On June 26th and 28th, NRCS was invited to participate in farm tours for the No-Till Organic Market Garden (OMG) NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) project. The purpose of these tours was to collect soil samples and have discussions about soil health plans with producers who are committed to sustainable agriculture. The program supports a diverse group of small-scale, urban, beginning farmer and ranchers measuring their production over a three-year period with help from the NRCS. We visited several notable farms, including: James Price, 3P Farm; Samantha Starkey, Starkey Farmstead; Sierra Torres & Becks Hilliard, Cicada Calling Farm & Market; Donna Isaacs & Waylon Breaux, DeLaTerre Permaculture Farm; and Anthony Hoff, Heart & Harvest Homestead. They have all been embracing and implementing no-till and organic practices.

A Deputy's Dedication: 3P Farm 

We started the tour on Wednesday the 26th by visiting James Price of 3P Farm in Wisner, LA. James has transformed a once-neglected hayfield into a thriving quarter-acre market garden. As a full-time deputy sheriff, he had to figure out how to balance his normal job duties with cultivating his land by hand. It required a lot of work. "The biggest challenge has been not putting equipment in here, everything was done by hand," James recalls. Initial soil tests revealed compacted ground with low organic matter. This presented a hurdle for plant growth and water retention. But by using no-till methods and cover crops, he has been able to improve the soil health, add organic matter, and build a loyal customer base including restaurants in the area. Nutrient management was also a focal point for James, who employs soil testing to ensure balanced nutrient levels, using organic matter like deep mulch, and compost tea to enhance soil biology and fertility. When the soil is good, so are the crops, and James concentrates on crops that people in the community want. Because of that, he has seen significant revenue returns. He mentioned a nearby restaurant owner who purchases zucchinis from him, saying, "I've made around $600 this summer just from that one restaurant." He's got big plans for the future such as expanding berry production and maybe even starting a nursery.

From Clay to Gold: Starkey Farmstead  

Next up on the tour was Samantha Starkey with Starkey Farmstead in Greensburg, LA. When starting out, Samantha battled hard-packed clay and invasive grass species. "We couldn't even get shovels in the ground," she recalls. In addition to that, there was a shortage of necessary resources, such as reasonably priced hay for mulching. She stayed determined to overcome the obstacles, and embraced no-till and cover cropping. One thing about Samantha is that she thinks outside of the box. She now uses organic matter, like corn husks, for mulching. Her innovative use of organic mulches and focus on soil health paid off, transforming her soil into what she affectionately calls "black gold." Samantha's farm now flourishes with a variety of crops, from watermelons to tomatoes, squash, okra, corn, cucumbers, and much more. Her success extends beyond the farm too. She has partnered with local organizations to distribute produce to those in need, including cancer patients and families with foster children. "Most of what I'm harvesting is already earmarked for people with cancer and going through chemotherapy," she shared. Looking ahead, she plans to expand her farm and continue refining her methods. She is most excited about the potential for her soil to support even bigger array of crops.

Blossoming Ambitions: Cicada Calling Farm & Market 

Not too far from Starkey Farmstead, we visited our final farm for the day, Cicada Calling Farm & Market, owned by Sierra Torres and her partner Becks Hilliard in Hammond, LA. They’ve transformed their leased plot into a thriving no-till vegetable and cut-flower operation. As first-generation farmers without inherited land or equipment, they've faced a lot of challenges but have kept moving forward, embracing innovative practices and receiving support from NRCS programs. Initially, they faced poor soil health from years of over-grazing, severe weed infestation, and pest issues on top of that. "This whole property was horse pasture before we got here," Sierra explained. “It had just been over-grazed for so long…” Despite the challenges, they've found success through intensive cover cropping, movable trellis systems installed within four 16’x100’ high tunnels funded by NRCS, and a focus on high-value crops like Suyo Long cucumbers that yield premium prices. They are already reaping the rewards from no-till practices. "When I go into the soil now, there are so many worms!,” Sierra said about an area heavily covered with cowpeas. Their dedication has expanded Cicada Calling Farm from a quarter-acre plot to four acres in just three years. "We hustle… like we work a lot!,” Sierra admits. But with a lot of work comes a lot of growth. It keeps them motivated to overcome obstacles that may arise. The future looks even brighter as they plan to expand their orchard and try new crops like Roselle Hibiscus for value-added products. Though the learning curve has been steep, Sierra & Becks remain passionate about farming and building a resilient local food system.

