A workshop by Richard Robinson, an organic famer!
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours workshop with Q&A welcome during the walk
Program Type: In-person farm walk
Cost: Free, Registration Required
Maximum Number of Participants: 25 (register early!)
Speakers: Richard Robinson and Jeremy Barker Plotkin
Richard’s Bio:
Richard Robinson has been farming organically at Hopestill Farm for over 40 years. The farm supplies certified organic vegetables in three seasons, as well as certified organic cut-your-own Christmas trees. He has been using leaves and other mulches to eliminate tillage for the past 8 years.
Jeremy’s Bio:
Jeremy Barker Plotkin has been growing using organic practices to build soil health at Simple Gifts Farm for 18 years. He is now part of the American Farmland Trust team, helping connect growers with NRCS funding that supports climate-smart practices.
Description of the Event:
Richard will talk about how he uses leaves as mulch, what he sees as the benefits versus other approaches to no-till growing, practical aspects of acquiring and moving leaves on the farm, challenges, and other aspects of fertility and soil organic matter management. Richard will also discuss how he uses leaf mulch for garlic. Jeremy will speak about his work and AFT’s other soil health initiatives.
This event is co-sponsored by the Middlesex Conservation District (MCD), Hopestill Farm, and American Farmland Trust.
