Today we got the analysis results for the sediments sampled on our farm by the NC State University, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Nutrient Management and Animal Waste Specialist. Two samples were submitted. The bacterial report was negative for salmonella, and E. coli 0157:h7 and generic E. coli counts were extremely low within natural limits. All samples were screened for heavy metals. Testing shows no evidence of heavy metals contamination. This means we are good to move forward with planting cover crops once debris is removed. So, good news on this!
Robert does not want to incorporate this sediment into our existing garden plots, however. He plans on moving these deposits to another location in the field. For the most part, our soil is a beautiful, rich, fluffy mixture which one can run one’s fingers through! As CSA Members, you know the kinds of nutritious veggies we are able to produce in this soil. There are some clay pack sections in the gardens, of course, and we know where those areas are. The vegetables never grow well in a clay pack area. The sediment left behind by Helene looks like clay pack, so we will find another place for it outside of our designated gardens.
I met with the USDA Farm Service Agency Project Technician for Buncombe County on Wednesday, November 20 to discuss debris removal from the property. Slowly some progress is being made on this front as well. Now it is time to locate the “big boy” toys and operating personnel necessary for de-tangling the remnants of Helene from our once beautiful (and private) tree lines. One tree line ran parallel to Cane Creek. Three more tree lines divided our fields and ran perpendicular to Cane Creek. Down the middle tree line runs Spring Creek which is a very small tributary to Cane Creek. Helene left a mess in all four.
As we approach this first Thanksgiving Season post-Helene in WNC, we are counting our Blessings.
Cane Creek Asparagus & Company CSA 