Over three consecutive Fridays—October 25, November 1, and November 8, 2024—the community of Coachella and surrounding areas was invited to participate in the ongoing HSP Demonstration Project.
The project primarily aims to target the small-scale okra farming community in and around Coachella Valley. Okra is a winter crop, and at the end of the growing season, the remaining plant residues are usually mowed and disced into the soil, leaving the fields fallow during the summer months. An alternative approach is to implement climate-smart practices during the summer season.
Soil conservation practices, like using cover crops and adding compost, are widely recognized for their benefits to both the soil and the crops. However, before implementing these practices, it's crucial to consider various factors, including the selection of crops, management techniques, and finishing methods, among others.
This study aims to evaluate four cover crops for nematode, nitrogen, and soil health management. Cowpea, sunn hemp, brown mustard, and sudan grass are being compared to a fallow treatment using a randomized block design with four replications.
Harvest days provided an excellent opportunity to connect with various members of the community. It was a pleasant surprise to see individuals with knowledge and experience in agriculture participating in the event. These gatherings help foster connections and build support networks. Additionally, they served as a platform to raise awareness about the services offered by UC ANR and UCCE among individuals who were previously unfamiliar with the organization and whose daily activities do not involve work in the field.
During the event, various topics were discussed, including the proper methods for harvesting okra, the diseases and pests that can affect the plant, and its nutritional and irrigation needs. Additionally, more casual topics were covered, such as the best ways to cook okra, the exchange of recipes, and a conversation about the different roles we each play in the community.
At the end of the event, on the last day, all the volunteers, the station staff, and the project researchers enjoyed some carne asada tacos for lunch and a pleasant chat about the experience of participating in field activities, getting out of the routine, and at the end, we were all able to take home freshly harvested lemons from another project. Without a doubt, a great experience for everyone.
If you are interested in learning more about the project you can check out the latest full article published in the Imperial Ag Brief Newsletter called Pre-Plant Benefits of Summer Cover Crops in Low Desert Vegetable Production.
If you are interested in receiving technical assistance in Riverside or Imperial County for your vegetable production, feel free to contact Dr. Philip Waisen at pwaisen@ucanr.edu
If you are interested in receiving technical assistance on soil conservation practices and learning about funding opportunities to cover the cost of the practices feel free to reach out to the Climate Smart Ag team at climatesmartcesteam@groups.ucdavis.edu