22 News WWLP
By Tashanea Whitlow
Published: September 1, 2017
HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) – Technology in the 21st Century is taking farming to a new level; or, at least, a new altitude. Instead of spreading “cover crop” seeds by hand or tractor, Barstow Farm in Hadley is using a helicopter to plant winter grass and grain.
Normally, farmers cut the corn before dropping the seeds into the soil. Using a helicopter is faster, and helps add nutrients for next year’s crop.
“Covering cropping is super important because it’s going to keep the top soil in place throughout the windy winter,” Denise Barstow explained. “And then we can mix the winter rye back into all the crops, back into the soil in the springtime.”