Submitted by Karen on Fri, 2006-06-02 09:48.
Some farmers in our area have already used the large NCA&T State University shared-use mulch layer that requires a large (>40 HP at the PTO) tractor to use successfully. If you have the right machine to pull it, it's a great tool. It remains available for use, and if you are interested in borrowing it to put in a late crop of tomatoes, squash, melons, etc., please contact me (Richard Boylan: 828-264-3061 or 336-219-2650).
This year, NCA&T State University has also purchased a shared-use mulch layer that can be mounted on a Category 1 Hitch, and can be pulled with the smaller tractors that are common in our region (>20 HP at the PTO). The attachment can be pulled across any well-prepared field (rototilled or extensively disc'ed) and in one pass it lays drip-tape, creates a raised-bed, and lays plastic mulch down. It's a nice unit that can handle 36" wide rolls of plastic, making a bed that is approximately 18" across at the top. On Wednesday, 5/31, Ashe County Farmer Joe Martin volunteered to haul this unit from Burnsville to Piney Creek (thanks Joe!), and we tried it out at Rocking S Farm, with good results. The unit is booked to be used at Joe's (in Grassy Creek), then Charles Church's (in Valle Crucis). If you want your farm to be next, please contact me (Richard Boylan: 828-264-3061 or 336-219-2650). Because this is a shared piece of equipment, and will need to go to other counties soon, it is important that you do all field prep ahead of time.
