The objectives of the ongoing no-till winter squash 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. 

Five farmers at different locations across Ontario used typical planting techniques and mulched with one of the following materials: woodchips, spent hay, straw, leaves, and/or deep compost. Farmers could choose to compare mulching against a “business as usual” 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 2.0 kg/m² using no-till mulching methods 
• All five farmer-researchers planned on continuing to use this method and four out of five plan to participate in 2026 trials 
• Weed control and soil moisture retention were the most commonly listed benefits

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.