Mackessy, V. 2024, Putting Plant Science to Practice, Desert Farming Initiative - University of Nevada, Reno

My internship at the Desert Farming Initiative (DFI) has granted me an incredible amount of knowledge on climate-smart farming and has been an all-encompassing learning experience in my academic career. These past five months allowed me to put everything that I have learned on paper into physical practice. Ranging from the initial seeding of plants in the greenhouse to transplanting them into beds and finally to post-harvest removal. Being able to work a full life cycle from germination to harvest is not only rewarding, but allows you to fully understand how an organic system can grow and thrive. 

I started at DFI as summer farm crew earlier in the year, where my focus during peak season was to prioritize food safety precautions pre/post-harvesting, harvesting to meet local demands, and upkeep of the annual crops such as tomatoes and peppers. My transition into the organic farming internship is where I was able to fully refine my skills and implement what I have been learning in the classroom to real work. In all of my classes, such as Principles of Irrigation instructed by Mr. Andrade, one of the critical issues that is discussed is how to use water as effectively as possible. At DFI, we use drip tape which has the highest water use efficiency rate paired with an irrigation schedule that is less frequent but allows for long-timed irrigation events. This allows for the water applied to infiltrate and reach the rooting zone, reducing the evapotranspiration rate and keeps moisture deeper within the soil profile. Besides irrigation events, another reason why this schedule works well is the state of our soil health. In class we discuss how important soil structure and organic matter is, here at DFI we have many ways to promote these factors. Such factors involve leaving the roots of crops in the soil for nutrient cycling and adding compost onto the surface level. If there is one thing my classes did not prepare me for, it would be weeding. In class we are taught about the interactions between weeds and crops, especially in the early stages of the plant's life cycle, but not when to prioritize removal. Using a variation of tools such as a wire-hoe to run through bed tops or a hula-hoe for pathways, I prioritized weeding in beds that were affecting seedling-staged crops where they are most likely be out-competed if the weeds stayed as well as as any weed that was flowering or going to seed. 

Being in my senior year and taking high-level classes, I challenged myself this semester by applying the knowledge I have gained from this internship to class projects and how I would respond in demanding situations. As an example, my integrated pest management course, instructed by Dr. Andrew Nuss, semester project was to complete a pest management strategy plan based on a crop of our choosing. I based my project on my experience with DFI’s 90-ft tomato hoop house and how to identify and manage potential pests with a focus on tomato hornworms and spider mites. These pests are prominent in Northern Nevada, with tomatoes being DFI’s most profitable crop it is extremely important to prevent and control these pests organically via monitoring, cultural practices, and the use of biological control such as predatory insects. 

Climate-smart farming is pivotal to being able to produce crops within the semi-arid climate of Nevada, both by an economic factor and, most importantly, to promote healthy soils, ecological balance, and conservation. One way I promoted climate smart farming situations when preparing a bed for the next succession of crops either during post-harvest bed clean up or pre-planting, minimal tillage was the goal. When tillage was necessary to break up compactions such as in the outdoor plots or to mix compost on the surface layer of the soil, I would use a manual broadfork. Using a broadfork promotes aeration within the soil allowing for better infiltration of water when applied, reducing water usage and prevents further compactions deeper in the soil profile when compared to conventional tillage. 

One of my favorite tasks this semester was planting a cover crop mixture in our outdoor plots; A, B, and D. Using an Earthway seeder; winter rye, Austrian peas/field peas, and hairy vetch were planted, overhead watered, and drip tape was laid. Row covers were then laid on top of these beds to promote germination as well as protect the seeds from wildlife intervention. Cover cropping is an amazing tool in climate-smart farming; it prevents weeds from competition, reduces compaction, and retains moisture in the soil by reducing evaporation, as well as the peas and hairy vetch present are natural nitrogen fixers.

Lastly, I was honored this semester to be invited and included in a student roundtable event with the USDA’s chief scientist; Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, representing both CABNR’s major of Agriculture; Plant Science as well as Desert Farming Initiative. Expressing my passion and ambition for in the future to continue climate smart farming within the state with the future career goal to be employed with the USDA or BLM. 

Desert Farming Initiative has been an amazing experience allowing me to learn and grow alongside the crops in which we plant, the sense of pride and accomplishment is indescribable. This learning experience is all thanks to our farm manager, Garrett Menghini, and all of the incredible staff that have shown me the tips and tricks along the way. My one regret? not applying earlier in my academic career!

sunset over DFI farm
basket full of cherry tomatoes
working in the hoop house picking tomatoes
 

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