Hey, my name is Nick Volesky
Hey, my name is Nick Volesky

with the Utah State University Extension Integrated Pest Management Program.
with the Utah State University Extension Integrated Pest Management Program.

And we're here at the IPM Demonstration Farm.
And we're here at the IPM Demonstration Farm.

Integrated Pest Management or IPM, promotes
Integrated Pest Management or IPM, promotes

the use of non-chemical options over pesticides.
the use of non-chemical options over pesticides.

A high level of IPM implementation uses multiple
A high level of IPM implementation uses multiple

non-chemical practices resulting in decreased plant losses,
non-chemical practices resulting in decreased plant losses,

improved profits and protection of human health and environment.
improved profits and protection of human health and environment.

Rapid development in Utah has resulted in an increased interest
Rapid development in Utah has resulted in an increased interest

in small scale urban farming and non-chemical pest management options.
in small scale urban farming and non-chemical pest management options.

Although Utah has lost 16,792
Although Utah has lost 16,792

acres of farmland between 2012 and 2017,
acres of farmland between 2012 and 2017,

the total farm operations has increased,
the total farm operations has increased,

where 34% of these farms are between one in nine acres
where 34% of these farms are between one in nine acres

and about 44% of these farmers have less than five years of experience.
and about 44% of these farmers have less than five years of experience.

our program.
our program.

Put together this demonstration farm to meet the needs of the growers in Utah
Put together this demonstration farm to meet the needs of the growers in Utah

by kind of replicating what they might have at their own operations.
by kind of replicating what they might have at their own operations.

So here we're demonstrated a variety of different IPM
So here we're demonstrated a variety of different IPM

techniques that growers can implement on their own farm.
techniques that growers can implement on their own farm.

Let's check some of them out.
Let's check some of them out.

So one of the big problems on farms is obviously weed control.
So one of the big problems on farms is obviously weed control.

So a few organic options that we use as weed barriers.
So a few organic options that we use as weed barriers.

So here we're using straw mulch, plastic molds
So here we're using straw mulch, plastic molds

and then a weed barrier fabric
and then a weed barrier fabric

so comparing planning is the use of inter
so comparing planning is the use of inter

planning different crops together for some mutual benefit.
planning different crops together for some mutual benefit.

It's a really common practice in small urban farms and home gardens.
It's a really common practice in small urban farms and home gardens.

So in this trial we're looking at the use of different herbs
So in this trial we're looking at the use of different herbs

like basil, parsley and chives.
like basil, parsley and chives.

Enter planted amongst five different varieties of tomatoes.
Enter planted amongst five different varieties of tomatoes.

So we have our variable group right here, and we're going to compare
So we have our variable group right here, and we're going to compare

that to our control plot where there's no companion plant.
that to our control plot where there's no companion plant.

So we're going to look at things like the amount of pests overall plant health
So we're going to look at things like the amount of pests overall plant health

and then yield Road covers are a really effective way
and then yield Road covers are a really effective way

to physically exclude different paths from accessing our crops.
to physically exclude different paths from accessing our crops.

Brassicas are one of the most susceptible crops to different pest plague,
Brassicas are one of the most susceptible crops to different pest plague,

cabbage, aphids, cabbage, loopers, cabbage, whites, a lot of different pest.
cabbage, aphids, cabbage, loopers, cabbage, whites, a lot of different pest.

So in this trial we're looking at using insect netting
So in this trial we're looking at using insect netting

to exclude those types of pests from our brussel sprouts
to exclude those types of pests from our brussel sprouts

kohlrabi, kale, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.
kohlrabi, kale, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.

So we have half of our those covered and then half of them exposed.
So we have half of our those covered and then half of them exposed.

So we're going to look at different pest
So we're going to look at different pest

counts and just overall quality and yield of our plants Tomato spotter.
counts and just overall quality and yield of our plants Tomato spotter.

Well, virus is very problematic throughout Utah, especially in our tomato
Well, virus is very problematic throughout Utah, especially in our tomato

and peppers crops.
and peppers crops.

It's spread by different thrips species.
It's spread by different thrips species.

So in this trial, we're looking at using silver plastic mulch as a way
So in this trial, we're looking at using silver plastic mulch as a way

to deter thrips away from the plants, to reduce the spread of the virus.
to deter thrips away from the plants, to reduce the spread of the virus.

So here we're comparing the silver mulch versus
So here we're comparing the silver mulch versus

the standard black mulch with an production.
the standard black mulch with an production.

So throughout the season,
So throughout the season,

we'll monitor for the amount of thrips using these blue sticky cards.
we'll monitor for the amount of thrips using these blue sticky cards.

And then, of course, we will test for the tomato spot.
And then, of course, we will test for the tomato spot.

It will virus within these pepper plants later on.
It will virus within these pepper plants later on.

The silver mold is effective because it reflects and shines bright lights
The silver mold is effective because it reflects and shines bright lights

that deter the thrips and a lot of other species away from the plant.
that deter the thrips and a lot of other species away from the plant.

We're also using silver mulch over here with our brassica
We're also using silver mulch over here with our brassica

crops to exclude the cabbage aphid and other various pests.
crops to exclude the cabbage aphid and other various pests.

So we're comparing the silver to the black malts
So we're comparing the silver to the black malts

Many Native American nations use the three sisters Intercropping
Many Native American nations use the three sisters Intercropping

practice based on the knowledge of the three cultivated groups.
practice based on the knowledge of the three cultivated groups.

