This past
weekend was a busy one at the Sebastopol
Demonstration Energy
Garden. After a summer of
soaking in sun and filling their stalks and seeds with sugars and starches, our
Dale Sorghum crops went full cycle. From the 212 sq ft. that we had under cultivation
we harvested 9 kg of dry seed and 115kg of sugar rich stalks. From the stalks
that we harvested in addition to the 110 kg of stalk that were donated to us by
Live Power farms (225 kg in total), we produced 10 gallons of sorghum juice. Of
the 10 gallons produced, we fermented 8 gallons and with the other two produced
approximately 57 oz of sweet sorghum syrup; this demonstrates the multiple
possibilities that the crop offers. In addition we were able to utilize the
carbon in the pressed stalks by adding what we didn’t use as a layer in our
sheet mulch as an ingredient to our compost piles. The chickens quickly
consumed the fresh leaves that topped each pile.

It took three
of us approximately three hours on Friday to harvest the stalks and seeds; this
includes removing the leaves from the stalks. The process entailed one man
cutting the stalks at their base with a pair of hand held clippers while
another tied the stalks in bundles and removed the seeded florets which were
processed by a third. The seeds were separated and laid thin upon screens in
the sun to be dehydrated and the stalks were stacked in the shade to be pressed
the next day.

To press the
stalks it required three people an additional 3.5 hours of labor on Saturday. We
used the Improved Chattanooga #12 to press the stalks and caught the juice in 5
gallon buckets; the juice that emerged was a pea green and contained 15% sugar
by volume. By comparing the measured weights (lbs) of bundles of four stalks
with the volume (mL) of liquid that emerged we determined that on average 162.3
ml of juice is produced for every 1 kg of stalk pressed.

Trial	Mass (kg)	Volume Produced (mL)	(mL/kg)
1	3.5	700	200
2	3.25	500	154
3	2.5	400	160
4	3	450	150
5	3	425	142
Average	3.05	495	161.1
Average Production			162.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall
harvesting and processing the stalks required about 21 hours of labor. We
produced 10 gallons at 15% sugar from the 225 kg of stalk that we pressed
giving us a 22.5:1 ratio of kilograms of stalk for each gallon of juice
produced.

 

[video]

 

Data published
in the Alternative Field Crops Manual reports yields of 10 ton/acre for Dale
Sorghum, of which 70% is comprised of the stalk. This is synonymous to 6350.3 kg of
stalk/acre, which would indicate that 282.24 gallons could be achieved for each
acre of Dale Sorghum under cultivation. Seeing that the juice produced from
pressing the stalks is 15% sugar, fermentation should yield 282.24 gallons of mash
at 7.5% alcohol. This shows that from one acre of Dale Sorghum, 21.17 gallons of
200 proof ethanol can be produced; the theoretical yield that they indicate however is over 400 gallons/acre.

Data published by Morris J. Bitzer
at Blairsville, GA, and Quicksand, KY shows yields of Dale Sorghum at
20 tons of stalk/acre, 20321.28 kg stalk/acre, double the yield
proposed by the Alternative Field Crops Manual, whose data was compiled
from Waseca, MN.

Data published by Oak Ridge National Labratory, acquired from 4 different test sites in Indiana and Alabama, reported yields of 22.2 Mg/ha (9.9 tons/acre), similar to that published by Alternative Field Crops Manual.

Data Published by Texas A&M Extension agronomist, Juerg Blumenthal said the highest yield he'd acheived was 12.4 tons of dry
matter per acre with the production of 395 gallons of ethanol per acre.

No indication of the
proof of alcohol produced was provided in any of these studies, but I
do not see how it is possible to yield such high volumes per acre. In each case either the juice pressed from the stalks is of a higher
sugar percentage, their method of pressing is more
efficient, or the sorghum is being grown in higher densities; none of
this information was provided. Somehow, in each case, higher volumes of
ethanol per acre were produced from lower masses of stalks per acre

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed yields of sorghum stalk/acre: 10 ton/acre, 12.4 ton/acre, 22.2 Mg/ha (9.9 tons/acre), 20 ton/acre

