There has been a cover crop at the Rogue River Energy Farm test site since late September. Since then it has shot up considerably and has produced excellent biomass and beautiful flowers for the bee hives located at the site. The soil has been slowly drying out during April as the temperatures have reached highs into the low 80’s. Since most of the soil seemed dry enough to work, it was a good time to turn the cover crop under in order to add the biomass to the soil. Turing the cover crop under will allow the biomass to decompose before the ¼ acre test site is planted in Peredovik Sunflowers later this May or in early June.

This Cover Crop Provides Excellent Bee Forage

The Cover Crop Has Grown Over 3.5 Feet Tall and Should Add Biomass To the 1/4 Acre

Using the 35 HP Diesel New Holland (Running on B-20) To Incorperate The Cover Crop

Cover Crop Mixed With the Soil

I am excited to announce that we will be adding a new Energy Farm site to the network. This site, located on private land in Rogue River, Oregon, is dedicating ¼ acre to the cultivation of Peredovik sunflowers. After harvest we will use a hydraulic press to extract the oil from the seeds. At present, the project is intended to test the Peredovik sunflower in southern Oregon and to produce a bit of oil for cooking. However, a group of high school students have expressed interest in making biodiesel and perhaps the oil generated might be enough for a small batch. As to be expected, the spent sunflower stalks will be shredded and used on-site in compost that is intended to return to the ¼ acre.

This land has been newly reclaimed from the property and had a cover crop of vetch, clover, field peas, rye, and oats planted on it in late September. The soil is clay and in the winter time is saturated with water. In the summer the soil is hard and dry. There is available irrigation for the sunflowers, however, as yet, no perimeter fence. Once the area is adequately drained and fenced, the ¼ acre will be used for the cultivation of vegetables, potatoes, and oats. For this year, the sunflowers will be followed with another cover crop in order to build more organic matter in the soil.

1/4 Acre In Light Cover Crop in January

Irrigation Potential From Two Standpipes and Four Sprinklers

Weather Station at New Rogue River Site

Facing West (Pond in Background)