Past Warner Grant Reports

Cost-effectiveness of caterpillar tunnels for mitigating impacts of heat on production of leafy greens in central Ohio

PI: Timothy McDermott, (Agriculture and Natural Resources, OSU) Farmers: Michelle Nowak and Teddy Brown (Franklinton Farms, Columbus, OH)

To evaluate cost-effective ways of mitigating the impact of heat stress on small-scale production of salad greens in central Ohio.

Seeding for Success: Collaboration to Enhance Sustainability through Using Seed Mats

PI: Matt Kleinhenz (Horticulture and Crop Science, OSU) Farmers: Vincent Owens (Fulfillment Microfarms Ltd., Mansfield, OH), Tim Hicks (Happy Mouth Microfarm, LLC, Mansfield, OH), Marqua Myers (Glennhaven Farm, LLC, Fredericktown, OH), Matthew & Amanda Stanfield (GrowFourth Urban Farm, Mansfield, OH), Judith Wheeler (Gro-Naked Farm, LLC, Lexington, OH), Shayne Marhofer (Willow Springs Farm, Mansfield, OH), Justin Ocheltree (NECIC, Mansfield, OH) and Walt Bonham (The Food Lab, LLC, Mansfield, OH)

Seed mat technology has the potential to help growers of micro-/baby leafy vegetables meet soil health and farm productivity goals. Farmers lack the input required to utilize seed mats most effectively. This project will help optimize seed mat design and usage, especially among SD, LR, and B limited resource farmers.

Improving Chestnut Graft Success Using Biological Controls

PI: Melanie Lewis Ivey and Mitchell Roth (Plant Pathology, OSU) Farmer: Greg Miller (Route 9 Cooperative)

Chestnut production is a burgeoning sector of U.S. sustainable agriculture, supporting both fresh market and value-added industries (Hunt et al. 2012). Commercial nurseries in the U.S. estimate that 200-400 new acres of chestnuts are planted every year, with most growers in Ohio planting Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) or Chinese chestnut hybrids (Revord et al. 2022). Chestnuts are a perennial food crop that promote soil stability, carbon sequestration, and wildlife biodiversity.

The objective is to test commercially available biological control and plant health booster products for their impact on graft success including plant growth promotion and alteration of endophytic communities.

Evaluating low-cost approaches to optimize yields of spinach and lettuce during hotter summers.

PI: Timothy McDermott, (Agriculture and Natural Resources, OSU) Farmers: Michelle Nowak and Teddy Brown (Franklinton Farms, Columbus, OH)

The aim of this project is to test the effectiveness of affordable ways to mitigate the negative impacts of summer heat on heat-sensitive crops and thereby increase summer yields for small farms. New production techniques during summer’s hottest months will facilitate produce sales at competitive price points for any farmer who is able to implement these affordable solutions.

Open Report

Pesticide Stewardship using Intelligent Sprayer Technology in the Apple Orchard.

PI: Melanie Lewis Ivey (Plant Pathology, OSU) Farmers: Andy Lynd (Lynd Fruit Farm) and Bill Bauman (Bauman Fruit Farm).

The objective of the proposed study is to validate the efficiency and effectiveness of intelligent sprayer technology in reducing pesticide use (by 50% in preliminary trials) while controlling diseases and insect pests at a commercial scale in two commercial apple orchards in Ohio and to validate and promote the use of this new technology to other producers across the state.

Open Report

Production of yellow perch for local markets in North-East Ohio using intensive culture system.

PI: Konrad Dabrowski (Animal Sciences, SENR, OSU) Farmers: Kevin Fisher, John Grayson, Harry Speith (Pleasant Valley Fisheries)

In this proposed project, we intend to design, construct, and evaluate a filter and sprayer recirculating setup (FSRS) that could be operated in a wide variety of already established culture tanks to support the conditions needed for successful yellow perch larvae culture. If successful, newly established as well as experienced yellow perch producers could have a practical and lower-cost alternative (complementary technology) to the pond-based larvae culture method during a regular season.

Open Report

Beneath the Surface: Investigating soil microbial communities and enzyme activities in a Canfield silt loam under various tillage and fertilizer management systems.

PI: Heather Neikirk (OSU Extension, Stark County) and Kathleen M. Bridges (Post-Doctoral Scholar, OSU) Farmers: Brian Simon, Bruce Baltzly, John Ickes, Jonathan Norman, Scott Hauenstein, Kenny Blim, Cliff Linder, Joyce Brahler, Alex Dragovich, Ron Frank, Ben Klick, Sharon Keister.

The objective of this proposal is to determine how management methods affect soil biological communities and their function on small farms. The measurements could reveal both the activity and diversity of the soil microbial community. The team will study how soil biology is affected by management in an on-farm setting, which can ultimately impact environmental and agricultural sustainability and profitability.

Open Report

Application of Shallow Geothermal System for Season Extension in Ohio Greenhouses.