Average = 13.075 ton per acre

1 acre = 43559.46 sqft

Harvested 212 sq ft = 0.005 acre

0.005 * 13.075 = 0.065 ton/acre

1 ton = 907 kg

Harvested 115 kg stalk = 0.127 ton stalk/0.005 acre = 25.4 ton stalk/acre

*25.4 tons stalk/acre being grown on site > 13.075 ton/acre proposed yield

 

Proposed yields of ethanol/acre: 400 gallons of ethanol/acre, 395 gallons

Average = 397.5 gallons ethanol/acre

Produced 10 gallon juice from 225kg stalk, of which 115 were grown on site

115/225 = 0.51 * 10= 5.1 gallons juice produced from grown sorghum

1 acre/0.005 acre = 200 * 5.1 gallons of juice produced = 1020 gallons of juice/acre

15% sugar will ferment to 7.5% ethanol

1020 gallon juice/acre * 7.5% ethanol after fermentation = 76.5 gallons ethanol/acre

*76.5 gallon of ethanol/acre produced < 397.5 gallon ethanol/acre proposed. This data correlates more with the projected 21.17 gallons of ethanol/acre that I proposed based on the obtained 22.5 kg stalk:gallon juice ratio and the assumption that starting with a 15% sugar content will produce a 7.5% alcoholic mash after fermentation.

 

Sorghum is a drought tolerant plant is similar to both corn
and sugarcane and is our highlighted energy crop at Brookside Energy Farm in Willits and
the Energy Garden
in Sebastopol. Like sugar cane the stalk is
filled with sweet juice and can be pressed to make syrup. This crop is special
because it is capable of simultaneously producing both food and biofuel and
provides stacked functions
including:

1. Grain for human and animal food

2. Juice can be extracted and converted into a high calorie
syrup

3. Juice can be directly fermented and processed into
ethanol

4. Stalks can be shredded and used as a component in
livestock feed

5. Stalks can be pressed into briquettes and burned

6. Stalks can be used as a mulch

7. Stalks can be aerobically composted

Stacking functions is
a critical concept when we begin to think about energy crops or crops grown
primarily to be used as fuel. A crop with stacked functions including (sorghum,
sunflowers, Jerusalem Artichokes) offers the farmer not just one, but multiple
uses.

As many of you have noticed, energy crops are drawing a great deal of
attention because they have the potential to be renewable, and therefore a more
reliable form of energy. However, when growing energy crops we must be ready to make
a choice for food or fuel. While natural sugar and oil are useful (if not essential), we have to
ask whether or not burning these substances is the best use. We also need to
re-think the way that biofuels are made.

Many studies have shown that the net energy gain with biofuel
is very slim, and this is especially the case when inorganic fertilizer, pesticides,
and coal or natural gas is used for crop production and processing. When you
then add the cost of transportation of these fuels from the refinery to the
pump then the carbon neutrality and energy profit is slim to none.

In response, the Energy Farm Program is experimenting with
sorghum because it is unique and has the potential to provide both food and
fuel. Furthermore, we want to contrast local, organic biofuel against the
industrial model to see if we might achieve a net energy gain by using natural
methods for soil fertility, crop cultivation, and harvest. Once processed this
crop is intended to support further agricultural activities or to be used by locally,
reducing extraneous transport and lost energy.

As the crops grow, we are racing to equip the garden with the tools required for the production of ethanol as a fuel source.

Ethanol Production

1. Fermentation

To produce ethanol from the crops that we are growing we must first mascerate and press the sugar/starch rich part of the plant into what is called the wort.

By bringing the wort to a boil in a stainless steel kettle we are able to kill off the bacteria and other microbes that would compete with the distillers yeast that we introduce once the wort has cooled down. The quicker the cooling process the better; this reduces the risk of bacteria reestablishing residence in the mixture. Once the yeast has been added the contents of the kettle are refered to as the mash. It is the mash that we add to our airtight fermentation containers and allow to ferment for 1-3 days.

Before adding the yeast it is important to check the temperature of the mixture. Yeast prefers temperatures of 80-90 degrees farenheit.

Before adding the yeast it is important to check the sugar content of the mixture. Because yeast converts about half of the sugar to alcohol (the other half into CO2) and because yeast commonly perishes in alcohol percentages of 15% and higher, it important to dillute your wort to sugar percentages of 20-30%. By adding cooled sterilized water you can quickly cool the wort while reducing the sugar content.

