In November 2022, Dr. Shavonn and Jonathan Watkins established Sowing Development Farms (SDS Farms) in Terry, MS, a few miles south of Jackson. This small-scale USDA National Poultry Improvement Certified and natural vegetable production family farm specializes in pastured poultry, eggs, okra, and squash. As the sole vendor providing produce at their local farmers market, the Watkins also cater their production to the tastes and culture of their community.
Zero-Waste Farming
SDS Farms’ operation is based on regenerative and no-waste agricultural practices, drawing on their combined expertise. Shavonn Watkins, with a Ph.D. in entomology from Texas A&M, specializes in international agricultural development, crop improvement, and integrated pest management (IPM) across sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. She now works at the intersection of clean technology and agriculture to reduce the sector’s high greenhouse gas emissions.
With a background in marine biology and 18 years of coding experience, Jonathan Watkins brings his own unique perspective to the farm. Together, they harness their expertise to combine nature-driven and modern-day technologies in new ways to achieve sustainability at SDS Farms.
The Watkins prioritize eco-friendly and regenerative practices that use available resources. “Nothing goes to waste on this farm,” they share. For example, chicken waste is used to build up soil health. Produce not sold is used as chicken feed or composted. The chickens also assist in pest management, alongside other IPM strategies such as introducing ladybugs and installing birdhouses to create habitat for pest-eating birds. In addition to these nature-based approaches, the Watkins apply a novel strategy to minimize waste at SDS Farms: 3D printing technology.
“Imagine needing a new handle quickly for one of your garden tools or some tractor part in 20 minutes. I could have it printed and ready for use. Wow! Imagine needing a hinge for a door. In rural communities, the nearest store could be 20 minutes away. I can print one in 10 seconds!”
3D Printing on the Farm
3D printing is a process of making 3D objects from a digital file. An object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is complete. Each layer is a thinly sliced cross-section of the item.
3D printing is considered less wasteful because the manufacturing process is additive rather than subtractive, meaning that a 3D-printed item uses precisely the amount of material needed rather than drilling, cutting, or shaping the item out of a larger amount of material. 3D printing an object also reduces the need for shipping, eliminating packaging waste and transportation emissions.
The Watkins have found many ways to apply 3D printing in their daily operations. For example, if they need to replace a broken part on their tools or equipment, they can print a new part in 10 minutes instead of waiting days. About half of their chicken coop was created with their 3D printer. Not one to rest on his laurels, J. Watkins has taken the technology a step further by incorporating AI. “We’ve had a problem with chickens in our garden. So I’m using AI technology to detect when they get into the garden, which can be tracked, and we can then humanely deter them from getting in.”
J. Watkins says that the possibilities for using 3D printing on their farm are almost infinite. “Imagine needing a new handle quickly for one of your garden tools or some tractor part in 20 minutes. I could have it printed and ready for use. Wow! Imagine needing a hinge for a door. In rural communities, the nearest store could be 20 minutes away. I can print one in 10 seconds!” he says. “As printers become more accessible and easy to use, I think every family should probably have one.”
The Watkins are not just innovators but also educators, eager to share their knowledge. “We would love to collaborate with other farmers in this area to help them benefit from the technology in our rural community. We could introduce them to technology that could revolutionize their operations.” Their commitment to knowledge sharing and community building is an inspiration, inviting other farmers to experiment and explore new ways to harness technology to boost efficiency and achieve more sustainable outcomes.
Otis Wright, Jr. is a farmer and RAFI’s Farmer Resources Coordinator in Mississippi. His years of experience working with farmers on the business of farming contribute to his current work with RAFI as a technical assistance provider focusing on USDA’s FSA and NRCS.