Small Farms Research

This second of four fact sheets in this series explores materials needed to start seeds indoors—specifically, seeds, containers, soilless mix (potting soil), lights, water, fertilizer, a heat source, fans, labels, and a general growing space. Our focus is...

This guide details the process of starting vegetable seeds indoors, covering key factors like temperature, humidity, light, soil preparation, planting, watering, and monitoring for successful germination. It provides step-by-step instructions to create th...

This second of four fact sheets in this series explores materials needed to start seeds indoors—specifically, seeds, containers, soilless mix (potting soil), lights, water, fertilizer, a heat source, fans, labels, and a general growing space. Our focus is...

For many Utah gardeners, starting vegetable seeds indoors offers both an exciting opportunity to experiment with new varieties and a practical necessity for ensuring the successful growth and production of certain crops in their unique environmental condi...

Soil salinity is a measure of the total amount of soluble salt in soil. As salinity levels increase, plants extract water less easily from soil, aggravating water stress conditions. High soil salinity can also cause nutrient imbalances, result in the accu...

Irrigation management principles for small farms.

Operation and maintenance information for several irrigation system types used in small farms.

High tunnel irrigation management requires knowledge of the following concepts: 1) differences in soil water holding capacity 2) variances in plants rooting depth, 3) how changing environmental conditions impact plant water use, 4) proper water applicatio...

There are many things to consider when selecting an irrigation system.

Low flow irrigation systems provide an efficient and effective way to water plants. A wide variety of emitters and delivery systems are available. Plant type, system capacity and filtration requirements are all important considerations when designing a lo...

This article describes what community supported agriculture is, types of models, benefits, barriers, and CSAs in Utah.

Due to water costs, and increasing water demands, gardeners need to be concerned about conservation. One effective way to conserve water is by utilizing drip irrigation.

In response to the increasing importance of small-scale urban farming, in 2021, legislation was passed for the state of Utah (House Bill 390) to establish the definition of urban farming as part of the modification of the Urban Farming Assessment Act.

This document explains how the Double Up Food Bucks, a nutrition incentive program with SNAP, works for community supported agriculture programs in Utah.

Utah often faces extreme temperatures in the summer and winter seasons. Due to the adverse weather, it can be difficult to raise pigs.

In Utah, livestock are usually grazed from May through October and fed hay from November through April. By stockpiling pasture grasses (leaving a part of the pasture ungrazed from mid August to mid October), the grazing season can often be extended into D...

With an increasing push for more sustainable agriculture practices, the idea of raising pigs on pasture has gained a lot of attention over recent years.

Grapes can be an excellent addition to home gardens and a revenue opportunity for small-acreage farms. Utah’s Wasatch Front region, along with portions of Cache Valley, are well suited to grow grapes, particularly the more cold-hardy cultivars. Many new c...

When you market your community supported agriculture (CSA) operation, you should consider the best communication tools to delivering information to potential and current shareholders, engaging your shareholders, and getting feedback. This fact sheet will ...

Follow these simple steps to take in bleeding air from a diesel fuel system.

This article explains how the Double Up Food Bucks nutrition incentive program works with SNAP at farm stands in Utah.

Community agriculture initiatives are often run by organizations (1) relying on volunteer structures; (2) growing produce sustainably; and (3) aiming to improve health and access to food in their communities.

Five key principles simplify understanding livestock movement: stewardship, personal state, energy, pressure zones, and release. When applied in unison with a willing mindset, each principle leads to a deeper understanding of livestock movement and growth...

The research community and fertilizer industry have developed and utilized a framework termed “4R nutrient management” to help improve fertilizer stewardship. For decades, national and international organizations and institutes such as The Fertilizer Inst...

The Great Basin is primarily located in Nevada, western Utah, and small sections of southern Oregon and Idaho. The Great Basin is noted for its arid conditions and high percentage of publically owned land. The potential for solar energy generation in the ...

If you are connected to a municipal system, your water is probably categorized as “culinary or municipal water” and is used for everything from drinking and bathing to washing the car to watering tomatoes. However the Utah Division of Water Rights takes a...

Sodic soils are soils with excess sodium. Sodic soils are encountered with increasing frequency in Utah, usually in the lower, flatter areas of our valleys. Sodic soils probably developed over many years when the water table was high and the soils were to...

Deficit irrigation is any irrigation level that does not meet the crop’s full evapotranspiration (ET) demand, meaning evaporation from plant and soil surface and transpiration through plant growth.

Soil salinity is a measure of the total amount of soluble salt in soil. As salinity levels increase, plants extract water less easily from soil, aggravating water stress conditions. High soil salinity can also cause nutrient imbalances, result in the accu...

There is a wide range of methods available to monitor soil moisture. When selecting a sensor, consider the advantages and disadvantages as well as what will work with your soil. Maintenance, skill level, and cost should also factor into your decision. If ...

Salts are a natural part of our arid zone soils, but they can be managed—good results always start with good information!

The use of fertigation for field and horticultural crops is increasing in Utah. Fertigation can be an effective method for improving nutrient stewardship and improving crop yield and quality. Keys to successful fertigation include irrigation system mainte...

Salts are naturally occurring, soluble minerals in areas where soil evaporation and plant water use (or transpiration) are both high, and precipitation is low. In that scenario, dissolved minerals concentrate over time as the extraction of essentially pu...