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They’re Making Milkweeds A New Cash Crop
A group of farmers in Quebec and the far northeast U.S., organized under the name Monark Cooperative, are growing milkweeds as a new income-producing crop. Nathalie Leonard leads the group and farms with her brother in Lac-du-Cerf, Quebec. Her family has about 60 acres dedicated to milkweeds, which were planted in the spring of 2016. She’s harvesting the first seed pods this fall. Their farm also grows grains and hay, has U-pick strawberry and blueberry fields, a cow-calf operation, cabin rentals on a lake, and a bakery that turns their berries into desserts.
  Leonard says that even though milkweeds are a vigorous native plant in the wild that can thrive in rough soil and dry conditions, in a farm field they need a specific pH and definitely fare better if fertilized. After the plants are established, each rhizome creates 5 new rhizomes a year. Pod production starts after the 2nd year, and beyond the 3rd and 4th year it’s better. Leonard says a crop should yield pods for 10 years on the same field.
  On Leonard’s farm they’re experimenting with management and harvesting practices. They’re harvesting pods by hand and with a special harvester that isn’t quite working like they want it to yet.
  Because milkweeds are non-GMO, Leonhard says they fit their operation perfectly. In addition to being the sole host for monarch butterfly eggs and benefitting many other insects, there’s a market for milkweed seed and fiber. Milkweed fiber has been used as an oil absorbing agent as well as insulation for jackets and vests. Because it’s non-allergenic, the fiber might also find its way into pillows, mattresses and toy stuffing.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Nathalie and Ghislain Leonard, 123 A, Route 311, Lac-du-Cerf, Quebec J0W 1S1, Canada (fermehleonard@gmail.com).



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2018 - Volume #42, Issue #6