Permaculture Power: DeLaTerre Permaculture Farm 

On Friday the 28th, we were back at it again and on to more farm tours! Our first stop was Donna Isaacs and Waylon Breaux with DeLaTerre Permaculture Farm in Eros, Louisiana. Their journey is full of embracing new ideas, putting in hard work, and maintaining a strong dedication to soil health. Through the years, they’ve revitalized their land using permaculture principles and no-till techniques. Impaired soil quality and poor drainage were some of the resource concerns they faced, but hurdles have been overcome through deep mulching, cover cropping, companion planting, and integrated animal systems. Rotational grazing of chickens and pigs contribute to pest management. Regarding companion planting Donna shares, "We have a lot of different companion plants. That's potatoes with pinto beans. And so it's wild. We've really got some diversity in here.” Interestingly, the diversity contributes to the farm's resilience and productivity. Donna and Waylon have been consulting with NRCS experts for years and are experts in their own right. Some of the practices they've put into action have been: reorienting raised beds to work with the land's natural contours; creating strategic drainage; and of course adopting no-till practices to improve soil structure. "We don't till at all," Donna explained. "Our system is that we flail, add compost, and then we'll transplant or direct seed into that." DeLaTerre has NRCS-funded high tunnels, open field crops, a heritage breed pig operation, and an impressive flock of 850 laying hens. They also have ambitious plans for the future. "Our goal is to achieve full on-farm sustainability for animal feed within the next 10 years," Waylon shares. They aim to establish a system that is sustainable and operates in a closed-loop fashion. Donna adds that improving the soil will carry the livestock in a sustainable manner. They really are an inspiring example of how regenerative agriculture methods can turn difficult landscapes into ecosystems that are useful and last.

Harvesting Dreams: Heart & Harvest Homestead 

Last but not least, we traveled to Shreveport, LA to meet Anthony Hoff with Heart & Harvest Homestead. Anthony has made remarkable strides on his farm with the help of NRCS programs. He has a strong desire for sustainable, diverse agriculture that blends traditional farming with innovative practices. In the first year, he battled severe weather, including flooding, pest infestation (particularly squash bugs), and limited equipment for large acreage. He recalls, "I've seen my fair share of 12 - 16-hour days." The load has been lightened though, with help from NRCS. Several strategies have led to improved soil health and increased biodiversity, including a deep mulch system with layers of grass clippings and compost; diverse crop selection; perennial hedgerows; and cover cropping. An installation of a 30’x70’ high tunnel, funded through the NRCS EQIP program has allowed him to protect crops and extend the growing season.Like a mad scientist, he enjoys experimenting with diverse cover crop mixes to enhance soil structure and fertility. Anthony has a vision for his farm, and it makes all of those long days of hard work worth it. "The dream is to have a ‘pick-your-own’ kind of farm," he says. His vision for community engagement and sustainable agriculture is always at the forefront of his mind.

What a week! It was a blast getting to see a diversity of soils and crops at each farm and, of course, getting to know the producers. Through perseverance and invaluable support from the NRCS, they were able to improve their land, which in turn helped restore soil health and revive local food systems. They’ve all faced unique challenges and triumphs, but I think it's safe to say that they share a common thread of determination, versatility, and a commitment to sustainable agriculture.

Are you interested in sustainable agriculture or transitioning to organic production?

There are a variety of NRCS programs that are beneficial to small-scale/urban beginning farmers/producers such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). EQIP is a voluntary conservation initiative that offers producers technical and financial assistance for implementing practices that improve soil, water, air, and animal habitat. It promotes sustainable agricultural and environmental stewardship through cost-sharing and expert guidance. CSP is a voluntary program which supports producers in enhancing and maintaining conservation on their land. It offers financial incentives and technical support to promote sustainable agriculture, increase natural resource management, and enhance environmental quality. The Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) also plays an important role by supporting producers transitioning to organic production offering financial and technical assistance. OTI supports USDA's objective of developing diverse and equitable food systems while encouraging climate-smart agriculture. 

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