Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Liz <liz@allslash.org>]

At 04:32 PM 7/30/2008, you wrote:

> Glad to have your input as a range ecologist. I don't post all these 
> things because I just happen to agree with everything, but to 
> provoke discussion on issues the public needs to see. As a teen in 
> the '50s I worked with my father with herefords on his place, made 
> fence by hand in east TX summer heat (endless), and in '57 we sodded 
> fifty acres in coastal bermuda for permanent pasture. It worked very 
> well with vetch and cut way down on spending for hay, not to mention 
> holding soil in place and doing away with any need for annual 
> seeding. My best memories were circling those pastures, high up on a 
> tractor, mowing to hold down weeds and spur bermuda spread, clounds 
> and blue sky overhead, without a worry in the world.

Do you happen to know what would be appropriate for permanent pasture 
in southwest Virginia, if anything? I've been talking to the local 
farmers and to the ag agent about putting some of my land in pasture, 
and everyone assures me it can't be done without a tractor (or hiring 
someone to do it for me). I have 29 acres, but it's in long narrow 
pieces that aren't really suitable for tractor cultivation anyway. 
Something that didn't have to be reseeded every year would be ideal. 
I realize you didn't have the same kind of winters in east Texas that 
we have here, but is there anything you can suggest for this area?

Anyone?

Liz in SW VA
http://life-as-a-spectator-sport.com