Growing crops on plastic and using drip irrigation is not a common practices used on our farms in the region.  Due the planned hemp crop that will be grown using this technology, a plastic culture field day was planned to share information with area growers.  

Over 100 growers from 11 Kentucky counties and 2 Ohio Counties attended a regional field day in Bracken County that highlighted the requirements, machinery, and methods used for Plastic Culture crop production.  

Each segment of the process was explained by the Lewis and Bracken ANR Agents including pumps and volumes needed, supply lines and filters, and field preparation.  A demonstration showed how a mulch layer works as it forms a raised bed, and puts down the plastic and drip tape as the machine is pulled through the field.  

Included in the demonstration was the use of biodegradable plastic and a report on its performance on 3 vegetable plots last year.  Agents reported how regular plastic must be taken up at the end of the growing season and this material is broken down by soil microbes at the end of the season once it is incorporated into the soil.   

Everyone that attended the event had a chance to connect drip tape to valves, and insert the valves into a supply line that was taught by the Lewis ANR, Bracken ANR, Fleming ANR and Mason Horticulture.  This valuable hands on experience was appreciated since they have never used this type of irrigation. By the end of the field day farmers had the knowledge to set up their own plasticulture system, a $300 dollar per acre saving to the grower, based off the cost of a company that would set of a system for local farmers.  Numerous producers have contacted the extension service for additional information regarding suppliers and setting up their system before the growing season.