How do we choose what research projects we undertake at the Kenosha Urban Farm Institute, KUFI Farm.org? We determine if it is a match with our Four Guiding Principals
Four Guiding Principals of KUFI Farm.org
Advance Dry Farming
That’s growing without the use of plumbed-in water. In this way, our work can be replicated in areas affected by drought. We also want to help the world adapt to climate change and be a force for resource conservation – not hasten resource depletion. Therefore, our research focuses on how we can do more with less.
Enrich Connections
Connecting in our community, beyond our community, around the globe and to the very soil. Enriching that connection to the earth so all find their balance with life – and in return experience happiness, good health & live productively.
This principal is one shared with Blue Zone Projects, areas of the world where the population has a large number of individuals who reach over 100 years of age. This is an area of study that we are looking to become more involved with in the future.
Advance Research
We aim to support others who aim to further health, wellness, and agriculture research by sharing what we learn, opening our data for greaterr analysis to others in the field both for validation and to encourage more experimentation and study of changing growing conditions. We do this to increase humanity’s ability to adapt now and beyond even our time here.
Phytomining Friendly
Restore the vast diversity of micro-organisms in the soil through regenerative growing methods which minimize soil disruptions. This improves soil health long-term and has huge advantages such as providing plants more natural protection from drought, pests, and harmful pathogens.
KUFI Farm.org Active Research Groups
Our first venture Kenosha Potato Project, aka KPP, began as a germplasm project for Seed Savers Exchange, focused on selecting and propagating potato varieties with high heat and drought tolerance for Southeastern Wisconsin.
Kenosha Potato
Est 2007
This initiative has sparked a global community of potato breeders, many adopting our compost-filled fabric container method to boost yields. We sell tubers to fundraise and test them in local recipes. This project has members participating from ALL OVER THE GLOBE! Growers in over 150 countries engage to share growing knowledge, experience with different heirloom varietals and more.
👉 Join us: Kenosha Potato Project on Facebook
🌐 Visit: kenoshapotato.com
The love for garlic is strong in our community! This group focuses on identifying fertile garlic varieties and enhancing botanical seed production. We collaborate globally to refine flavor profiles, develop detailed variety descriptions, and preserve heritage garlic plants.
👉 Join us: Kenosha Garlic Collectors on Facebook
Kenosha Garlic Collectors
Kenosha Perennial Onions
👉 Join us: Kenosha Perennial Onions on Facebook
A regional initiative, our perennial onion research prioritizes varieties that minimize bolting and emphasize exceptional flavor. The project’s focus on asexual propagation and flavor evaluation helps us select the best regional varieties.
Dedicated to perfecting the Kenosha Paste Tomato, a local heirloom variety, this group implements unique vine-pruning techniques to reduce bottom-end rot. Adapted to Kenosha’s micro-climate by Lake Michigan, this tomato has been a staple for over a century.
This tomato is also resistant to bruising. This project has potential to solve one of the world’s biggest areas of produce waste!
👉 Join us: One Vine Tomato on Facebook
over a century.
Most exciting is the way this tomato stores. It can be harvested and then sit on your kitchen counter with NO REFRIDGERATION and eaten months later. Yes, you can bite into a ripe, fresh tomato from the garden on Christmas morning. Even New Years.
One Vine Tomato
Swiss Bee Chalet™
Data on temperature, humidity, and ventilation is collected and analyzed.
Our beekeeping research might become our most critical endeavor. Inspired by Swiss alpine methods, we house our hives in insulated sheds equipped with standard American beekeeping tools.
to study the optimal conditions for bee colony health and productivity. Future research will explore the impact of queen genealogy on hive success.
👉 Join us: Swiss Bee Chalet on Facebook
Tied to our honeybee research, this project investigates chestnut trees’ pollen and nectar, which have medicinal benefits for bees. We focus on tackling blight and evaluating grafted versus non-grafted saplings for enhanced tree performance👉
Kenosha Chestnut Project
Join us: One Vine Tomato on Facebook
This initiative is all about celebrating the native pawpaw fruit.
Kenosha pawpaw project
KPM Lazy Cook – Launched in 2024
Embrace the ease of seasonal eating with the Kenosha Public Market Lazy Cook project! We research effortless ways to harvest and prepare fresh, local produce without the need for extensive gardening. Imagine stepping outside and gathering delicious, naturally grown ingredients that you didn’t have to plant or tend to.
👉 Join us for tasty tips and inspiration: KPM Lazy Cook on Facebook
We’re experimenting with cultivating these shade-tolerant shrubs alongside chestnut trees to test their potential as companion crops. The aim is to create a dual-crop system for higher yield in shared groves.
👉 Join us: Kenosha Pawpaw Project on Facebook
