INNOVATION

Consumers may know that Scenic Valley Farms has been on the cutting edge of the plow-blade when it comes to innovative agricultural production; but what the general public might not know is how deep that blade has delved into the soil. Since the farm was first established in 2009 we have been doing Research & Development projects both using our own resources and Federal and State grants.  (See About Us for more information about these grants.)
What follows is a veritable catalog of our greatest hits:

SARE Grant: Growing Blackberries Organically under High Tunnel for Winter Protection and Increased Production

The project determined whether blackberries could be organically grown for commercial production in a Southwest Wisconsin, a zone 4b climate, in high tunnels. The project also determined whether high tunnels would increase the yields. Several blackberry cultivars were chosen and planted in a high tunnel to determine which berries would do the best relative to surviving the winter and cultivating the best yields.
Project Duration: May 2009 to Nov 2010.

Management and Control of the Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) on Berries

We used high tunnels to manage and control the spotted wind drosophila (i.e. fruit fly) infestation on berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and true fruit such as peaches.
Duration of Project: May 2013 to December 2014.

Management of Late Blight and Leaf Mold Diseases on Tomatoes in High Tunnels

Bottom of FormWe researched methods to manage and control Passalora fulva (Leaf Mold) and Phytophthora infestans (Late Blight) diseases that negatively impact tomatoes and potatoes in Northern regions. The research focused on using high tunnels to prevent rapid population buildup of these two diseases in tomatoes.Top of Form
Project Duration: March 2017 to December 2017.

Bring Back the Raspberry

Growing raspberries for commercial production had been all but eliminated in the upper Midwest states of Minnesota and Wisconsin—until now. This project sought to provide outreach to bring them back. In 2014 the spotted wing drosophila (SWD) showed up on Scenic Valley Farm (SVF). SVF developed a method to manage/control the SWD. Through this project we shared information on the SWD with other growers, who thanks to our management of the SWD have started to grow raspberries and other berries in the late summer, fall, and early winter.
Project Duration: March 2020-December 2020.

USDA SBIR Phase 1 and 2 Grants: Environmental Management System and Solar Thermal for High Tunnels – SBIR Phase 2

Growers who adapted high tunnel technology lacked precise automated control of the growing environment. During Phase I, Scenic Valley Farms (SVF) researched and developed integrated technologies tailored for high tunnel agriculture that are meant to address this problem by merging solar thermal technology with automated environmental management. For Phase II of the grant, SVF sought to modify the prototype controller developed in Phase I so that it can monitor and manage multiple tunnels for small, diversified farms through a method of retrofitting tunnels with the thermal technology, thus making the high-tunnel process more efficient and cost-effective.
Duration: June 2013-Dec 2016.

SBIR Grant-Phase 2: A Scalable Environmental Controller with Integrated Solar Thermal Storage and Extraction for Field Protected Agriculture

Scenic Valley Farms developed a system that allows produce growers in northern climates to double their growing season and thereby permit two crops to be harvested in a single season. The system extends the growing season in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin from 4.5 to nine months. The system permits new types of crops to be grown in northern regions such as thornless blackberries that are mainly grown in the southern U.S., as well as ginger and turmeric which is produced in semi-tropical regions. The system eventually will generate sufficient yields growing certified organic strawberries and selling them in the much larger conventional markets. By merging solar thermal technology with automated environmental management, high tunnel technology will impact US agriculture by making high tunnel processes more efficient and cost-effective.
Duration: March 2016-Dec 2018.

SBIR Grant-Phase I: Vertical Growing System Using Season Extending Technology, Temperature Control and Soil Based Substrates

Vertical growing systems allow high-density crop production, which increases yields per square foot while conserving natural resources. They have traditionally been used in conjunction with hydroponic methods, which often diminish produce quality and restrict the number of growers who adapt the technology. The primary goal of the project was to research methods that more than double berry yields while increasing berry size. We researched and developed soil-based methods that increase plant densities compared to field cropping, resulting in a turnkey system that can be used by growers in the United States. The project compared traditional methods of high tunnel strawberry production in the region and hydroponic vertical methods in other regions to wholly novel vertical methods that use a soil-based medium. This vertical soil based production system allows locally grown strawberries to be available to both organic and conventional markets for seven months a year rather than one or two months.
Duration: Nov 2018 – June 2020.

CIG Classic Grant: Growing Strawberries in a Soil Based Vertical Stacked Pot System for Urban Agriculture

Through the use of vertical growing systems that allow high density crop production, this project researched and developed soil-based methods that increase plant densities compared to field cropping, improve strawberry taste compared to hydroponic grown berries while trying to maintain the individual plant yields compared to field grown. It also sought to improve vertical stack technology to more efficiently recirculate irrigation water.

Proposal for a Turnkey Vermicomposting System

Produce farms are challenged by the ability to locate sufficient quantities of nutrient rich compost at a reasonable price. However, rather than being trapped by current market prices and shipping costs, farmers can use a turnkey vermicomposting system on their own farm. Such a system would allow the grower to produce in sufficient quantities of worm compost at less than the market price. The compost would be available when needed, even in the winter when high tunnel preparation normally occurs. For inputs the vermicomposting system can use locally available manures such as horse and dairy, its own culled plant material, and also food waste. The proposed vermicomposting system would be designed and developed in two phases: In Phase I, the project would research compost inputs developed from the proposed database, after which in Phase II, the resulting system design would be presented for sale to growers. In additions Phase 1 would research and design a vermicompost system. The proposed vermicomposting system also promises commercial opportunities. Scenic Valley Farms is working to manufacture the system’s components as a retail package for growers. The grower in turn has an opportunity to profit commercially from the system by generating a surplus of compost which can be sold for a profit to other rural and urban growers. In fact, food waste collection businesses already exist in certain cities, like the Growing for Good Collection in Viroqua WI.
Duration: June 2020 – Feb 2021.

Events

Come on down to the farm! Join us for an open house on September XXXX, 2020. A good deal of our produce is just coming into its own at this time, so you’ll find it a “ripe” time to visit Scenic Valley Farms!