Developing a Mid-Scale Organic Vegetable Rotation: Can Summer Cover Crops Maintain Soil Quality?.

Demand for locally-grown organic vegetables is increasing.  Most organic produce in Georgia is grown on farms less than five acres and mid-scale farms may be necessary to increase access through wholesale channels. The Georgia climate can support nearly a year-round growing season and pest pressure is low during the winter and early spring. Our goal was to evaluate two cool-season vegetable rotations using summer cover crops to maintain soil quality, reduce pest pressure and supply (in some cases) nitrogen. We have measured active C and potentially mineralizable N (PMN) to tract soil quality changes over three years. Preliminary results indicate overall active C was increased or maintained in the rotations, but PMN decreaes.  These soil quality measurements are being used with yields, economic returns and disease pressure ratings to provide guidelines for growers on a sustainable organic mid-scale rotation.