NRCS Helps Farm Minimize Pesticides While Controlling Pests More Efficiently

Stone Gardens Farm, located in Shelton, was founded in 1998 by Fred and Stacia Monahan. They signed up for EQIP to obtain technical assistance and to learn how to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) effectively.

Through a partnership agreement between NRCS and the Cooperative Extension System (CES), the Monahan’s received weekly visits from CES IPM Expert Jude Boucher. Boucher trained the Monahans on how to recognize pests and disease, identify their presence, and understand the threshold limit when sprays are necessary. The results were excellent crops, reduced pesticide use, and happy customers!

Also, to minimize the use of any type of pesticide/fungicide, Monahan rotates crops yearly; adds compost and manure to the fields every fall; plants cover crops to be tilled into the soil; and tries to plant resistant, but not Genetically Modified Organism varieties, of vegetables. “Our goal,” said Monahan “is to grow healthy plants without harming any beneficial insects, the soil, or ourselves.”

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