permaculture

[venaurafarm <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

On 10/8/2012 1:18 PM, KAKerby@aol.com wrote:

> One of the really interesting developments in recent years is the addition
> of earthworms to the mix.  That is also hotly contested where some folks
> claim it's not necessary or even beneficial, while others swear their systems
>   won't run without it.  There is a lot to be said for worm castings, and
> the  worms keep the system very nicely cleaned of any biological buildup which
>   otherwise wouldn't have a purpose and becomes a maintenance issue.  My
> "take" on it is that such buildup is an "output" begging to become an "input",
>   and worms are a nice way to do that.  But those populations do need to be
> balanced within an ever-more-complex system, and that takes more effort.
> Furthermore, some folks wonder if the aquaponics should then be called
> "vermiponics" and well, I guess that could be argued either way.

Brilliant. Another feature to add to a whole systems approach. Thanks 
for submitting this. Permaculture says "the problem is the solution".
Look at functions within a system and see what can be added to the stack.

> What I find fascinating is that at the end of the day, both "soil-based"
> and "soilless-based" ag forms are moving towards each other and becoming
> nearly  indistinguishable over the passage of time.  Totally organic (ie,
> carbon-based) systems, such as peat-moss or coir-based media systems 
> eventually
> need powdered rock and/or other mineral, inorganic inputs to stay  balanced.

That's quite a challenge but a necessary one.
Maybe you could keep us up to date on developments in this area of 
natural agriculture.

Hope your farming ventures are working out as planned and that you will 
be able to own and preserve that valuable farmland you lease.

LL