 

C6H12O6 → 2CO2 + 2C2H5OH

Before adding the yeast it is important to check the pH of the mixture. Yeast performs best at a slightly acidic pH of 4-4.5. By using lithmus paper and adding an acid or base accordingly this pH can be obtained.

Yeast can be added once the mixture meets these conditions. Allow the mash to ferment for three days before disturbing the anaerobic process.

2. Distillation

After fermentation the mash should have an alcohol percentage ranging from 10-20%. So as to obtain the higher percentages required for running a vehicle distillation is necessary. Using a reflux still, obtaining alcohol percentages up to 95% is possible. The remaing 5% water can be removed using zeolite or corn grain as a filter. Constructing a still and obtaining our experimental distillers license is the next step in our goal of producing fuel from the crops that we are growing at the Sebastopol Demonstration Energy Garden.

Switchgrass: (Panicum virgatum) is a perennial grass native to North America. Because it is native, switchgrass is resistant to many pests and plant diseases as well as being very tolerant of poor soils, flooding and drought. It is easily germinated from seed, and capable of producing high yields with very low applications of fertilizer. Switchgrass makes for a great energy crop because it grows fast, capturing lots of solar energy and turning it into chemical energy which it stores as cellulose. Switchgrass reaches its full yield potential after the third year planted, producing approximately 6 to 8 tons per acre; that is 500 gallons of ethanol per acre. At maturity, widely spaced switchgrass plants can measure 20 inches in diameter at ground level. Switchgrass has a huge, permanent root system that penetrates over 10 feet into the soil, and weighs as much as the above-ground growth from one year. It also has many fine, temporary roots. All these roots improve the soil by adding organic matter, and by increasing soil water infiltration and nutrient-holding capacity.

Miscanthus: (Miscanthus x giganteus) is a tall perennial grass that has been evaluated in Europe during the past 5-10 years as a new bioenergy crop. Like other energy crops, the harvested stems of miscanthus may be used as fuel for production of heat and electric power, or for conversion to other useful products such as ethanol. Because the crop is a sterile hybrid it is established by planting pieces of the root, called rhizomes, which develop into the mature plant. Miscanthus is ready for harvest within 2 years and yields continue to improve until they level off around the 5th or 6th year. Speculating from European data, under typical agricultural practices over large areas, an average of about 3 tons per acre dry weight may be expected at harvest time.

Miscanthus exhibits:

1. Relatively high yields 8-15 t/ha (3-6 t/acre) dry weight.

2. Low moisture content (as little as 15-20%).

3. Annual harvests, providing a regular yearly income for the grower.

4. Relatively good energy balance and output/input ratio

5. Low mineral content, which improves fuel quality.

Jerusalem Artichoke: (Helianthus tuberosus L.) is an annual flowering plant native to North America. It grows 1-3 meters tall with flowers similar to the sunflower but much smaller (4-8cm in diameter). Jerusalem artichokes are grown throughout the temperate world for their tubers, which are used as a root vegetable. The tubers are gnarly and uneven, vaguely resembling ginger root, with a crisp texture when raw. Unlike most tubers, but characteristic of members of Asteraceae (Sunflower family to which it belongs), the tubers store the carbohydrate inulin instead of starch. The inulin is isolated on the basis of its high solubility in hot water; by boiling the tuber and allowing it to cool polysaccharides can be extracted. Yields tend to vary with soil conditions, cultivar and season, but fresh weights in excess of 100 tons per hectare have been recorded, which is around 8 tons per hectare of sugar. For this reason, Jerusalem artichoke tubers are an important source of energy.

Kenaf: (Hibiscus cannabinus) is considered one of the most promising alternatives to virgin, soft, and hard woods for paper production. An herbaceous annual related to cotton and okra, kenaf is a member of Malvaceae (Mallow family).

USDA chose kenaf from among five hundred candidates as the most promising non-wood fiber for pulp and paper production for several reason:

· Rapid growth: Kenaf reaches 12-18 feet in 150 days, while southern pine (A species commonly grown on tree plantations) must grow 14 to 17 years before it can be harvested.

