New Technology to Help Quench Thirsty Crops

Under last year's drought, many of the nation's crops withered. Since then Michigan State University's researchers have been testing a new technology in water-saving membranes to help yield a larger crop this year. So far they have dramatically increased their corn and vegetable production on their test farms by almost 175%.

Developed by Alvin Smucker, MSU professor of biophysics, this subsurface water retention technology uses contoured, engineered films, placed at different depths below the root zone of the plant to retain soil water. Internal drainage is permitted during excess rainfall by proper spacing, which also helps with root growth.

Smucker and Kurt Thelen, along with horticulturalists Mathieu Ngouajio and Ron Goldy will lead teams of scientists, engineers and industrial agricultural experts in implementing the new technology on farms in irrigated sandy regions of southwestern Michigan and the arid regions of the southwestern and the mid western U.S.

The prototype can be used on a broad range of agricultural crops, as well as feedstock and plants grown specifically for fuel production, on marginal lands. SWRT-improved irrigated sands produced 145 percent more cucumbers than did the control fields without the water-saving membranes. As mentioned above,  researchers also dramatically improved irrigated corn production, increasing yields 175 percent.

With last year's drought conditions covering as much as 2/3 of the U.S. Crop yields were cut dramatically and it is believed that chronic drought may become the new normal for the U.S. due to the increasingly changing climate. Fortunately, these researchers are making headway with this new technology, so there's still hope yet to aid in this issue.

James
Garden Media Group

Farming 2.0

In just the past year, we have blogged about urban farming five times.  Obviously, farming has seen a relentless upsurge as both a profession and a pastime.

Cassandra Daily, a trend research firm, has recently discovered how technology is addressing these small scale farmers and helping them do their jobs better.

Sustaination: There are numerous environmental, cultural, and economic benefits to buying local, but the hassle involved can preclude wholesale food buyers from abandoning the mega-farm system. Enter Sustaination, a UK-based social network that connects growers with nearby businesses, in turn encouraging and streamlining local trade.

Farmhopping: Take the crowdfunding capabilities of Kickstarter, add the collaborative spirit of co-ops, and apply the share-model premise popularized by local CSAs, and you’ll end up with Farmhopping, a forthcoming network that lets members buy into Bulgarian farmers’ livestock in exchange for a say in how the animals are handled.

Bucky Box: Software platform Bucky Box is a New Zealand-based “digital operations team” designed to help small farmers simplify the logistical challenge of delivering their produce. Its founders (one of whom was inspired by his work for micro-farm trading network Ooooby) aim to make local, sustainably produced foods more accessible to the public.

GMG Trends Come to Fruition - Nouveau Farming

In 2009 GMG predicted that non-traditional farmers would be flocking back to the "fields."  With the desire to create a community, the urge for home-grown organic food and the world population needing more and more food, we predicted that the generation to answer the call would be our high-tech yet earthly rooted youth. 

That prediction has come true in so many ways.  One of those ways is a new breed of farmers, NPR reports, and they are under 35.  Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture holds a Young Farmers Conference every year.  And for the past 3 years it has completely sold out.  Another way non-traditional farmers are breaking the mold is in major metropolises.   Urban farmers are hitting the window sill running and making a big impact on the quality of life within a city.

The biggest question for the young farmers is WHY?  

Voices from the 2010 Young Farmers Conference from Stone Barns Center on Vimeo.

"Some of these young farmers already have their own farms. Some are apprentices, working on more established farms for a year or two. And others are still just thinking about it. But the overwhelming majority of farmers here at this conference want to farm without chemical fertilizers or pesticides,"says NPR.

Young Farmers get their hands dirty picking parsnips at the
2011 Young Farmers Conference

And NPR asked the same question, Why?

"It was born out of a concern for the environment."

"I wanted to have a real skill and be able to provide my family or my community with a vital element."

"I feel lost when I'm not farming... It's where I find the most peace and harmony in my life." 

"I love being outside.  Amongst the plants and sunshine, that's my office."

No matter the reason, it seems to be one solution to this massive over population and mal-nourishment our world is facing.   And who better than ambitious and innovative people that simply want to change the world?