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livingontheland - Re: [Livingontheland] FYI on no-till

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Subject: Healthy soil and sustainable growing

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Chronological Thread  
  • From: Ken Hargesheimer <minifarms2@yahoo.com>
  • To: Healthy soil and sustainable growing <livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Livingontheland] FYI on no-till
  • Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2010 15:12:50 -0700 (PDT)

GARDENS/MINI-FARMS NETWORK

USA: TX, MS, FL, CA, AR, NM;  Mexico, Rep. Dominicana, Côté d’Ivoire, Nigeria,

Nicaragua, Honduras, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Haiti, England, India, Uzbekistan

Minifarms@gmail.com

Workshops in organic, no-till, permanent bed gardening, mini-farming and mini-ranching worldwide in English & Español

 

Organic, No-till Crop Production

 

These are based on the internet, US & international magazines, experiences teaching agriculture in many countries, research and farmer experiences in those countries.  They are ecologically sustainable, environmentally responsible, socially just and economically viable.   Farm inputs go to near 0, labor goes down by 50%, yields go up and profits rise.  There is unlimited, documented proof.  On mechanized farms, no-till reduced production cost 30% the first year and tripled profits in five years. [Argentine].  It is impossible to no-till farm without a no-till planter and/or drill and maybe a crimper.  On mini-farms the following can double the yields and reduce the labor by half compared to traditional methods.  There are 200,000,000 no-till acres worldwide. ¡It works!

 

1985-2000, Dr. Morrison, TX research station, proved that permanent beds, with permanent tracks, increase yields 15%.  In 2002, A D Hughes, Wolfforth, TX decided to go no-till and purchased a no-till planter.  He planted the cotton, harvested the cotton, planted wheat, knocked down the wheat and he was ready to plant again.  His cost went to the basement.  Buster Adair [806-755-2532] has been no-till [cotton] for forty years.  Steve Groff [cedarmeadowfarm.com] has been no-till [vegetables, corn] for 40 years. No till:  rolf-derpsch.com. Organic, no-till: rodaleinstitute.org

 

No technique yet devised by mankind has been anywhere near as effective at halting soil erosion and making food production truly sustainable as no-till (Baker)

 

1.      Restore the soil to its natural health.  Contamination: pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, inorganic fertilizers, etc.

2.      Maintain healthy soil: Healthy soil produces healthy plants for highest yields.

3.      Feed the soil; not the crops:  Organics feed the soil. Inorganic chemicals feed the crop and kill the soil life.

4.      Increase the soil organic matter every year.

5.      Maintain plant diversity  [with crops and with green manure/cover crops]

6.      Manage crops for highest profit per acre;  not the highest yield per acre

7.      Little or no external inputs [It is not necessary to buy anything from anybody.  Certain things are recommended]

8.      Leave all crop residues on top of the soil

9.      No-till:  no plowing, no disking, no cultivating. Saves fuel, labor, no weeds, no erosion, high yields, highest profits.

10.   Permanent beds [crops]

11.   Permanent tracks [tractor wheels.  15% yield increase.]

12.   Tractor [small] & no-till planter and/or drill and crimper/roller if needed.

13.   Organic fertilizers [probably will not need with healthy soil]

14.   Organic disease control [probably will not need].

15.   Organic herbicides [probably will not need].

16.   Organic pesticides [probably will not need].

17.   Biological pest control.

18.   Crop rotation

19.   Soil always covered

20.   Use green manures/cover crops.

21.   Feed the soil through the mulch.

22.   Organic matter  [Free.  When economically feasible, transport to the farm or ranch.  Use as mulch]

23.   Drip irrigation   [Purchase or DIY drip lines]

24.   Imitate nature. Most farmers fight nature. ¡Nature always wins!

 

Ken Hargesheimer

 




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