permaculture

[Neil Bertrando <neilbertrando@gmail.com>]

Thanks for the great feedback and the social climate context assessment.  I
agree reality is based on practicalities and that is where work can make a
difference to more people and on larger areas of land.  I would like to
focus my works towards this end as well, so I definitely benefit from more
exposure to real-world details to balance idealism.

I understand that implementing a full Keyline Design system is both
expensive and difficult to do with permitting in much of the US at least.
Also, the timeline doesn't fit many scientific studies' deadlines and budget
requirements.  So I would love to hear the approach taken regarding these
constraints and ways to improve integrating the strategies and patterns of
various system methodologies (i.e. HM, Permaculture, Keyline, etc) for whole
farm planning and decision making.

I agree that Rapid topsoil development is a practical point of focus with
the one of the best, if not the best, return on investment for farmers and
ecosystems. A least change for the greatest effect scenario?

This being the case, my concern with research on the Keyline Design system's
role in Topsoil Development is to consider the role scale plays as the
pattern is applied across landform shapes when designing a research study.
Can we take something that is 'more' accessible such as simply applying
Keyline pattern cultivation (maybe combined with diverse cover cropping on
some areas) and test for the effects on ecosystem processes when it is
applied in a manner that is more comparable to how it is used in whole farm
planning?  For example if a test plot is 15 m x 15 m, then does this test
the role of Keyline pattern cultivation and it's effects on hydrologic
function, soil biology, OM content, etc. at the landscape scale.  I can see
how it might if 5 or 10 or 100 hectares were pattern cultivated and then
test plots were set up within this area for sampling and the questions asked
and data collected reflected this 'nesting' within a larger system.

In Reno, we are working on some similar projects and are trying to secure
funding to do more.  We are working with Keyline pattern cultivation and
some integration of rest of the Keyline Design components, and we are
assessing interest in peri-urban grazing research to see assess if the
multiple needs of weed mitigation, fire protection, non-point source
pollution, and development of ecosystem services can be met through well
planned, well managed grazing businesses.

For this reason, I appreciate any information that applies to working within
the constraints of the current paradigm and how we can interface with this
edge to develop healthy communities and healthy ecosystems.  I hope that any
info, background, references, or details of current projects that
demonstrate viable applications of rapid topsoil development will continue
to be shared here to help us all with our works.

Another concern I have is the role science plays in policy.  If we can
coordinate quality studies that demonstrate rapid topsoil development, then
we may be able to amplify the outreach and implementation through leveraging
policy.  If research doesn't directly affect farmers and ranchers decision
making as much as other manager's experience, then the products of research
might be best focused at the level of policy, which can then feedback into
implementation at the farm or ranch level through other means (perhaps
funding through NRCS grants, etc.).  I haven't thought about this in much
detail, so this is a quick and dirty thought on options for cycling the
energy of research back to application.

I look forward to hearing more about people's progress and projects in this
realm.

best to all,
Neil

On Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 3:49 PM, Darren Doherty 
<darren@permaculture.biz>wrote:

