“Chadwell Brian grew up farming and is now cultivating 4 acres of his family’s land, growing several varieties of dry-land rice and dried beans. Like most farmers, he is a tinkerer, a welder, a mechanic, and an investigator, always considering new ways to sharpen his system.

This season, OAK’s Organic Production Specialist (Sarah Geurkink) provided technical assistance to Brian. They discussed his production systems, his plans for scaling up, and options for fertility, weed, and disease management. Sarah took a few samples for tissue testing and later followed up with resources to help Brian plan for improved efficiency and yields. Sarah also enlisted the help of Dr. Erin Haramoto, weed scientist at the @ukagriculture, to help devise a weed seed bank management plan for the farm.

This fall, Dr. Haramoto and her team (Juan Brocca and Matthew Allen) visited the farm to learn more about the operation, identify () weeds, and discuss weed seed and rhizome management strategies with Brian and his farming partner (and cousin) Tanya Chadwell. The group made great connections and collaborated on an actionable plan for Brian and Tanya to execute over the next few years.

Do you need production assistance? Reach out! OAK can answer quick questions, make referrals to relevant specialists or programs, help with sourcing inputs, and more. Visit oak-ky.org/production-consultation or email sarah@oak-ky.org.” - Organic Association of Kentucky