organic practices, selling to a 100-member CSA, the Rutland Farmer's Market, and the Rutland Co-op.

Directions to Dutchess Farm: From Poultney go north on Rt. 30 about 3 miles, turn right on Ward Road. Go to end. At T turn left onto Lewis Road go about 300 yards. I will park white box van at turnoff (left) into field. Park either on Lewis Road or on top of hill if you pull into turn off. From Castleton Corners, head south on Rt 30. About 1 mile will be Brown’s Farmstand. Proceed 2 miles south (straight) from there, turn left onto Walker Rd. Go to end. At T turn right go to top of hill, pass 2746 Lewis Road (pale yellow house with Red barn with "Tidy Hill Farm" sign). Just ahead pull off on right to field. (white box van parked there.Park on road or top of hill.

Parking: Please park on left as you enter field, and please make sure not to park on cropland.