At the beginning of November, initial soil preparation began at the Brookside Farm. Soil tests were taken and the results indicated that the soil is teeming with microbial life and lacks nothing in regards to nutrients for the growth of healthy crops. The soil type we are working with is “Felix loam”. Because loam is evenly composed of sand, silt, and clay it has the duel advantage of being able to both hold water and drain when there are no significant water inputs. This loam compacts less than clay, while it containing more nutrients than sandy soils.

We are beginning with healthy soil and intend to maintain it through organic farming methods including cover cropping, crop rotation, and compost teas. Furthermore, the aim is to back away from machine powered soil cultivation and harvest methods which have the disadvantage of soil compaction and large monetary investment in a non-sustainable method of farming.

The acre at Brookside Elementary was an unused baseball field. The infield was markedly more compacted than the sod-covered outfield. Initially, there were doubts that the cover crops would be able to make a dent in the compacted soil that had been turned over only about 2.5 inches. These doubts have been put to rest as the winter rye and barley are beginning to make headed way. Clover and fava were also seeded and they too are beginning to spout. The overturned outfield is already showing significant clover growth.

If you want more information about the soil at the Willits Energy Farm, check out the Brookside Soil Report.

Winter Rye Cover Crop

Barley Cover Crop Growing in Overturned Sod

Crops Sprouting in Overturned Sod and Compacted Infield