Development of Native Seed as an Alternative Crop for Soil Conservation in Maryland

Chesapeake Natives, Inc. will develop native seed as an alternative crop for soil conservation in Maryland. In the growing season of 2006, wild parent populations of species are being located and certified (for source-identification of seed lots) by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Seed will be wild-collected in the fall of 2006. All production demonstration plots will be located on EQIP eligible farms in Maryland: 3 on the Delmarva Peninsula, 3 on the Coastal Plain west of the Bay, and 3 in the Piedmont. Production plots will be set up with signs and weed block fabric in the winter 2006/2007. Each production plot will accommodate the demonstration of 4 species and the effects of various fertility and weed control approaches. Germination protocol and seedling production will also occur in the winter 2006/2007. Production plots will be planted in the spring of 2007. In the growing seasons of 2007 and 2008, we will be meeting with farmers repeatedly to work on fertilization, weed control and harvest. In the winter 2007/2008, we will be cleaning the first harvest, and continuing germination protocol work (critical to having seed lots tested for sale in the future). In the growing season 2008, we will continue the fertility/weed control/harvest activities.
In the winter 2008/2009, seed will be cleaned and stored, and seed production manuals and presentations will be prepared. In 2009, we will use the January-to-June period covered by this grant to establish soil stabilization demonstration plots that illustrate the effective use of the native seed mix. During this period the soil stabilization team (see collaborators) will meet approximately three times a year.