On May 14, the CAFF Farm hosted an Organic Weed Management Field Day that brought together 17 participants, including farmers, extension agents, and educators, for a day of hands-on training and technical demonstrations. Designed to support both experienced producers and those transitioning into organic production, the event offered a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience with cultivation equipment, practice weed identification and learn best practices for managing weeds in organic systems.
Among the attendees were two farmers who are currently transitioning to organic production and are receiving direct support from CAFF staff through the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). For them and others in attendance, the field day offered a chance to see the pros and cons of various organic production systems (plasticulture, bare ground, raised bed) and understand the tools and equipment needed to manage weeds in these systems.
The field day was notable for offering participants a rare chance to operate cultivating equipment in active production fields. This hands-on component is uncommon at university research farms, where liability concerns often restrict direct equipment use. To make this experience possible, spring crops had been planted expressly for the event. While a number of cabbages were sacrificed in the process, they served their educational purpose as attendees were able to get the feel for operating cultivating tractors in real-world conditions.
Participants rotated through a series of breakout sessions that addressed key strategies in organic weed control. Dr. Hannah Wright-Smith, Arkansas Extension Weed Specialist, led a weed identification and scouting session that focused on recognizing common weed species and applying integrated management strategies suited to organic systems. Dr. Matt Bertucci, Horticulture Professor at the University of Arkansas, facilitated two demonstrations—one on the impact of cultivation frequency, mulching, and organic herbicides on weed suppression, and another on the use of propane flaming as a targeted pre-emergence weed control method in beets.
Looking toward future innovations, graduate researcher Claire Plassmeyer presented her work investigating the use of robotic weeders. Her demonstration included a discussion of the benefits and limitations of automation in organic production systems, prompting valuable dialogue among participants regarding the feasibility of integrating robotic tools into diversified farms.
The day also featured several field-scale demonstrations led by growers and practitioners. Cailin Irby and Riley Arnold of CAFF demonstrated plastic mulch cultivation techniques and discussed best practices for managing weed pressure in plasticulture systems. Larry Galligan, market farmer and research farm staff, offered insights into carrot and beet cultivation with spider basket weeders, emphasizing the timing and precision required for effective mechanical weed control in direct-seeded crops. Ari Mulkey from CAFF led a session on brassica cultivation with cultivating shovels in bare ground conditions, highlighting cultivation strategies for larger-sized vegetable crops.
Small-scale equipment solutions were also represented. Brendan Sinclair, a mentor farmer with the TOPP program and owner of Snuggle Bug Farm, demonstrated the Power Ox walk-behind cultivator, offering practical guidance on tool setup and use for small- to mid-scale operations. He also demonstrated the Terretek double-wheel hoe as an efficient hand tool option for managing in-row weeds in high-density plantings.
The field day was a collaborative effort that required months of field preparation and equipment calibration. But by allowing participants to operate equipment in real-world conditions, the event fostered a deeper understanding of both the challenges and solutions in organic weed management. We are grateful to all the instructors, attendees, and partners who contributed to making the day a success and look forward to continuing these efforts to support the next generation of organic producers.
If you are interested in learning more about the information covered during the field day, you can visit the event website we created and view our YouTube channel for videos on organic production and operating cultivation equipment. We also have a blog series on cultivating tractors with podcasts episodes that cover these topics.
And if you have any other questions about organic farming in Arkansas feel free to send us an email at arorganicag@uada.edu or fill out this Technical Service Request form.
