RMI has completed another organic matter build on fields at Five Point Farm using RMI’s FiberBuild, which consists of short paper fiber. These fields in Northfield, MA are owned by Fish and Game and are adjacent to the Connecticut River. The soils in the area are sandy and very low in organic matter. “You want to be between 6 to 8 on your OM scores” Chris Cooper, RMI’s Certified Crop Advisor explains. “These fields were scoring around 1.”
Organic matter in topsoil serves several important functions — it influences the release of nutrients over time, enhances the water-holding capacity of the topsoil and improves soil structure. As organic matter breaks down, it slowly makes nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus available to the crop. Increasing the water holding capacity of topsoil improves drought resistance and helps prevent the loss of nutrients through leaching. Erosion resistance is enhanced by the cellulose in FiberBuild, which assists with slope stabilization and minimizes run-off in storm events.
The land application of FiberBuild is accomplished with the use of conventional agricultural equipment.