Welcome

We hope this website will keep you up-to-date on the progress of our new Small-Scale Intensive Farm Training (SIFT) project. Through this innovative program, we're working to create food security, economic revitalization, and environmental protection through small-scale intensive farm training.

What is SIFT?

Today, more than 50 million Americans live in "food-insecure" households, including more than 17 million children. Much of this food insecurity is the result of families living in areas where they don't have easy access to healthy, nutritious food. In these communities, known as "food deserts," families often turn to convenience stores and fast food restaurants for their meals. But what if every community—even those in food deserts—could increase their food security by producing their own healthy food? NCAT believes they can. more »


Summer Cover Cropping on the SIFT Farm

By John Wallace, SIFT Farm Manager Year one cover crop. Photo: NCAT In the past, I’ve written about fall cover crops to keep the soil protected during winter months. With mixed results from our previous trials, we have begun looking at types of cover… more »
Posted on: April 24th, 2018

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What to Do With Kohlrabi

By John Wallace, SIFT Farm Manager Kohlrabi is a strange-looking vegetable that often gets passed up in the produce section because people are unfamiliar with it. However, it is a versatile vegetable that can be used in many different recipes. Kohlrabi… more »
Posted on: April 3rd, 2018

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Soil-Borne Pests and Diseases

By John Wallace, SIFT Farm Manager Bone meal, blood meal, and kelp meal are beneficial ingredients in potting soil mixes. Photo: NCAT Commercial potting soil mixes can cause a lot of problems down the road. Often, the cheaper they are, the higher the… more »
Posted on: March 19th, 2018

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Year in Review: SIFT Farm 2017

By John Wallace, SIFT Farm Manager SIFT farm tour with Urkranian environmental protection delegates. Photo: NCAT Head Start students releasing ladybugs grown in SIFT greenhouse. Photo: NCAT The SIFT demonstration farm had an exceptional year in regards… more »
Posted on: March 5th, 2018

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DIY: Seed Germination Heating Tables

By John Wallace, SIFT Farm Manager This year, we have had greens growing in our attached greenhouse throughout the entire winter. This greenhouse has a space in the back that we were able to add extra insulation and hang a light to supplement during the… more »
Posted on: February 15th, 2018

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