Michael Maman - Independent Agricultural Practitioner

I am an independent agricultural practitioner with hands-on experience in sustainable and regenerative farming. I graduated from the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Agriculture Veteran Farmer Apprenticeship Program and remain connected through Arcadia’s alumni network and partner farms. I am applying to the AgriSphere Network to share field-tested expertise and collaborate on pilot projects with practitioners and organizations advancing sustainable farming. During my apprenticeship, I gained experience in small-scale organic, low-till vegetable production and farm operations, including irrigation setup and monitoring. We applied these practices to maximize crop yields in order to support food access initiatives in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region through Arcadia’s mobile markets. In June 2025, I completed a Regenerative Viticulture Intensive at The Vineyards at Dodon, in partnership with Kelly Mulville and the Paicines Ranch Learning Center. This field- and classroom-based workshop provided practical application basics for holistic vineyard management, with emphasis on soil and ecosystem health, silvopasture, integrated pest management, biodiversity, and climate-resilient farming systems. Through the AgriSphere Network, I look forward to sharing local practitioner-level insights while collaborating with a diverse network of stakeholders to advance resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.

Freelancer

location_on United States

Michael Maman - Independent Agricultural Practitioner mail m.maman@fastmail.fm location_on Chevy Chase, MD, USA

call +12022438204 (EST)

Solutions

Leaf Mulch for Weed Suppression

TRL 1 - Basic principles observed

In-Field IoT Sensors

Tested leaf mulch application on 140’ beds across a 3-acre field to suppress weeds, improve soil cover, and reduce labor. This low-cost, practical method demonstrates potential for optimization and scaling using sensors or analytics to improve weed management efficiency and monitor soil health over time.

Low-Tech Soil Monitoring for Small Farms

TRL 1 - Basic principles observed

In-Field IoT Sensors

Observed changes in soil structure after broadforking compost-amended dense clay beds in a greenhouse before seeding. After several months of growing carrots, beets, radishes, and spinach, the beds were flipped and broadforked again for new crops. Soil became more aerated and less dense over time, suggesting opportunities for low-cost, real-time monitoring tools to help farmers track soil health, compaction, and nutrient improvements. Even simple sensors or manual data collection could support optimized soil management and improved crop productivity.

Companion Herb Plantings to Repel Cabbage Moths

TRL 1 - Basic principles observed

Experimented with thyme, rosemary, lavender, and sage to deter pests naturally. Herbs were grown around kale and collard greens. Lavender was the strongest contender for repelling cabbage moths. Demonstrates how ecological methods can reduce pesticide use; data from these experiments could inform decision-support tools for precision integrated pest management. Sensors or cameras could monitor pest activity and plant health in companion planting setups. Tech solutions could recommend optimal plant pairings for different regions, soils, or climates.