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  • From: "souscayrous" <souscayrous@wanadoo.fr>
  • To: <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: RE: [permaculture] Pasture Renovation and Fertility
  • Date: Wed, 7 Aug 2002 19:54:35 +0200

Frank, what you need is a little willing slave labour - I know that Willing
Workers On Organic Farms (WWOOF) work in the US and I would think similar
ventures, internships, volunteer organisations, local networks of
sustainable/organically minded people could also be approached. Youthful
enthusiasm knows no bounds and when directed at worthwhile ventures can
literally change the world. Start talking to other farmers who work
organically or the nearest PC setup.

Try www.wwoof.org as a start.

Souscayrous

-----Original Message-----
From: permaculture-admin@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:permaculture-admin@lists.ibiblio.org]On Behalf Of FranksFarm@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 2:39 PM
To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [permaculture] Pasture Renovation and Fertility

Good day UTE, and all:)

In a message dated 8/5/02 6:46:49 PM, sustag@eircom.net writes:

<< Have you considered piling all that stuff into 'deadwood windrows'? They
can be used to create new hedgerows with all the benefits hedgerows
give. Takes some years (birds roost, drop seed with faeces), but can
also be speeded up by planting saplings in amongst the debris where they
are sheltered from browsing cows. >>

UTE, I always read your posts with interest. The ideas that you mention
above
are in keeping with PC etc. And I'd like to have more trees in pasture etc.

However there are major considerations that often seem to be omitted.

First do you have any idea of the labor, and time involved in collecting and
moving tons of such debris on over 2 miles of fence. I spent 3 full days
gathering and burning some of this, and it does not look like I've done a
thing! And some of the stuff is far too large/heavy to move without tractor.

Somehow ideas like creating swales; moving dirt which seem so worthwhile
require far more labor/time than the available labor(me) can supply:) Even
with machinery if I had all the machinery I could use. he he

I realize since most of the stuff is downed wood, often rotted and laden
with
fungi, critters,twigs, branches,downed trees,stumps etc that it is a
valuable
resource. But I don't know how to practically get it where needed. I even
considered cutting up larger stuff but that would take days. Plus I have no
need for firewood, and selling stuff that neighbors often get free is not
likely.

Renting a heavy duty shredder is also not kind to the pocketbook, and again
requires too much labor in simply gathering it even if it were all somehow
piled right next to the machine.

I realize that your comments were just top of mind. But I find that often PC
is laced with such seemingly good ideas. However, now that I've finally left
the city to start life on the farm. I'm finding PC, sustainable ag far more
difficult to APPLY on the farm than I'd imagined, especially without lots of
help.

There's only so much a man can do...and it's not the type of stuff you
invite
friends over to do! Besides I'm considered a "furiner( local speak for
foreigner) down here, and don't have any kin, or folks I can count on.

I've come to realize why so many farmers down here have big trucks, and lots
of machinery. A trap that I'd hope to avoid. Tough getting around that
though
on a farm of size. Of course that was my choice...but somehow as a city
fellow lots of acres don't make that much of an impression.

And I need to make this farm, and acreage pay for itself. I opted to lead
the
simple life, spending little to stretch out limited income. So far I have
spent a lot more than I anticipated. Could haunt me down the road.

However, the place is relatively free and clear so my equity has gone up.
The
saving grace is that I can probably solve most needs by taking home equity
if
needed.

Never a dull day though:) Sometimes I yearn for days where I can just get
out
in the woods for walks, observation etc.

Got to go! Thanks. Frank


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