> G'day,
>
> Thanks for this assessment Neil. I have been enlisted as a consultant to
> this project and accordingly my intentions are similar to those you've
> outlined, however are tempered by the status quo I see around the world in
> my work in broadacre agriculture.
>
> It is in fact very rare to see the full raft of Keyline Design concepts in
> place. Even some of Yeoman's own properties didn't 'have it all'. The main
> issue I would take with the suggestion that 'pilot scale plots are
> insufficient' is the time problem. I.e. it would take a good 5-10-20 years
> to get the full Keyline Design landscape developed to some state of
> maturity
> where the contour strip forest systems are of a stature where their effects
> on the system are developed enough IMO. Perhaps most pertinent is the
> reality that most contemporary agricultural systems are not by any means
> highly integrated systems, quite the opposite, and so to create useful
> examples of research in this sphere some simplification is necessary lest
> we
> create examples that the rank and file ag person is not going to identify
> with, no matter how good they are.
>
> There have been plenty of attempts to have such studies completed from
> Yeomans himself to my international work and others with SARE applications
> stateside etc all not being supported. Whatever the case many people here
> in
> Australia and elsewhere understand enough of Keyline practices (as distinct
> from the whole ideal system you speak of) that they are doing what they
> can,
> and this starts with the rapid topsoil development, which for me is the
> most
> important aspect of the Keyline system.
>
> Our development of the RegenAG*®* concept has been to bring all of these
> concepts together under the scope of HM Decision Making, explored using
> Permaculture and other Ecological Design principles and applied using
> Permaculture Ethics. We are encouraging land managers to use the tools that
> best suit their situation. Science doesn't really inform many of the land
> managers that we work with as they are much more interested in hearing from
> other land managers and those without a product to sell.
>
> Gotta run,
>
> Ciao,
>
> Darren
>
> On 22 March 2011 08:57, Neil Bertrando <neilbertrando@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Quick thought on this.
> >
> > Keyline Design's effectiveness is partially associated with it's
> > application
> > as a whole system design at a 'landscape' scale.  I encourage you to
> > consider how you design your study plots' size and spatial relationships
> > based on this info.  In my opinion, pilot scale plots are insufficient
> for
> > assessment and analysis of Keyline Design (and probably for Keyline
> pattern
> > cultivation effects as well).  If possible, whole farm plots would be
> > ideal.
> >  In either case, please consider the role of scale and how it may affect
> > your results.
> >
> > I would love to see all the variables you mentioned tested.
> >
> > Another aspect to consider is the role of adaptive management and
> > monitoring
> > in the success of systems such as Keyline and Holistic planned grazing.
> >  This makes it difficult to design an experiment with 'scientific rigor'
> > since rotation is based on monitoring and response to changing
> > environmental
> > conditions and is not a set number of days that can be repeated from plot
> > to
> > plot throughout one year or on the same plot from year to year.  Not to
> say
> > it cannot be done, just that it will be imagination intensive.
> >
> > If you haven't heard the interview with Dan Daggett on the
> Agroinnovations
> > podcast, I suggest you check it out.  The discussion touches on the
> > relationship between science and management, but not really Keyline.  I
> > think that they hit the nail on the head with respect to the difficulty
> in
> > assessing Permaculture and Holistic Management systems scientifically.  I
> > hope you find the info useful with respect to your project design.
> >
> > here's a link,
> >
> >
> http://agroinnovations.com/index.php/en_us/multimedia/blogs/podcast/2010/10/episode-109-the-gardeners-of-eden/
> >
> > Perhaps the Resilience Science framework for studying Socio-Ecological
> > systems could also provide some insights with regards to study design.
> >
> > This site may be helpful:
> > http://rs.resalliance.org/
> >
> > cheers,
> > Neil
> >
> >
> >
> > On Tue, Mar 15, 2011 at 12:15 PM, Rich Blaha <rich@mossbackfarm.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Mike
> > >
> > > These guys http://soilcarboncoalition.org/ have started the process
> > > measuring pasture carbon sequestration...their sidebar link on
> monitoring
> > > gives some good comprehensive methods for what you're trying to
> measure.
> > >
> > > Good luck.  We're looking at doing some similar trials...I look forward
> > to
> > > hearing how yours go
> > >
> > > Cheers
> > >
> > > Rich
> > > www.mossbackfarm.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On 3/14/2011 10:24 AM, permaculture-request@lists.ibiblio.org wrote:
> > >
> > >> Send permaculture mailing list submissions to
> > >>        permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
> > >>
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> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Today's Topics:
> > >>
> > >>    1. salmon-nettle soup with all native ingredients (paul wheaton)
> > >>    2. Variables for Keyline System Trials (Michael Snow)
> > >>    3. Bleeding Heartland:: ISU professor sounds alarm about future
> > >>       of Leopold Center (Lawrence F. London, Jr.)
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Message: 2
> > >> Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 14:12:30 -0700
> > >> From: Michael Snow<msnow@valley.net>
> > >> To: permaculture<permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
> > >> Subject: [permaculture] Variables for Keyline System Trials
> > >> Message-ID:<7CA24431-FA79-4061-B0CE-BDCB593B0297@valley.net>
> > >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Keyliners and Statisticians,
> > >>
> > >> As part of a grazers network in Maryland, we've acquired a yeoman's
> > plow,
> > >> with three shanks, coulters, standard toolbar, roller, seedboxes.  We
> > are in
> > >> a sensitive watershed, the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and work in part
> to
> > >> encourage grass-based systems.
> > >>
> > >> We're designing a plan for evaluating it's use and effectiveness in
> > >> improving soil quality, productivity, and environmental quality.  This
> > is an
> > >> initial trial - not intended to be a rigorous, long-term experiment in
> > >> itself, but we do expect it to be used to make initial observations
> > which
> > >> might translate into more formal research.  That said, we'd like our
> > trial
> > >> to be tight and this is my request for assistance.
> > >>
> > >> This year, four farms are involved, and University extension will
> > >> collaborate.  Two of these farms are organic dairies, one entirely
> > >> grass-based and utilizing mob grazing, the other largely grass-based
> > with
> > >> some feed-crop production.  Of the other two sites, one is on
> Extension
> > >> land, the other is a beef grazing operation.
> > >>
> > >> Although we have some funding and that collaboration, we are
> interested
> > in
> > >> monitoring perhaps 4-8 variables over three years, samples and tests
> > largely
> > >> pulled by farmers.  Have any of you been involved in formal research
> of
> > >> keyline as a system?  Regardless, do you have any suggestions for
> > building a
> > >> protocol for this project?  A tentative list we are trying to whittle
> > down
> > >> so far includes:
> > >>
> > >>        Bulk density, porosity, aggregate stability, penetration
> > resistance
> > >>        Infiltration rate
> > >>        N, P measurements and sediment load (to compare to Bay Program
> > >> baselines)
> > >>        Soil testing: biological (eg, soil food web, though expensive),
> > >> chemical; Organic Matter; evaluating changes in the A horizon (depth,
> > >> transition to B horizon)
> > >>        Forage productivity: forage testing, both biomass and quality
> > >> through fecal samples; percent cover and species diversity; brix
> > >>        Milk production
> > >>        Field moisture
> > >>        The ever popular how'd-it-do test, subjective qualitative
> > analysis
> > >>
> > >> Fields are divided to two, keeping soil class, texture, slope, and
> > >> management consistent.  They'll be evaluated side by side.
> > >>
> > >> We do hope to develop this protocol in fairly short order.  Your
> > >> suggestions are most welcome,
> > >>
> > >> Mike
> > >>
> > >> ------------------------------
> > >>
> > >> ******************************
> > >>
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>
>
> --
> Hooroo,
> Darren J. Doherty
> UPCOMING EVENTS
>
> 2011 RegenAG <http://goog_1946592595>® <http://www.regenag.com/> Workshop
> Series Australia & Aotearoa/New Zealand
> Autumn 2011 EU RegenAG® Tour with Darren Doherty - Spain, UK, Germany, EU
> _________________________________________
> AUSTRALIA FELIX PERMACULTURE
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