An Integer Programming Approach to Crop Rotation Planning at an Organic Farm

Abstract

Crop rotation is an important component of organic farming because it can help to maintain healthy soil and provide weed and pest control without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Dickinson College has a certified organic farm consisting of 24 different fields that grow 13 different crop groups. We develop a mixed-integer program that determines a four-year crop rotation schedule that takes into account crop yield requirements, irrigation type, weed control, feeding habits, and other considerations. The extensive model was constructed using an iterative process in which the model evolved to address issues identified by the farm managers at each iteration.