Some of the participants in the Plasticulture Workshop.

By Susan Bambo

 On June 27, 2012 the Alabama State Association of Cooperatives (ASAC) in collaboration with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives /Land Assistance Fund (FSC/LAF) organized and hosted a Plasticulture Demonstration Workshop in Boligee Greene County, Alabama.

The Workshop was organized primarily for the Greene/Sumter Farmers’ Market Cooperative; however, the members of the cooperative invited other farmers from the community to participate in the demonstration workshop.

This was a way to have others share in the benefit of the event and also to recruit new members for their cooperative. This workshop was the first of its kind in the area.

It provided the farmers with the opportunity to have hands-on experience of laying plastic mulch with drip tape in the field.

The plasticulture and drip irrigation system was carried out on an acre of land. Mr. James Childs set aside the piece of land as a demonstration and research plot, and it is managed by the Greene/Sumter Farmers’ Market Cooperative.

The plasticulture and drip irrigation system is intended to take care of the summer drought and increase the cooperative’s produce yields. The demonstration workshop involved training the cooperative members and other farmers on how to effectively use the plasticulture system for the betterment of their produce.

This workshop addressed how small socially disadvantaged producers can improve farm produce and community service.  In addition, the event exposed the small socially disadvantaged producers to a range of USDA resources available to them in their country.

The workshop served farmers from both Greene and Sumter Counties of Alabama.  Some speakers during this occasion included the following: Mr. George Hall – Chairman of the Board and member of Greene/Sumter Farmers’ Market Cooperative, Mr. James Childs – experienced farmer and member of Greene/Sumter Farmers’ Cooperative, Dr. Susan Bambo – Technical/Outreach Assistance to the ASAC and FSC/LAF, Mr. Terry Williamson – NRCS District Conservationist to Pickens and Greene Counties, Alabama, Mr. Jacob Waddy -  farmer who has many years experience in using equipment to lay out plasticulture.

In attendance were Federal   Agents, Extension specialists, experienced farmers,  small socially disadvantaged farmers and producers from Greene and Sumter Counties, staff from the ASAC and FSC/LAF and the general public.

The results from this demonstration workshop included education, training, and excitement, as well  as increasing farmers knowledge about effectively laying plastic  and drip irrigation system.

The expected workshop  results included  increased farmers’ market production, increased and improved collaborations, and improved cooperative spirit among Greene/Sumter Farmers’ Market Cooperative members. We also expect an increase in the cooperative’s membership and impact.