permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

On 4/26/2012 5:27 AM, Dieter Brand wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I remember reading that Egyptian farming a few thousand years ago
> produced a higher yield per acre than industrial farming in the US
> today.
>
> My files and data resources are in a complete mess and I can’t find
> that reference again.  I now need it because I’m involved in a
> general discussion forum about the need for sustainable farming.
> These people are completely ignorant about farming and firmly believe
> that industrial farming is the most efficient farming method in
> existence.  They won’t believe anything I say unless I come up with
> some good references.
>
> Can somebody help me out with some easy to understand references or
> scientific studies showing example of traditional farming that did
> achieve a higher yield than industrial farming.

Here is something regarding the use of natural farming methods and
materials versus synthetic chemical fertilizer:

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [SANET-MG] Fertilizer in furrow
Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:44:22 -0400
From: Rich Molini <richmo@INDY.NET>
To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU

   Ostensibly, the best solution is to not add a substance that will
harm your seed or soil life. That being, do not grow corn unless you
have developed a well mineralized soil from utilizing natural fertility
techniques. The more one employs silver bullets to extract a gain the
longer it will take to achieve a stable fertile system and avoid costly
and damaging inputs. I grow 125-150 bushel open pollinated corn with no
synthetic inputs. That is likely where you want to be.

Rich

<>

That is from a practicing natural fermer in the Midwest USA. There is
tons of information on the benefits of natural farming versus chemical.
You can draw the conclusion that higher sustained yields can be achieved
with natural, permanent agriculture and, of course integration of
permaculture systems. Considering the fact that designs of systems
to assure that this happens are limitless in number when working within
the spheres of permaculture plus natural, diversified, permanent,
notill, minimum till, regenerative, biological, biointensive,
sustainable, beyond organic agriculture.

Balancing nutrients and minerals in the soil is critical. Adding organic
matter, rock dusts, composts, manures and other high nutrient soil
amendments (greensand, azomite, seaweed, fish meal, alfalfa meal, etc.)
can be added with such a program. Tilth and depth of tilth are important
as is drainage and mulching to add fertility and reduce water loss. All
these things contribute to long term productivity of farmland and
gardens without erosion, nutrient leaching, harvested crop quality
and excessive depletion of soil nutrients. Also, I feel that biochar can
help considerably as can ordinary rock powders from rock quarries.

LL