My question is what should I do with a field that's been in corn, to boost fertility, mitigate glyphosate, and prepare for perennial pasture and food production? We close mid-may and the current farmer who rents the land is asking if we want him to till the field and plant soy. I have a lot of reading to do on larger scale farming but I don't have time (being home with three little kid and try to pack) before deciding what to do for this Spring, so really hoping some of you can help!
I'm new to working land on a larger scale. My husband and I grow a lot of food on an urban lot in Minneapolis but are purchasing a property right now that has a 27 acre corn field. We are very excited to heal this little spot on a river and lessen the chemicals flowing into our Minnesota waterways!
Long term, we imagine the 27 acres of corn will be divided between our food production, perennial pasture for animals, and native prairie. (There are already acres of forest aside from this 27 acres). We want to make this conversion the right way, with a mind to building soil fertility, not rushed. We have other means of income, so this is for self sufficiency, not to supply anything to customers, so we have some time.
In my current much smaller growing spaces, I wouldn't till, and I'd add a ton of manure and cover crop it. BUT - how does this translate to large scale?
There is a ton of roughage from the corn harvest. Should we have him till it in so some seeds actually stand a chance? I have soil samples to mail in, so don't know for sure, but I'm sure it needs fertility help after years in conventional ag. Can I spread manure in the spring? Can I even get that much manure?
What crop would you put in to boost soil fertility? Just any legume? or... Thanks for helping this overwhelmed newbie get off the ground fast!