PI: Ajay Shah (Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering, OSU) Farmers: Tonni and Graham Oberly (Oaks and Sprouts Limited)

This project will pilot an earth to air heat exchange system in a medium-sized producer greenhouse in Ohio, which will provide a blueprint for future research and installation of the earth to air geothermal greenhouse systems in Ohio, and develop a spreadsheet-based tool to help demonstrate the efficiency of shallow geothermal resources for energy resource consumption reduction and increased profitability of farms.

Open Report

Disease Management for Sustainable Chestnut Production

PI: Melanie L. Lewis Ivey (Plant Pathology, OSU), and Amy C. Miller (Plant Pathology, OSU), Farmers: Route 9 Cooperative (Carrollton, OH)

Blossom end rot (BER) of chestnut, which causes blackening of the kernels and shells, has become a significant economic detriment to chestnut production in Ohio since 2010. This project aims to explore host resistance of Chestnut trees to BER and to decipher the initial stages of infection. All studies will be conducted in partnership with Route 9 Cooperative, an agricultural cooperative of commercial chestnut orchards comprising over 200 acres in three Ohio counties for the purpose of exploring more sustainable options for controlling BER in commercial chestnut orchards.

Open Report

Using Shade Cloth and Sprinklers to Mitigate Summer Heat for Leafy Greens

PI: Tim McDermott, (Agriculture & Natural Resources, OSU), Farmers: Michelle Nowak and Teddy Brown (Franklinton Farms, Columbus, OH)

The aim of this project is to test the effectiveness of three simple, low-tech practices to mitigate summer heat and thereby increase summer yields of heat-sensitive crops at Franklinton Farms in Columbus, Ohio. The project will investigate the use of shade cloth and evaporative cooling via regular intervals of micro-sprinkler watering.

Open Report

The following projects were selected for funding in 2020 and deferred due to pandemic - reports: pending

“Rabbit Grazers” Rolling Rabbit Coops

PI: Jacqueline Kowalski (Agriculture and Natural Resources, OSU Extension), Farmer: Kyla Werlin (Oxbow Orchard, Valley View, OH).

The goal of the proposed work is to determine the capabilities of “Rabbit Grazers”, a mobile coop that allow the rabbits to roll the coop forward when forage is desired. The specific objectives of the project are to: 1) determine how many rabbits can each Rabbit Grazer coop sustain, 2) verify if the coop allows rabbits to access enough forage to produce high-quality meat and to 3) establish whether the use of the coop can make pasture raising meat rabbits more sustainable for farmers.

Collaborative research to Improve Wild Pawpaw (Asimina triloba L. Dunal) Fruit Production

PI: Matthew Davies (Soil and Plant Community Restoration, OSU), Farmer: Ron Powel (Foxpaw Farm, Cincinnati, OH), and Chris Chimel (Integration Acres, Athen, OH).

This project aims to test whether targeted stand management focused on increasing light availability, reducing competition, and increasing genetic diversity will increase pawpaw fruit production and quality. This will be achieved by testing the efficacy of three management approaches for woodland pawpaw production: 1) increasing light availability and reducing nutrient limitation to improve fruit production 2) enhancing the genetic diversity of patches by successfully establishing commercial cultivars; and 3) establishing new pawpaw patches through direct seeding.

Effects of Foliar-Applied Plant Nutrients on Palatability & Intake of Forage by Dairy Cows

PI: Douglas Doohan (Weed Management in Fruits & Vegetables, OSU), Farmer: Marlin Miller (Organic Valley Farmer, Millersburg, OH).

The goal of the proposed work is to conduct a “choice” grazing experiment from mid-April to early July 2020 to measure the effect of foliar-applied nutrients on palatability and intake by dairy cows. Research design, conduct, and interpretation will be done in full collaboration with local organic dairy producers, and experimentation will take place on an organic dairy farm in Holmes County. Results will be shared with the farming, research and extension communities by means of a pasture walk while the experiment is underway, preparation of a farmer oriented final report, and an end-of-project meeting

Integrated No-Till Cropping Diversity to Control Topsoil and Nutrient Loss

PI: Rafiq Islam, (Soil, Water, & Bioenergy, OSU), and M.A. Rahman (Soil, Water, & Bioenergy, OSU), Farmers: David Brandt (Brandt Family Farms, Carroll, OH)

This project proposes to establish a long-term study to evaluate the potential of NT cropping diversity with cover crop blends to decrease topsoil and nutrient loss, improve soil health, and support farm productivity relative to CT cropping diversity with and without cover crop blends. A split-plot experiment, with two tillage systems as main plots and two cropping diversity as subplots in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, will be established with Bt corn and Roundup-ready soybean.

Past Warner Grant Reports

2022

Cost-effectiveness of caterpillar tunnels for mitigating impacts of heat on production of leafy greens in central Ohio

Seeding for Success: Collaboration to Enhance Sustainability through Using Seed Mats

Improving Chestnut Graft Success Using Biological Controls

2021

Evaluating low-cost approaches to optimize yields of spinach and lettuce during hotter summers.

