I see the Hoppy Acre field in the photo has no mulch. Bummer. And dumber. Soil erosion by wind, rain and sun. So leaching of nutrients. Etc. Etc. All well-known issues, even to the USDA, who recommends steps for this. Grr.<p>Read up about, and more importantly, experiment with and implement mulching, no-till, permaculture, no monoculture, etc.