· High yield: Kenaf yields 5-10 tons of dry fiber per acre, or approximately 3 to 5 times as much as southern pine.

· Exceptional papermaking characteristics: Less chemicals, heat and time are required to pulp kenaf fibers because they are not as tough as woodpulp and contain less lignin (an average kenaf plant contains only 9% lignin, while southern pine contains 29% lignin.

· Opportunities also exist for the production of renewable feedstock from Kenaf, as it is such a fast growing plant.

Sugar Beet: (Beta vulgaris L.), a member of the Chenopodiaceae family, is a biennial plant whose root contains a high concentration of sucrose, accounting for 30% of the world's sugar production. During its first growing season, it produces a large (1–2 kg) storage root whose dry mass is 15–20% sucrose by weight. Sugar beets have the potential to produce 30-40 tons of roots per hectare under non-irrigated conditions and 50-70 tons per hectare with irrigation. The research done by the Agronomic University of Bucharest in the South zone of Romania has recorded ethanol production at 5,508 liter ethanol per hectare. The sugar beet may become, in the future an important energy crop.

Soybean: (Glycine max) is an annual legume (Fabaceae). It may grow prostrate, not growing higher than 20 cm (7.8 inches), or stiffly erect up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) in height. Soybeans provide the principal oil being utilized for biodiesel in North America. To produce soybean oil, the soybeans are cracked, adjusted for moisture content, rolled into flakes and solvent-extracted with commercial hexane. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency, one bushel of soybeans yields approximately 1.4 gallons of biodiesel. Soybeans contain about 20% oil, so it takes almost 7.3 pounds of soybean oil to produce a gallon of biodiesel. In addition soybeans enhance the nitrogen content of the soil and provide the soil with many nutrients.

Dale Sorghum: (Sorghum bicolor L.) is an annual tropical grass that is easily propagated from seed. A prolific producer, averaging about twelve feet in height at maturity; sorghum is a short rotation crop, meaning that it can be harvested multiple times throughout the year. Sweet sorghums have been selected for their high sugar content and are normally grown for molasses production. Dale Sorghum is a drought resistant variety of sweet sorghum that requires less intensive irrigation. It is an early maturing (115 day) variety with superior disease resistance to many older common varieties and is well adapted for syrup production, which can be converted to methane or ethanol. It produces on average 40 tons per hectare of cane, 25 tons per hectare of juice, and provides a grain yield of 2-6 tons per hectare. It is estimated that for each ton of cane yield 40 liters of ethanol can be produced, that is 1600 liters of ethanol per hectare of Sorghum.

Peredovik Sunflower: (Helianthus annuus) is an energy and protein rich annual that at maturity (12 weeks after germination), reaches a height of 4 feet. Second only to soybeans, sunflower oilseed varieties are the most important source of high-quality vegetable oil in the world. This Russian cultivar produces small, black seeds that yield more oil than most other sunflowers (approximately 952 liters of oil per hectare). While typical sunflower seeds contain 25–35% oil, the peredovik sunflower can contain up to 50% oil. According to the Duke handbook of Energy Crops, a hundred kilograms of dry seed will yield about 40 kilograms of oil, 15–20 kilograms of hulls, and 40 kilograms of proteinaceous meal.

Peredovik sunflowers provide stacked functions including:

1. Food in the form of filtered oil

2. Oil that can be converted to biodiesel

3. The remaining press cake from expelling can be fed to livestock

4. The flowers are bee forage

5. The dried stalk is a carbon component for compost

Flax: (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an erect annual with slender stems that is grown for its seed and fiber. It is not generally a crop that is spoken of in relation to alternative fuel sources; however, there are groups looking into the possibility of using the long tough stem fibers of oilseed flax as feedstock for large scale burners. Flax seeds contain 20–30% protein, and are the source of linseed oil. Flax straw has a per ton heating value similar to soft coal that is much greater than other crop residues. Not only is the straw cheaper than conventional fuels; it is also carbon neutral fuel; meaning that the plant takes carbon from the air during the growing season to produce the straw, reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. With seed yields of 1000–4000 kilograms per hectare, and reported oil content of 34–37%, flax has the potential to yield 1500 kilograms of oil per hectare.