Corn bean and squash, taking care of one another when planted together.
Corn bean and squash, taking care of one another when planted together.

Three sisters, intercropping likely enhanced soil health.
Three sisters, intercropping likely enhanced soil health.

But little research has examined why this might be true.
But little research has examined why this might be true.

The reasons may include the same biophysical mechanisms
The reasons may include the same biophysical mechanisms

in modern intercropping that result in nutrient cycling in soil,
in modern intercropping that result in nutrient cycling in soil,

biological activity and the accumulation of soil organic matter.
biological activity and the accumulation of soil organic matter.

We want to try out the three scissors technique on our farm site.
We want to try out the three scissors technique on our farm site.

So we set up two plots, one where we have the corn, beans and squash plants
So we set up two plots, one where we have the corn, beans and squash plants

planted separately in three rows compared to the squash being acquired.
planted separately in three rows compared to the squash being acquired.

Intercropping together for the three Sisters method.
Intercropping together for the three Sisters method.

So obviously we don't have any weed control here because we want to allow
So obviously we don't have any weed control here because we want to allow

that to be a part of this study to see if weeds have an effect
that to be a part of this study to see if weeds have an effect

and if there's a lot of weed control with the Intercropping method.
and if there's a lot of weed control with the Intercropping method.

So we're excited to see how this goes.
So we're excited to see how this goes.

We're going to compare the different yield and overall plant health along with
We're going to compare the different yield and overall plant health along with

maybe some plant nutrient analysis and soil test to see what's going on here.
maybe some plant nutrient analysis and soil test to see what's going on here.

The demonstration farm also allows us to monitor for different pests.
The demonstration farm also allows us to monitor for different pests.

So we set up a variety of pheromone traps which use a synthetic lure
So we set up a variety of pheromone traps which use a synthetic lure

that has the same pheromone of different specific species.
that has the same pheromone of different specific species.

So that will attract them.
So that will attract them.

So they'll come into these orange delta traps
So they'll come into these orange delta traps

and they will get caught on our sticky cards.
and they will get caught on our sticky cards.

So pheromone traps are a great way for farmers to monitor different pests
So pheromone traps are a great way for farmers to monitor different pests

that might be present in the area and also allow us to look for new paths
that might be present in the area and also allow us to look for new paths

that may or may not be present in the state.
that may or may not be present in the state.

here's the word we use for the cabbage loopers.
here's the word we use for the cabbage loopers.

So it was in the Delta tribe, the cabbage Looper,
So it was in the Delta tribe, the cabbage Looper,

adult Mars sandstorms.
adult Mars sandstorms.

They came and they got tribe.
They came and they got tribe.

So this can be used as a monitoring tool for large farms to know
So this can be used as a monitoring tool for large farms to know

kind of what the population levels are at.
kind of what the population levels are at.

So yellow sticky traps are a common tool that are used in home
So yellow sticky traps are a common tool that are used in home

gardens and farms just to catch pests.
gardens and farms just to catch pests.

And it can help you monitor for what might be around
And it can help you monitor for what might be around

any of your crops and give you an idea of how you need to manage.
any of your crops and give you an idea of how you need to manage.

pollinators play a vital role in our agricultural industry,
pollinators play a vital role in our agricultural industry,

local economies, and overall health of our ecosystem.
local economies, and overall health of our ecosystem.

Unfortunately, many pollinator
Unfortunately, many pollinator

populations have experienced a drastic decline in recent years.
populations have experienced a drastic decline in recent years.

Population loss can be linked
Population loss can be linked

to several contributing factors, such as loss of habitat changing climate
to several contributing factors, such as loss of habitat changing climate

associated with weather patterns and disease and pesticides.
associated with weather patterns and disease and pesticides.

With collaboration with the Utah Department
With collaboration with the Utah Department

of the AG and Food who are participating in the Pollinator Habitat Program.
of the AG and Food who are participating in the Pollinator Habitat Program.

The goal of this program is to increase the amount available pollinator habitat
The goal of this program is to increase the amount available pollinator habitat

throughout Utah, with particular focus on native bee habitats,
throughout Utah, with particular focus on native bee habitats,

and expand the existing landscape to improve resources
and expand the existing landscape to improve resources

like pollen and nectar available for pollinators.
like pollen and nectar available for pollinators.

Provide better connectivity between habitats to better support
Provide better connectivity between habitats to better support

beneficial species,
beneficial species,

increase access and availability of native seed resources across the state,
increase access and availability of native seed resources across the state,

and of course, increase public awareness and involvement to improve pollinator
and of course, increase public awareness and involvement to improve pollinator

habitats statewide
habitats statewide

We're excited to have this pollinator garden right here adjacent
We're excited to have this pollinator garden right here adjacent

to our vegetable production so we can see the benefits of having
to our vegetable production so we can see the benefits of having

different pollinators and beneficial insects
different pollinators and beneficial insects

right alongside our commercial vegetable production
right alongside our commercial vegetable production

If you have more questions about integrated pest management,
If you have more questions about integrated pest management,

check out our website and all our resources on the Horseshoe
check out our website and all our resources on the Horseshoe

Extension website and also check out this and other videos about IPM.
Extension website and also check out this and other videos about IPM.

Music
Music