Caswell County Plasticulture Equipment for Rent to Farmers

— Written By Daniel Ostrowski
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

Your N.C. Cooperative Extension, Caswell County Center has new plasticulture equipment for rent thanks to the N.C. A&T State University Cash-Back Plasticulture program!

We have at our office in Yanceyville:

  • Nolts RB436 plastic layer for 3‐foot plastic (requires 25 ‐ 30 HP tractor)
  • Nolts RB446 plastic layer for 3‐ or 4‐foot plastic (requires 30 – 35 HP tractor)
  • RainFlo 1800 mulch lifter (requires 55 HP tractor)

Using plasticulture as a production method for growing fruits and vegetables has its advantages. Plasticulture has been proven to increase yield (up to three times greater), improve weed control and watering efficiency (water savings of up to 90 percent) and reduce fertilizer costs due to a targeted, more efficient use of applied nutrients. To help the state’s small farmers experience the advantage of these benefits, the Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University implemented a Plasticulture Equipment Rental/Cash Back Program that is operated through certain local Extension Centers. Below are some frequently asked questions about the Plasticulture Equipment Rental/Cash Back Program.

Who can rent the equipment?

Any North Carolina small farmer who wants to try plasticulture to grow crops. We may ask you to share your yield information with us for record keeping and impact reporting.

How do I rent the equipment?

The equipment will be rented on a first‐come, first‐served basis. Contact the county‐based staff member in the Extension Center nearest to you to request an application and to be placed on the loan schedule. The equipment is not officially reserved until the rental application and the waiver of liability form are completed, signed, and returned to the county Extension Center. Proper identification will be required when the equipment is picked up. The equipment cannot be rented for more than three days at a time.

How do I return the equipment?

The equipment should be returned to the location where it was picked up on the date indicated on the application. Any farmer who does not return the equipment when promised may not be allowed to rent it again and could be subject to a late fee. The equipment should be cleaned before it is returned. If you are an organic farmer please note that you are responsible for cleaning the equipment to meet organic certification standards.

Does it cost to rent the equipment?

Yes. Rental costs are based on the length of use. Half of the rental fee will be refunded if the equipment is returned on time, clean, and undamaged.

  • One‐day rental ‐ $50 due at pick up ‐ $25 returned if equipment is returned undamaged and clean.
  • Two‐day rental ‐ $100 due at pick up ‐ $50 returned if equipment is returned undamaged and clean.
  • Three‐day rental ‐ $150 due at pick up ‐ $75 returned if equipment is returned undamaged and clean.

You will lose the other half of your rental fee if the equipment is not returned on time.

How do I pay the rental fee?

When the equipment is picked up, the farmer should provide both of the following:

  1. A money order or cashier’s check for half of the total rental amount. This payment will be sent to N.C. A&T State University.
  2. A personal check for the other half of the rental fee, also payable to N.C. A&T State University.

This check will be held at the Extension Center and returned to the farmer if the equipment is returned undamaged, clean, and on time. Make sure to include the wording “Plasticulture rental fee” on the memo line of both checks.

Example: If a farmer rents the machine for three days, the rental cost is $150. A money order or cashier’s check for $75, half of the total amount, and payable to N.C. A&T State University should be given to the Cooperative Extension agent. The agent will mail this payment to N.C. A&T State University. As well, a personal check for the remaining $75 and payable to N.C. A&T State University should be given to the Cooperative Extension agent. This check will be returned to the farmer if the equipment is returned undamaged, clean, and on time.