Corn: (Zea mays L.), the single largest U.S. crop, is increasingly being used as a biomass fuel. It is currently harvested from 30 million hectares within the United States, which is almost ¼ of all the harvested cropland in the country. The average yield of moist corn grain is 8600 kilograms per hectare; that is approximately 150 bushels per acre. According to the National Corn Growers Association, 1.3 billion bushels of corn were allocated towards ethanol production in 2004. David Pimentel, a professor from Cornell estimates that one acre of U.S. corn can be processed into about 328 gallons of ethanol, but planting, growing and harvesting that much corn requires close to 140 gallons of fossil fuels and costs $347 per acre; that is $1.05 per gallon of ethanol before the corn even moves off the farm, meaning that 70% more energy is required to produce ethanol from corn than the energy that ethanol contains. No research has been done; however, as to whether corn may serve as a sustainable energy crop when grown organically and at a much smaller scale. Corn residues, including the stalk and cob may also prove useful in future energy production.

Energy Inputs to Corn Production

1. Nitrogen fertilizers (all fossil energy)

2. Phosphate, potash, and lime (mostly fossil energy)

3. Herbicides and insecticides (all fossil energy)

4. Fossil fuels: diesel, gasoline, liquified petroleum gas, and natural gas

5. Electricity (almost all fossil energy)

6. Transportation (all fossil energy)

7. Corn seeds and irrigation (mostly fossil energy)

8. Infrastructure (mostly fossil energy)

9. Labor (mostly fossil energy)

Buckwheat: (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a short season crop that does well on poor, sandy, somewhat acidic soils. Plants will begin blooming in about 40 days from seeding, with the first seeds mature after an additional 40 days. The seed is an achene, similar to a sunflower seed, with a hard outer shell and soft inner meat. Most of the buckwheat grain utilized as food for humans is marketed in the form of flour but whole grain may be used in poultry scratch feed mixtures as they are high in protein. As well as being a food crop, buckwheat is used for its biomass.

Comfrey: (Symphytum officinale L.) is a prolific perennial herb belonging to the Borage family (Boraginaceae) that has long been recognized by organic gardeners for its great usefulness and versatility, both medicinally and as a fertilizer. Because the majority of comfrey under cultivation is hybridized, it is typically propagated from root cuttings. It is a sturdy plant, reaching a height of 2 to 3 1/2 feet with very large, hairy lower leaves, as much as 15 to 20 inches long. Its roots draw nutrients from deep in the soil to produce the energy rich foliage that offers many methods of application as a fertilizer.

Comfrey offers many uses as a fertilizer:

1. Comfrey as a compost activator

2. Comfrey as liquid fertilizer

3. Comfrey as a mulch

4. Comfrey as a potting mixture ingredient

Quinoa: (Chenopodium quinoa) is grown primarily for its highly nutritious edible seeds, which are small yellow flattened spheres, approximately 1.5 to 2 millimeters in diameter; however, the leaves of the plant can also be eaten. The seed coat contains bitter saponin compounds that must be removed before human consumption, but it is this bitter pericarp that keeps the crop nearly untouched by birds. In addition to containing a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, quinoa’s protein content (12%–18%) is very high, making it an unusually complete foodstuff; this means it takes less quinoa protein to meet one's needs than it does wheat protein. Quinoa is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorous and is high in magnesium and iron; it is gluten free and considered easy to digest. There are about 1480 calories in one pound of quinoa flour or seeds (55.3% carbohydrates, 13.1% protein, 5.8% fat, 13.6% fiber, 9.3% water, and 2.9% minerals).

