Willsboro Research Farm

At the base of Willsboro Bay extending east toward the broader waters of Lake Champlain, lie 352 acres of fertile farmland, some of the most scenic in the Champlain Valley. The view in late May is a beautiful panorama of lush, green grasses, acreage awaiting spring planting, all framed by forest, lake and mountain.

In 1982, in a truly magnanimous gesture, E. Vreeland Baker, a longtime Willsboro resident, donated his farm to his alma mater, Cornell University, to be dedicated to agricultural development and research.

The university created the Cornell Willsboro Research Farm for the betterment of Northern New York’s agricultural community and consumers as well. Its mission is to “enhance the economic viability of the area’s farmers, while fostering environmentally sound resource management and continued development of a healthy regional food system.” In short, research at the farm helps keep area agri-business on the cutting edge competitively and guides them towards good stewardship of the environment.

These goals are accomplished through a wide-ranging array of research field experiments conducted throughout the farm’s expanse of grassy fields and forest. Their purpose is to be of educational value or practically applied for the benefit of farmers across the region.

The overall management of the Research Farm is in the capable hands of Dr. Michael Davis, the director since 1992. Davis, who grew up in Vermont said, “I had a vegetable garden as a child and always wanted to be a farmer. But while I was at UVM, I fell in love with the science of farming.”

By the time he joined the Research Farm, Davis had earned a doctorate in agronomy and plant genetics from the University of Minnesota. “This is my dream job,” he said. “I love what we do here and my folks are nearby in Vermont.”

Davis explained that the Willsboro Research Farm is one of several Agricultural Experiment Stations around the state, owned by Cornell.

The farm is also part to the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, a vital resource to communities in the six county areas of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence.

A Cornell professor, Dr. Robert Lucey, saw the great agricultural potential in Northern New York and founded NNYADP in the 1960s, He convinced Cornell and the state to appropriate funds and for almost 50 years, the North Country has reaped the benefits of his vision.

Through the program he established strong relationships with the Willsboro Research Farm (as well as the William H. Miner Agricultural Institute in Chazy and Canton Agricultural and Technical College). He brought together researchers, students, farmers, and local Cooperative Extension educators of the six counties to evaluate factors that affect dairy farming and field crops in Northern New York. “We collaborate with the Miner Institute on about 40 acres. Currently we are doing trials on varieties of crops and grasses to determine which perform best in the unique northern climate.”

Establishing Projects

An important role of the NNYADP is to propose and fund research projects for the Willsboro Farm. Panels of farmers identify, prioritize and select projects that could benefit our northern region.

Davis himself initiates project proposals. “They are definitely farmer driven, however,” he said. “I attend many meetings at the six county Cooperative Extension offices and other venues to listen to farmers and extension professionals. We ask key questions about the needs of area farmers, determine problems, develop a list of what needs to be done, and formulate a proposal. Then,” he added, “we hope for the funding!”

Faculty members from Cornell and other institutions might propose research projects and bring students to the farm to participate directly in the study or trial.

“Always,” Davis said, “after a project, there are reports generated. They contain an overview of the research, results and our conclusions. Again we communicate directly with farmers at meeting places to explain our work. We also conduct field days, tours, and open houses for the public.”

Does Davis believe Northern New York farmers incorporate the farm’s research into their farming methods? “Absolutely! The ones that are left do,” he said. “There are a lot of very smart farmers in the area who take advantage of our research and benefit from it.”

Field Trials

Most of the time Davis, his two full-time assistants, and various faculty are working on 10-15 research projects, some short, some multi-year in scope. They deal with important concerns in agriculture today such as sustainability, organic, no-till field management, soil health, nutrient retention, chemical runoff and energy conservation.

An ongoing project with special focus at the farm is soil nutrient management. Davis explained, “This study looks to best utilize manure and fertilizers to maximize crop yield and minimize nutrient and phosphorus runoff.”

Concern over fertilizer runoff into lakes and streams and the proximity to Lake Champlain are constant reminders of this important research.

A short walk to the western edge of the property reveals 54 small lysimeter (drainage) plots which collect water seeping from the surface in drain tiles under the soil. The seepage from each plot flows into a specific manhole where it can be collected and analyzed. On each plot, which is managed separately, experiments are conduced with all kinds of crop combinations, soil conditions, kinds and amounts of fertilizers, etc.

Davis said, “We trace what stays in the soil, what plants take out, and what nutrients or chemicals leak out. What drains off through the tiles tells us what nutrients leave the soil and potentially leak into lakes and streams.”

Davis and his team have accumulated a wealth of important knowledge regarding soil retention and loss. He cited one result of their runoff research that garnered national attention. “It involved Atrizine, an herbicide. It was thought not to leach out of the soil, but our tests showed that some did. Consequently, new guidelines were established for its use. We also identified the first Atrizine resistant weeds, pointing out the need to diversify a pesticide program.”

Also a priority at the farm is organic crop research on the six acres that are certified organic. Davis explained that farmers are looking for more organic options. “There is a large local foods movement,” he said. “Area producers want to be able to grow and buy local organically grown crops. We are conducting a variety of trials to improve the taste and hardiness of various grains.”

Currently organic research at the farm involves finding and designing crop rotations to meet increased demand. To diversify cropping and marketing options, crops like food grade soybeans, flax, and dry beans are introduced into wheat rotations. In five-year rotations, the studies hope to show results of improved economic returns and soil enrichment as well.

Another field trial that promises to have important energy-saving implications involves plots of several varieties of hardy grasses or biofuel beds. The grasses—switchgrass, reed canary, and tall fescue—can be pelletized for use as heating fuel in wood stoves.

According to Davis, “They are a renewable biomass heating fuel; we are finding about one acre can supply pellets to heat a home for a North County winter. There are some obstacles to overcome, but the potential is great.”

Still another trial utilizes solar energy. Experiments with “high tunnels,” modified greenhouses open at the ends, are proving to extend the growing season for many fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals. The tunnels are unique in that they are portable and can be moved and positioned where desired to optimize different crops’ productivity.

Davis said, “We’re getting great results and learning which crops benefit most from them.” Indeed, to reach the raspberries near the top of the bushes inside a tunnel, you’d need a good-sized stepladder!

One of the more interesting field trials, ongoing since 2005, is the Willsboro Grape Project, a 300-vine vineyard trial of 25 cold region wine grape varieties. Very popular with local and regional grape enthusiasts, the trials are determining which varieties are best suited to survive in Northern New York and produce the best tasting wines.

Davis said, “We are definitely finding some very cold hardy varieties that result in great wines. We have several volunteers helping us in winemaking trials. In fact,” he added proudly, “one winemaker submitted eight different wines made from our varieties in a tasting contest and six of them won prizes.”

No doubt Northern New York vintners will soon rival the Finger Lakes region for the state’s viticultural supremacy!

These are just a few studies illustrative of the research being carried out at the Willsboro Research farm. Davis believes these and future work will support North Country farming trends towards more local organic production, the emergence of large farm complexes and new industries like the cold hardy grape cultivation.

What is certain is that the research of Davis and his associates, supported by Cornell, the Miner Institute, the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, the six County Cooperative Extension offices and the many area farm entities is a priceless North Country resource.

It may be a safe bet that most non-farming folks in the area have never heard of the Willsboro Research Farm, but they can surely see the farm’s fingerprints everywhere—on the many productive, prosperous North Country farms, the delicious locally grown food, and on our clean, wholesome environment.