When most people think of George Washington, they likely envision him as the first president of the United States, a leader during the American Revolution, or a Founding Father who shaped the nation. However, what often gets overlooked was Washington’s deep passion for agriculture and his role as a pioneer in American farming practices. He was not only a soldier and statesman, but also a visionary agriculturalist whose contributions to farming have left an enduring legacy.

Photo: https://www.mountvernon.org/the-estate-gardens/gardens-landscapes/four-gardens-at-mount-vernon <---more--->

The Early Days of Washington’s Agricultural Interests

George Washington’s love for the land began at a young age. Born into a wealthy Virginia family in 1732, Washington inherited the family estate, Mount Vernon, when he was just 22 years old. As a young landowner, he was acutely aware of the challenges facing the American colonies. Most of the economy was still agrarian, and tobacco was the primary cash crop. However, Washington knew that tobacco was an exhausting crop that depleted the soil, and he sought innovative solutions to improve agricultural practices.

A Progressive Approach to Farming

As a leader, Washington understood the importance of innovation and education. He was one of the first American farmers to adopt and promote new agricultural techniques, and he took a progressive approach by collaborating with agricultural experts. Washington regularly corresponded with other farmers and agricultural scientists, sharing ideas and learning from their experiences. He also closely followed agricultural literature, staying informed about the latest advancements in farming methods.

Innovation at Mount Vernon

One of Washington’s most significant contributions to agriculture was his commitment to scientific farming. At Mount Vernon, he embraced a wide range of methods that were revolutionary for his time. He introduced crop rotation, which helped restore nutrients to the soil and reduce the risk of nutrient depletion. This was a novel approach in an era when farmers often grew the same crops year after year, leading to soil erosion and declining yields.

Washington also experimented with planting new crops, such as wheat, rye, and oats, in an effort to diversify his farm’s production. He promoted the idea of planting different crops, in addition to crop rotation, to improve the overall health and sustainability of the land.

Photo: https://www.post-gazette.com/life/garden/2023/06/09/george-washington-mount-vernon-vegeta/stories/202306010155

Mount Vernon: A Model of Agricultural Excellence

Under Washington’s leadership, Mount Vernon became a model of agricultural excellence. He made the estate a showcase of sustainable farming, with thriving crops, livestock, and orchards, with about 3,000 acres slated specifically for farming. Washington was careful to balance the productivity of his land with its preservation for future generations. He even began experimenting with fish ponds and encouraged the cultivation of native crops, such as corn, to better suit the local environment.

In fact, Mount Vernon became a burgeoning educational center for agriculturalists. Visitors from all over the country were drawn to Washington’s estate to observe his farming practices. His success in implementing new techniques and improving yields served as an inspiration for other landowners and farmers across the country.

The Legacy of Washington’s Agricultural Vision

While George Washington’s presidency is often celebrated for his leadership during the nation’s formative years, his contributions to agriculture should not be underestimated. He advocated for policies that would support the agricultural industry and helped shape a new approach to farming in the United States, one that embraced sustainability, innovation, and the integration of scientific methods. His vision for agriculture as the foundation of a strong, independent nation laid the groundwork for the future of American farming.

Today, Mount Vernon stands as a testament to Washington’s agricultural legacy. Visitors can still explore the grounds and learn about the farming practices he championed, like crop rotation. Washington’s work reminds us of the vital connection between the land and the prosperity of the nation—a vision that continues to resonate in the agricultural practices of today.

Photo: https://www.historynet.com/george-washington-patriot-president-planter-and-purveyor-of-distilled-spirits-2/

In our pervious blog “Noxious weeds-what are they? Are they a nuisance or serious problem?”, we talked about noxious weeds, the problems they can cause, and ways they can be controlled. Of course, the best solution is to never let them get started in the first place. A healthy stand will provide competition, eliminating the opportunity for noxious weeds to move in. It is critical to start with healthy, clean seed.  

When it comes to weeds, not all things are equal. A “weed” is characterized as an unwanted pest in an undesirable location. Although these plants often annoy or inconvenience us, there are certain ones that can be very harmful. These are our noxious weeds. These little bundles of joy come packed with sharp prickles, toxic leaves, aggressive growth, and the ability to survive. When given the opportunity they can negatively impact the value of a crop or even the health of animals. In Oregon, “Noxious” weeds are defined as: “a terrestrial, aquatic or marine plant designated by the State Weed Board under ORS 569.615 as among those representing the greatest public menace and as a top priority for action by weed control programs.” These are no doubt a serious problem, not just a nuisance, so it is important to learn how to identify these plants.

As the cost of farming rises, profitability also needs to rise. It’s perhaps more important than ever to use all possible resources available to try to increase yields. It’s vital to know what will grow best in your field, and what seeds to plant to increase your soil health and fertility. Did you know that an inoculated red clover stand can add up to 200lbs of nitrogen per acre, lowering your fertilizer costs? Or that each 1% increase in soil organic matter helps hold 20,000 gallons more water per acre? Soil analyses provide nutrient and soil pH information while tracking trends on your land. These trends, high or low, can greatly affect your yield and plant health.

Why Cover Crop?

Cover cropping is a long-term investment to improve soil health, cash crop yields, and farm management. Planting a cover crop can improve soil organic matter (SOM) and curb the long-term damage of cash crops.

Creating healthy soil requires management of the soil’s biology through SOM. The micro-organisms of organic matter create structure by converting into humus which gives soil it’s physical properties of particle aggregation, protection against erosion, water retention, drainage, aeration, and compaction resistance.

This blog was originally published at www.pggseeds.us

You know the brassica. It’s the vegetable that you used to hide under your dinner plate, or get the dog to eat at supper when your mother looks away. Brassica is broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. It also the turnip, rutabaga, rapeseed, canola, arugula, and radish, in all its variations.

Brassicas are wide ranging and easily crossed for specific purposes. This adaptability to our modifications makes the brassica a valuable member of the domesticated plant community. Therefore, not all brassicas are created equal.

Take a walk through our Ennis Hazelnut orchard with Ioka Farm’s Production Specialist, Alex Duerst, and discover the benefits of a permanent creeping red fescue cover crop in orchard rows!

If you’d like more information or to get creeping red fescue seed for your orchard, give us a call at: 503-873-6498, or email Cher Gillson at cher@iokamarketing.com.

The most valuable asset to any farmer is their soil. Cover cropping can help speed up your soils recovery and health. Investing in your soil through cover cropping can increase yields, cut costs of fertilizer and herbicides, and create living soil for future generations.

There are a multitude of benefits cover cropping can offer your soil, we’ve picked a few to highlight.