Amaranth: (Amaranthus sp.) with 60 recognized species, makes up its own family, Amaranthaceae. The herbaceous annual grows 5 to 7 feet, with broad leaves and a showy flower head of small, red or magenta, flowers. The seed heads resemble corn tassels, but are somewhat bushier, composed of tiny (1/32"), lens shaped seeds that are a golden, creamy, tan color. Amaranth resists heat and drought; it has no major disease problems, and is among the easiest of plants to grow. Each plant is capable of producing 40,000 to 60,000 seeds that like buckwheat and quinoa, contain protein that is unusually complete for plant sources. The leaves also are a very good source of vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, riboflavin, and folate, and dietary minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, and manganese. Several studies have shown that like oats, amaranth seed or oil may benefit those with hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Oats: (Avena sativa) are an annual grass that reach 1.3 meters in height. Producing an average of 125 bushels per acre, which is 8,000-12,000 pounds per acre of biomass, oats are primarily grown for livestock feed; in fact less than 5% of the total production in this country is for human consumption (mainly as oat flour). Oat is the only cereal containing a globulin or legume-like protein, avenalins, as its major (80%) storage protein. The protein content of the hull-less oat kernel, or groat, ranges from 12–24%, the highest among cereals. Oats help conserve soil, they require relatively less chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides; they reduce water contamination by agricultural chemicals, and provide nutritional benefits to both humans and animals.

 

An Energy Crop is any crop grown specifically for its energy value. In general there are two approaches to energy crops: growing plants specifically for energy use, or using the residues from plants that are grown primarily for another purpose.

Energy Crops entail either short rotation woody crops, which are fast growing hardwood trees ready for harvest 5-8 years after planting, or herbaceous crops, including both annuals and perennials. Short rotation trees exhibit the potential to be grown as energy crops if they produce large amounts of biomass quickly and can continue to grow after being cut off close to the ground, a feature called "coppicing." Herbaceous energy crops are typically grown for either carbohydrates or cellulose, both of which can be burned and converted to ethanol, but some annuals are grown to produce oil which can also be used to make fuels.

Traditionally capturing energy from biomass required burning the biomass; however, a number of non-combustion methods are available for converting biomass to energy. These processes convert raw biomass into a variety of gaseous, liquid, or solid fuels that can then be used directly for energy generation. The carbohydrates and cellulose in biomass can be broken down into a variety of chemicals, some of which are useful fuels. This conversion can be done in three ways:

• Thermochemical: When plant matter is heated to approximately 55°C in thermophilic digestion systems, (the process typically lasting 12-14 days), it breaks down into various gases, liquids, and solids. These products can then be further processed and refined into useful fuels such as methane and ethanol. Biomass gasifiers capture methane released from the plants and burn it in a gas turbine to produce electricity. This method offers higher methane production, faster throughput, better pathogen and virus ‘kill’, but requires more expensive technology, greater energy input and a higher degree of operation and monitoring.

• Biochemical: Bacteria, yeasts, and enzymes also break down carbohydrates and cellulose. Fermentation, the process used to make wine, changes biomass liquids into ethanol, a combustible fuel. When bacteria break down biomass, methane and carbon dioxide are produced; this methane can be captured and burned for heat and power; while the CO2, and instead of releasing carbon into the air that has been stored for millions of years, does not increase the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere. The digestion process takes place in a warmed, sealed airless container which provides the oxygen-free conditions required for the bacteria to ferment the organic material. The container is heated to 30-35°C and the feedstock remains in the digester typically for 15-30 days. Gas production is less, larger digestion tanks are required but the process tends to be more robust and tolerant

• Chemical: Biomass oils can be chemically converted into a liquid fuel similar to diesel fuel, and into gasoline additives. Oil can be extracted mechanically with an oil press, an expeller, or even with a wooden mortar and pestle. Presses range from small, hand-driven models that an individual can build to power-driven commercial presses. Expellers have a rotating screw inside a horizontal cylinder that is capped at one end. The screw forces the seeds or nuts through the cylinder, gradually increasing the pressure. The oil escapes from the cylinder through small holes or slots, and the press cake emerges from the end of the cylinder, once the cap is removed. Crude oils are easy to produce and, in principles, they can be used in engines but, to be employed, they require engines with a pre-combustion chamber or ad-hoc designed engines.

There are advantages associated with producing energy from perennial biomass yielding crops. Perennials reduce soil erosion as well as the release of soil carbon, both of which are disadvantages related to annual tillage. They achieve this by removing CO₂ from the atmosphere and incorporating it into their plant tissue, especially below the ground in their roots, by what is known as carbon sequestration. Exposure to wind and water erosion occurs primarily during establishment of annual crops and is minimized with perennials. Perennials possess deep root systems that enable them to access more soil moisture and survive frequent droughts that decimate annual crops thereby significantly reducing water requirements Perennials can provide N fixation and provide windbreaks.

