TIERRA MIGUEL FOUNDATIONTIERRA MIGUEL FOUNDATION

EducationAgricultureFarmland & Soil

Conservation

The Farm Property in The Farm Property in Pauma ValleyPauma Valley

TMF Location MapTMF Location Map

Our Mission:Our Mission:

Education programs:that increase healthy soils to improve

the nutritional value of food that demonstrate through farming and

gardening methods sustainable, community-based food production for healthy lifestyles

that encourages farmland conservation

Farm ProgramFarm Program

Community Supported Agriculture Community Supported Agriculture and Farm Programand Farm Program

We are a young demonstration farm growing safe, organic, and nutritious produce distributed to over 300 members in Southern California using the Community Supported Agriculture model.

Community Supported Agriculture and Farm Program ~Community Supported Agriculture and Farm Program ~

FARMER FOR A DAYFARMER FOR A DAY

Nutritional and soil conservation components are also available as well as night time astronomy lessons or an afternoon trip to the observatory at Mt. Palomar.

Education ProgramsEducation Programs

Tierra Miguel Foundation currently offers education programs supporting agriculture for all ages.

Education Programs ~Education Programs ~

Farm to School ProgramsFarm to School Programs

This program connects the food in the cafeterias to farms and health so that students can better relate to how their food choices affect their own health.

Funding for this program is provided through purchase agreements and fee for service.

Heifer International & Heifer Nepal visit July 2005Heifer International & Heifer Nepal visit July 2005

Land and Soil Conservation Land and Soil Conservation ProgramsPrograms

An Agricultural Conservation Easement grant is to preserve in perpetuity the agricultural productive capacity and open space character of the property.

Fallbrook Land Conservancy dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rural lifestyle and natural beauty of this area partnered with Tierra Miguel Foundation as the agricultural easement holder and monitor.

Land and Soil Conservation ProgramsLand and Soil Conservation ProgramsSoil Conservation ProjectSoil Conservation Project

July 16, 2005

Mulch Workshop

Workshop ResultsWorkshop Results Farmers know that:Farmers know that:

Woodchips and clean greenwaste are valuable.

High transportation and application costs limit use.

Have to get fertilizer below the high C:N mulch layer.

Irrigation must be adjusted. Small farms need assistance. Quality and cleanliness is critical. Research is needed on application

techniques, pest and fertility questions.

Looked at the Research.Looked at the Research.

Soil Conservation ProjectSoil Conservation Project

Seed funding for this program has been generously provided by an anonymous Foundation and additional funding is provided through fee for service.

Soil Conservation ProjectSoil Conservation Project

Practices are being conducted using tested scientific methods to improve the effectiveness of organic and sustainable techniques and to make information about them available to the general public.

Our goal is to demonstrate that organic and sustainable agriculture are viable and economically feasible alternatives to practices that can deplete the soil.

Soil Conservation ProjectSoil Conservation Project

Study the application of woodchip mulch to avocado orchards as it affects irrigation design, moisture retention and evaporative loss.

The goal of this project is to advance knowledge about the use of woodchip mulch as a tool for conservation of irrigation and precipitation in the major avocado producing areas of Riverside and San Diego Counties constituting 32,860 acres.

Many of these orchards are old and are under consideration for replanting at a time when irrigation costs have increased dramatically.

Thus there is a need to study methods for improving irrigation efficiency and soil conservation for hillside soils where the majoring of avocado orchards are situated.

Avocado production occurs on well drained hills soils due to a need to avoid excessive soil moisture which promotes the major disease affecting yield of avocado which is Phytopthora root

Mechanisms of SuppressivenessMechanisms of Suppressiveness

Improved aeration and drainage in mulch and soil

Lower soil temperatures also favor the tree over Phytophthora

Increase in cellulase enzymes produced by other fungi feeding on the wood mulch, cellulase enzymes degrade the cell walls of Phytophthora

Avocado Thrips Survival in Avocado Thrips Survival in Mulch vs. LeavesMulch vs. Leaves

Mulch and Natural Enemy Treatments Against Avocado Thrips

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Beauveria bassiana

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Soil Conservation ProjectSoil Conservation Project

Soil Conservation ProjectSoil Conservation Project

Soil Conservation ProjectSoil Conservation Project

Soil Conservation ProjectSoil Conservation Project

Sept 11, 2006 Evaporation test using Orchard Mulch

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Mulching on Local FarmsMulching on Local Farms Valley Center citrus 45 acres, 4500 tons.Valley Center citrus 45 acres, 4500 tons.

Mulching on Local FarmsMulching on Local Farms

Mulching on Local FarmsMulching on Local Farms

Mulching on Local FarmsMulching on Local FarmsMinimal mulch cover 100yds/acre.Minimal mulch cover 100yds/acre.

Mulching on Local FarmsMulching on Local Farms45 acres in Valley Center45 acres in Valley Center

Mulching on Local FarmsMulching on Local Farms45 acres in Valley Center - Spreading45 acres in Valley Center - Spreading

Mulching on Local FarmsMulching on Local Farms45 acres in Valley Center - Machinery45 acres in Valley Center - Machinery

Mulching on Local FarmsMulching on Local Farms45 acres in Valley Center - Irrigation45 acres in Valley Center - Irrigation

Mulching on Local FarmsMulching on Local Farms45 acres in Valley Center - Quality45 acres in Valley Center - Quality

Mulching on Local FarmsMulching on Local FarmsPauma Valley PersimmonsPauma Valley Persimmons

Mulching on Local FarmsMulching on Local FarmsPersimmons – Avocados in backgroundPersimmons – Avocados in background

Mulching on Local FarmsMulching on Local FarmsPersimmons – Spread by hand.Persimmons – Spread by hand.

TIERRA MIGUEL FOUNDATIONTIERRA MIGUEL FOUNDATION

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