org. strawberry and veg. production (tomato, pepper, cucurb. etc)

pmillner@asrr.arsusda.gov
Thu, 2 Nov 1995 20:27:06 -0500 (EST)

Are there any medium-size to large-scale production systems in California
Florida or elsewhere that have a track record for profitable
production/marketing of strawberries, tomato, pepper, etc. in which :

1. Crop rotation is used
2. or Compost (of any type) or animal manure is used
3. or organic mulchs, or green 'smother' crops are used for weed control
4. or compost extracts are applied to soils and/or foliage
5. and NO METHYL BROMIDE is used pre-plant.

I would like to cite a few examples of such systems (giving the acreage,
crop yield(s), and length of time such system has been operating, along
with the specific aspects of the system that appear to be successful in
terms of rotation crops, compost(s): rates, types, and any information
about its maturity or stability. This will be useful to illustrate how
some growers have successfully gone beyond Methyl Bromide and trully
found alternatives. Thanks in advance for any and all examples.

- Pat Millner
USDA-ARS-BARC
Bldg. 318
Beltsville, MD. 20705