Planting this season began in April with the perennial energy crops: miscanthus, switchgrass, jerusalem artichokes, and comfrey. The jerusalem artichokes we started from tubers, the comfrey from root stock, and the miscanthus were purchased at a nursery. As for the switchgrass, I am happy to say that we had great success in directly broadcasting the seed into a 4x10' bed.

Thus far we have planted in addition to those energy crops listed above: sunflowers, sugar beets, soy beans, bush beans, corn, kenaf, and buckwheat. The last couple weeks have involved a lot of planting, and the next couple will continue the trend.

I have attatched a calendar depicting what has been planted and what is yet to come.

At present, the plan is to raise twelve chickens on the farm site at Brookside School. The purpose of raising chickens is to create eggs for local buyers, demonstrate a system that can provide for the food needs of poultry, and, where possible, control insect populations. The site will include an enclosed coop and small chicken yard, with the option of allowing the chickens to both pasture and range as they forage for a majority of their sustenance.

As a general rule, the nutritional needs of chickens include:

1. Grains (a mixture of whole grain, un-cracked grain is good and mixed grain is better than pure corn).
2. Greens (grass, weeds, fresh berries, and other vegetable scraps).
3. Protein (in summer, ranging they get enough bugs -- but in colder weather they need protein supplementation, including soybeans or fava beans, worms, milk, and seeds).
4. Water (chickens need plenty of water and need to have it not only in their pen, but additionally in chicken tractors and near their forage).

There is a special opportunity at the Willits Energy farm to demonstrate a planting arrangement on the western perimeter that serves the dual function of windbreak and forage crop. The western fence line stretches 150 feet and borders a fallow pasture. While designing our annual beds, we have allocated a width of 10 feet from the fence to create the windbreak and forage section. Perennial trees and shrubs will be spaced and interplanted with ground crops that should provide a variety of food from late spring to the middle of October. The plan is that some of the crops will be immediately consumed by the chickens while other crops will have the advantage of storage.

Below is the list of crops that could be used for the western windbreak and under-story:

-Trees:

These will provide the bulk of the windbreak and will be alternated in sequence.

• 5 Mulberry Trees (This tree is wind resistant and provides edible berries as early as the first year).
• 4 Honey Locust Trees (A fast growing tree that provides large, edible seed pods and hard seeds that can be collected and stored for winter use. It also attracts bees).

-Shrubs:

The selected shrub will be spaced between the trees and provide added windbreak for the area left open between trees.

• 8 Siberian Pea Shrub (This shrub is hardy and grows well in drained soils; it requires full sun and will be backed away from the trees. With a large number of them it should provide a certain amount of storable seed if the chickens don’t get to it first.)

-Understory:

These plants that will be sown to provide ground cover and compete against grass under the newly established trees. They will address all three dietary needs and provide greens, additional forage seed, and some grains:

• Clover (It will compete against grass, attract bees, and provide a choice of greens).
• Borage (This flower will also provide greens as well as yield seed).
• Comfrey (It has deep tap roots that bring potassium from deep in the soil. It will be used in the understory of trees and can perhaps be used for composting and green feed).
• Buckwheat and Rye (These grains will be row seeded in various short lengths both in the fall and spring and may provide added material to be composted).
• Favabean (Fava may potentially provide more storable protein for the winter and food in the earlier part of spring).

To support pastured egg layers, we are considering the implementation of various “chicken tractor” designs. A chicken tractor is a movable floorless chicken coop for the purposes of pest control, protection of annual crops from hungry chickens, fertilization, and sheltering the chicken as they forage. Chicken tractors allow the birds to feed in precise areas and can potentially be a useful way to manage forage resources. However, they need to be moved throughout the day and may be too tight a quarters for more than two birds, thus requiring more tractors and more effort to move them. If we don’t use chicken tractors we may consider fencing the forage section with extra wire left over from the perimeter fencing project.

Way Down There is the Western Fenceline

Northwest Corner Behind the Backstop (Potential Coop Location)

Example of a Very Nice Chicken Tractor