The 43,560 Project

July 8, 2016

Beginning Farmer Farm Tour and WorkshopKing William County, VA

Presenters:Susan Cheek, Small Farm Outreach AgentVSU Small Farm Outreach Program

43,560 = The number of square feet in one acre

43,560 Project

This initiative is nothing new.

It is simply square foot gardening on a

commercial scale

GoalTo obtain the maximum yield on

minimum space.To gross an average of $1.00/square

foot of planting space…thus the $43,560

BUT

One square acre (210 ft x 210ft) does not contain 1 acre of growing space

Main Characteristics•Drip Irrigation•Soil Preparation•Close Spacing• Intensive Planting•Year Round Production•Crop Selection

These are applicable to both organic and traditional methods

Tools and Equipment•Specialized Hand Tools for Weeding•Tractor and Tractor Mounted Implements•Two-Wheeled Tractor and Implements•Backpack and Hose-end Sprayers•Elbow Grease

Irrigation•Drip irrigation lines are placed in beds•Each bed can be watered independently•Beds watered as needed based on soil moisture•More efficient use of water

Soil•Soil Testing•The optimum soil pH for most vegetable crops is 6.5•Fertilization•Approximately 27 lbs. or one 5 gallon bucket of Pelletized Poultry Manure per bed (400 sqft.)•Approximately 200 to 330 lbs. or 10 five gallon buckets of compost per bed (400 sqft.)

Close Spacing•4 ft by 100 ft beds with an average of 2 ft between all beds•20 beds approximate one quarter acre of growing space•2-6 rows of plants per bed based on final size of plants

Reduced weeding after establishment of cropMore efficient use of space

Year Round Production•Careful planning•Crop selection•Days to Maturity and Cultivar selection• Issues•Weather •Materials•Scheduling

Crop Selection Considerations

•Labor•Disease and Pest Resistance•Market•Value•Yield•Use•History•The Unknown

Current Activities•Vegetable crops raised using organic methods•Plot worked by Student Interns, Agents, and Volunteers•Partnerships with State and Federal Agencies as well as local non-profit organizations

Current Activities•The principles of this project have been demonstrated at VSU’s Randolph Farm and other sites throughout Virginia•All Produce donated to local causes•The Hope Center in Petersburg, VA•Feeding families and individuals in need

•Tricycle Gardens of Richmond, Va •Healthy Corner Store Initiative

“You just can't beat the person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth

“Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there.” – Bo Jackson

“Don’t go into it – grow into it” – Clif Slade

Thank You

Questions?

Contact Information

Susan Cheek: scheek@vsu.edu