Local Producer Integrates a Variety of Farming Systems

John Doppenberg of Jayendee Farms has recently partnered with the Abbotsford Soil Conservation Association (ASCA), as part of the Agroforestry Industry Development Intiative, to establish an agroforestry intercropping demonstration project. John is a great example of a local producer working toward enhanced sustainability by making important efforts to increase farm revenue, improve nutrient management and adopt better conservation practices though an integrated farming system. Jayendee Farms is a 20 acre farm in the Fraser Valley with a small hog production facility. John's farm practices incorporate integrated farming systems that include a hybrid poplar plantation, a poplar intercropping demonstration project, an on-farm composting facility as well as vermicomposting. Each of these systems plays an important role in achieving the goals of conservation and improved economics and nutrient management.

Hybrid Poplar Plantation

Seventeen acres of hybrid poplar were planted on the farm at a spacing of 14 feet. The trees are now going into their eighth year of growth in what is expected to be a 10-15 year rotation and they already exceed 40 feet. The poplars were planted with the intention to increase farm revenue and help utilize manure. Hybrid poplars are known to be good at absorbing & utilizing high levels of nutrients. The poplars on John's farm are thriving in the nutrient rich environment. A significant difference in size can be seen in those trees that regularly receive manure through the growing season relative to those that receive no manure. Those that receive manure exceed 40 feet while those that don't have only reached an approximate height of 15-20 feet. Other local examples of systems that integrate hog production with hybrid poplar production do not exist and therefore the system is still experimental and investigative. But, given the nutrient utilizing capabilities of hybrid poplar, they may be good candidates for improving manure management in intensively farmed areas such as the Fraser Valley.

Intercropping Demonstration Project

In addition to the poplars, John has also recently established a demonstration project to examine improving the utilization of the available land and nutrients within the poplar plantation. The poplars are intercropped with Contorted Hazelnut, red stemmed Dogwood, Oregon Grape and Curly Willow which are plants that are expected to have a high market value and are readily marketable to the floral industry. The floriculture stock was planted between the poplars, leaving access to the alleys for spreading manure. Due to the canopy density and occasional manure application within the plantation, plants chosen for the demonstration needed to be tolerant of both shade and high nutrient levels. Each of the floriculture plants chosen have a desirable quality for the floral industry. The red bark of the dogwood makes it especially desirable during the fall and spring with the greatest marketability at Christmastime. Oregon grape has an evergreen leaf that, like the dogwood, will be marketable during the winter and at Christmastime. Contorted hazelnut and curly willow is highly sought after throughout the entire year and has a very high market value. The harvest of the floral stock will be done by pruning the plants and leaving the root stock intact. After almost two growing seasons the floral plants have received few inputs and yet are thriving. The producer is particularly pleased with the growth of the Contorted Hazelnut especially given the low maintenance and input requirements. The outcomes expected from this project include the development of an initial selection of floral and landscape species that are suitable for intercropping with hybrid poplars, an estimate of the effects of agroforestry practices on farm nutrient balance and, of course, the annual harvest of a high value floral crop.

On-Farm Composting Facility

In addition to the poplar plantation John has also installed a new composting facility on the farm in partnership with Dr. John Paul of Transform Composting Systems. The composting facility utilizes the potential energy in the manure in a process known as Biodrying. The Boidrying composting process is optimized by maintaining low head space, this keeps the environment warm, which helps to maximize moisture evaporation and significantly reduces the volume of the manure. The facility is fully-enclosed, has an aerated floor and an air to heat exchanger is also used to manage the temperature during composting. An auger system is used for mixing the manure as it composts. The liquid hog manure is composted by blending with straw or other bulking agents and the design allows for additional liquid application during mixing. This is a compost mixing system that is low cost, has minimal electrical requirements, operates with minimal headspace, and will allow further addition of liquid manure during the process. John expects to obtain a high quality fertilizer after composting. Research shows that because biodrying is a composting process there is no methane produced. Additionally, because the facility is fully enclosed there is also an opportunity to reduce nitrous oxide emissions by capturing them before they are vented to the outside. In addition to the composting facility John also has a vermiculture operation on the farm in which they prepare worm boxes destined to Vancouverites interested in kitchen composting.

Summary

In summary, this little hog farm is using multiple methods to increase sustainability and improve and integrate nutrient management in conjunction with improving farm productivity and profitability. The hog operation is integrated with a hybrid poplar plantation and floral intercropping project as well as an on-farm composting facility and vermiculture operation. John has partnered with many organizations to bring about so many innovative practices and integrate his farming operations. For more information on these projects please contact Kristine Schlamp, coordinator at the Abbotsford Soil Conservation Association at info@AbbotsfordSoilConservation.com.