Recorded during OAK Virtual Conference 2022.
Ben Abell - Rootbound Farm, & David Gonthier - UK Entomology
There are many potential benefits to the integration of poultry into vegetable rotations, including: improved soil quality and health, which may lead to greater vegetable productivity, and overall farm profit. However, little research has validated these potential benefits. Further, there are many challenges to, and potential costs to integration that may keep many from adopting it. In this session, Ben Abell will discuss his strategy and experience integrating at Rootbound Farm. Additionally, Dr. David Gonthier, Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, will share his team’s research findings from a multi-year study investigating the costs and benefits of integrating poultry into an organic vegetable rotation.
Ben Abell and Bree Pearsall are first-generation farmers operating Rootbound Farm, a 100% certified organic farm in Kentucky, for nine years. They offer organic vegetables, eggs, chicken and grass-fed lamb through a year-round webstore for local pickup and a robust CSA program delivering weekly to over 700 families.
Dr. David Gonthier is an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky. His research seeks to evaluate the viability of agricultural management systems to curtail environmental problems, while maintaining farm productivity and profitability. His current research seeks to: 1) Identify alternative pest control practices that are organic compliant, profitable, and reduce the reliance on insecticide use. 2) Evaluate the costs and benefits of integration of poultry into vegetable rotations. 3) Optimize the profitability of organic, small-holder coffee production in Honduras.