Pesticide Stewardship using Intelligent Sprayer Technology in the Apple Orchard.

Production of yellow perch for local markets in North-East Ohio using intensive culture system.

Beneath the Surface: Investigating soil microbial communities and enzyme activities in a Canfield silt loam under various tillage and fertilizer management systems.

Application of Shallow Geothermal System for Season Extension in Ohio Greenhouses.

2020

Disease Management for Sustainable Chestnut Production

Using Shade Cloth and Sprinklers to Mitigate Summer Heat for Leafy Greens

The following projects were selected for funding in 2020 and deferred due to pandemic - reports: pending

“Rabbit Grazers” Rolling Rabbit Coops

Collaborative research to Improve Wild Pawpaw (Asimina triloba L. Dunal) Fruit Production

Effects of Foliar-Applied Plant Nutrients on Palatability & Intake of Forage by Dairy Cows

Integrated No-Till Cropping Diversity to Control Topsoil and Nutrient Loss

2019

Is Foliar Feeding an Economical Way for Organic Dairy Farmers to Boost the Quality and Quantity of Forages?

Development of a Stand Assessment Decision-Support Tool for Small Grain Farmers in Ohio.

2018

Is Foliar Feeding an Economical Way for Organic Dairy Farmers to Boost the Quality and Quantity of Forages?

Optimizing Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation to Increase Ohio Strawberry Productivity. (Progress Report)

2017

Drone Brood Removal for Varroa Mite Control in Bee Hives

Prevalence of Streptomycin-reistant Erwinia amylovora in Ohio Apple Orchards

Soybean Variable Rate Technology to Improve Yield, Economic Return and Harvest Efficiency

Increasing the Yield and Quality of Stockpiled Forages

2016

Improving the Productivity and Quality of Woodland Pawpaw Production in Ohio

Augmentative Biological Control of Spider Mites on Hops

Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation to Improve Soilborne Disease Management for Ohio Vegetable Growers

2015

Farmer-centered Evaluation of OMRI-approved Microbe-containing Products

Maximize Continuous No-Till Sustainability with Cover Crop Blends and Zeolite

Evaluation of the Effect of Humic Acid Application on the Yield and Quality of Alfalfa Forage

2014

Early Broadcast Seeding of Cover Crops into No-Till and Conventional Till Corn

Addressing Labor Requirements and Broiler Performance Issues in a Pastured Poultry Production System

More Food And More Weeks – Evaluation of On-Farm Budget Friendly Produce Storage Methods to Extend Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Seasonal Share Lengths to its Members

Sustainable Mushroom Production for Small Scale Specialty Crop Growers

Season Extension with November Seeded Cool Crops

2013

Improving Manure Nutrient Utilization through Direct Application to Growing Crops

Participatory Plant Breeding of Crops for Organic and Sustainable Farming in Southwest Ohio

Cover Crop Demonstration Plots for Family Farm Field Day

Comparing the Effect of Different Organic Fertilizer Regimes on Garlic Bulb Size

2012

Vinegar as an Organic Herbicide in Naturally Grown Blueberry Production

Utilizing Multiple Water Systems for Small Scale Livestock Operations in a Water Deficit Area: Pumping Water from the Cuyahoga River

Enhancing Sustainability of Freshwater Prawn Production in Ohio

Aquaponics for High Tunnels – Developing a Design and Demonstration Unit for Local Food Production

2011

Using Leaf Humus as an Alternative Planting Material at the East Coit Urban Farm Project

Preparing farmers to meet crop quality goals

Liquid Gold - Utilizing the Waste Product Whey from Ohio's Artisan Creameries as a Farm Based Feed Supplement in the Production of Whey Fed Pork and Cabrito (Goat)

Herbicide Carryover Injury of Ohio Cover Crops following Corn, Soybean and Wheat

Pesticide Contamination and Honey Bees: Determining the Diversity and Concentration of Compounds found in Hives Located Across Ohio Agricultural Landscapes

2010

Growing perennial grasses for biofuels on marginal land amended with municipal waste biosolids and flue gas desulfurization gypsum

Fall through Spring Sustainable- Organic Lettuce Production in Ohio

2009

Soil Nutrient Contribution to Perpetual Warm Season Grasses

Successful Transitioning to No-Till Corn-Soybean Rotation with Cover Crops for Home-Grown N, Weed Control, and Soil Quality Improvement

Community Supported Agriculture Integrates Sustainable Agriculture

Utilization of Companion Planting to Attract and Maintain Populations of Arthropod Natural Enemies of the Lepidopterous Pest Complex of Sweet Corn

2008

Evaluating the Potential of Strawberry Runner Tip Production in Ohio

Developing Targeted Risk Communication Efforts for the Management of Food borne Disease Among Minority and Small to Midsize Vegetable Producers

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