On July 19th, the Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District co-hosted a demonstration and learning event with the Land Care Cooperative, Vermont Grass Farmers Association, and UVM Extension at Does' Leap farm in Bakersfield, VT. Thirty-six farmers, technical service providers, agency staff, and organizational partners attended the event to learn about the VT Ripsower - a combined seed drill, biostimulant applicator, and subsoiler, developed on Vermont dairy and beef grazing farms as part of a whole-system program for healing land, increasing productivity, and practicing total infiltration farming. This implement is designed to simultaneously decompact soils, reconnect subsoil and topsoil, plant a high diversity of deep-rooted forbs into the rips, and spray seeds as they are sown with custom-made liquid biostimulants and biofertilizers.
The Ripsower should not be confused with the simplistic use of subsoilers to temporarily, mechanically alleviate compaction. Much like the use of a bone saw is only one part of brain surgery, the full potential of the VT Ripsower is realized within a knowledge-intensive and skilled farming strategy called Keyline soil formation, which includes synthesis of:
sowing of deep-rooted broadleaf plants in loosened soil
tillage relative to topographic contours
application of custom microbial, plant, animal, and mineral ferments
strategic fertility additions
forage harvesting via planned grazing and haying
The event began with a round of introductions, a description of the Ripsower components, and then a detailed presentation by Abe Collins of the Land Care Cooperative explaining the theory and principles of Keyline soil formation, evolution of the Ripsower, and an overview of the Cooperative. This was followed by a field demonstration of using a laser lever to mark out a ripsowing contour guideline using Keyline design principles, adjusting settings on the Ripsower for effective implementation, and then using the Ripsower on one of Does Leap's hayfields. The event ended with reflection on lessons learned and new questions to ask and explore! Check out the videos and images from the event below, as well as resources shared by the Land Care Cooperative following the event!
Thanks to all who contributed to making this event a success, including Missisquoi River Basin Association and Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic Committee, and Healthy Roots Collaborative! And thanks to all who attended to learn, ask questions, and participate in land healing!
Keyline resources:
A few resources on fermented inoculants (as used in the liquid system):
5 Steps for Making Inoculant A very simple through of the steps to make lacto serum, SPICE compost inoculant, and hydrolysates Bioferments, Biostimulants & Biofertilizers: Making them on the farm Basic recipes for making bioferments, biostimulants, and biofertilizers Static Pile Inoculated Compost Extension (SPICE) Background on SPICE composting and instructions on making, managing, and using your compost
VT Ripsower in action - tractor driven by George Van Vlaanderen of Does Leap.
Trailing behind the VT Ripsower with workshop attendees walking behind implement. Three rips being created along keyline path designed using laser lever.
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