Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[mdnagel@verizon.net]

Energy != minerals.  Energy can affect minerals, mineral "production" 
(breakdown), but these are two different things.

When things leave the farm you lose both minerals and energy.  The energy is 
readily replenished via the sun.  Minerals, well... they come from existing 
"stock," or, as most often the case, are imported from outside the farm: you 
can assist the breakdown of minerals, but there's a point at which one can 
over-mine the soil.


-Mark Nagel
Everett, WA


Aug 20, 2010 08:07:55 AM, livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org wrote:

>I remember early on in this list's history that there was a discussion 
>about sustainability. "The sun is always pouring energy into the earth, 
>
>so sustainability is achievable even when a farm is 'exporting 
>nutrients' by selling produce off-farm" was the basic premise.
>
>That struck me as a very critical factor in the agricultural debate, and 
>perhaps in the political landscape as well.
>
>Does anyone have a good article on that, or a suggestion for a concise 
>read I can share on the topic?
>
>As always, Thanks for this discussion!
>
>Laurie Ann
>attempting five acres and independence in Foyil
>