The objectives of the ongoing no-till potato studies are to increase adoption of no-till mulching practices through co-development of research methods, to support farmers to refine their practices within a collaborative network of support, and to introduce research skills to farmers. 

Thirteen farmers at different locations across Ontario in 2024-2025 grew potatoes with the following mulches instead of hilling: woodchips, spent hay, straw, leaves, waste wool and/or deep compost. Farmers could choose to compare mulching against a “business as usual” hilled planting or test the no-till method alone. They could also test multiple mulches. 

• A majority of the trials met or exceeded the benchmark of 2.4–3.0 kg/m² using no-till mulching methods 
• 12/13 participating farmers said they would continue using these methods in the future
• The main challenges included delayed sprouting while calibrating mulch depth and rodent pressure
• The main benefits observed were labour savings and soil moisture retention

Funding for the project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada under the Agricultural Climate Solutions – Living Labs program and by the following partners: Beef Farmers of Ontario, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Pork and Ontario Sheep Farmers. The project is coordinated by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association.