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New Video on Mechanical Weed Control



N E W S  R E L E A S E


For Release: Immediately

Contact: Beth Holtzman
         802-656-0554


Successful Vegetable Farmers and Their Weed Control Machines Star in New Video


        If you're interested in mechanical weed control but don't have the

opportunity to learn how successful farmers use their tools, here's a new

video for you.

        "Vegetable Farmers and Their Weed Control Machines," is the next

best thing to being there. From sweeps and rotary hoes to flame weeders and

home-made tools, this high-quality, 75-minute video demonstrates many of

the available cultivation implements. It also explains some of the weed control

strategies being used effectively by New England vegetable farmers.

        "Vegetable farmers have considerable knowledge about cultivation

equipment," says University of Vermont Vegetable and Berry Specialist Vern

Grubinger. "This video was produced in an attempt to get some of the

knowledge on film so it could be easily shared."

        Grubinger and University of Massachusetts Weed IPM Specialist Mary

Jane Else worked with UVM videographers to produce the video. Their goal

was to help extension educators and growers improve their knowledge of weed

control equipment. The USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

(SARE) Program provided funding for the project.

        While the video focuses on New England growers, the information

presented is applicable to smaller-scale vegetable farms in many parts of

the country. It shows how the implements work and how producers adapt their

use for production goals and site-specific conditions.

        "We visited nine farmers in three states to get their opinions on

various pieces of equipment and how to use them," Grubinger says. "Direct

market, wholesale, conventional, and organic growers were included."

        The video features plenty of clear, up-close footage of various

pieces of machinery in use on a variety of vegetable crops. Tools

demonstrated include: Buddingh basket and finger weeders, Lely tine

weeders, rotary hoes, rolling cultivars, Bezzerides implements, various

sweeps, as well as backpack and tractor-mounted flame weeders. Some

home-made tools for cultivating the edges of plastic mulch are also

described.

        The nine growers explain how the different pieces of equipment work

and describe how the various tools fit into their overall weed control

strategy. The producers also tell some of the pros and cons of specific

equipment.

        The video is available for $10 including postage. Make checks

payable to UVM Extension and include a note with your name and mailing

address. Send to: UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 590 Main Street,

Burlington, VT 05405-0059.





************************************
Beth Holtzman
Northeast Region SARE/ACE Programs
Phone: 802-656-0554
Fax: 802-656-4656
e-mail: bholtzma@moose.uvm.edu
************************************