permaculture

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

Crop Services International
http://www.cropservicesintl.com/

CSI provides Lab Services, Consulting Services and Sales to growers both
small and large.

Our President, Philip A. Wheeler, Ph.D., Co-Author of The NON-TOXIC
FARMING HANDBOOK

CSI offers A Complete Farm Program Utilizing State-of-the-Art
Eco-Agriculture

Transitioning Conventional Growers  to Sustainable, Organic, Steiner
and/or Quantum AG on 4 Continents

Now Updated for 2012 Product Tech Sheets

Articles by Dr. Phil
http://www.cropservicesintl.com/ld_articles.php

Current Newsletter
http://www.cropservicesintl.com/ld_newsletters.php

Farming and Agriculture Links and Bibliography
http://www.cropservicesintl.com/ld_Our_Links.php

CSI LITERATURE PACK - Open and Print
CSI's Agricultural Perspective
CSI's Soil Testing Services
Soil Testing - Sample Soil Test (Nutrient Dense Norm Ranges) - Soil Test
Prices - CSI Soil Bag Tag
CSI's Product Offering & Tech Sheets
http://www.cropservicesintl.com/ld_litpak.php

Products & Pricing
http://www.cropservicesintl.com/ld_pricing_new.php

CSI SOIL TESTS
http://www.cropservicesintl.com/ld_SoilTests.php

http://www.cropservicesintl.com/ld_nutrient_dense.php
NUTRIENT DENSE
The goal of Nontoxic, Sustainable, Biological farming is to grow high
Brix, high nutrient crops. Brix is a refractometer reading indicating
the level of dissolved solids (mostly sugars and carbohydrates)
contained in the juice being measured. The higher the brix reading the
higher the sugars, mineral levels, specific gravity and true protein
levels. This adds up to a sweeter tasting, more minerally nutritious
food/feed with a lower nitrate and water content and better storage
characteristics (less rotting). High Brix crops will produce more animal
contentment and be more resistant to insects and diseases, resulting in
decreased insecticide usage. Crops with a higher sugar content/brix
reading will have a lower freezing point and be less prone to frost
damage. A bite of a 16 brix Bell pepper from a PA grower tasted sweet,
almost like eating an apple. A bite from a 4 Brix bell pepper tastes
somewhat bitter. Four brix string beans need sugar added to make them
taste good enough for kids to eat yet four to five Brix vegetables are
typical at your local supermarket.

http://www.cropservicesintl.com/ld_ntf.php
THE NON-TOXIC FARMING HANDBOOK
By Philip A Wheeler, Ph.D.
& Ronald B. Ward
In this readable, easy-to-understand handbook the authors successfully
integrate the diverse techniques and technologies of classic organic
farming, Albrecht-style soil fertility balancing, Reams-method soil and
plant testing and analysis, and other alternative technologies
applicable to commercial-scale agriculture. By understanding all the
available non-toxic tools and when they are effective, you will be able
to react to your specific situation and growing conditions. Covers
fertility, inputs, in-the-field testing, foliar feeding, refractometer,
tillage, livestock nutrition, weeds, insects, Moon cycles and subtle
energies, and more. The Non-Toxic Farming Handbook is the result of a
lifetime of eco-consulting.
Call 800-260-7933 to order  The Nontoxic Farming Handbook

http://www.cropservicesintl.com/ld_articles.php
Articles by Dr. Phil
Note: The following articles have been written over the past 5 - 10
years. Some of them may have been published by Acres USA or The Stockman
Grass Farmer.
Agriculture and Human Intentionality
Comments on Potassium Silicate
Cutting Farming Costs in Today's Economy
Cut to the Chase
Dealing with Soybean Rust and Aphids
Farmer to Farmer article on Fish Products
Garlic
How Do I begin a Conversion to Sustainable Agriculture?
Innovations in Composting
Making a Transition to Biological Agriculture
Never Mind Your P and K...
New Sound Around
Science & Philosophy in Organic Agriculture
Sustainable Methods for Dealing with Drought
The Basics of Human Health (Note: often a "human nutrition" section is
included in the newsletters.)
The Finishing Problem
The Worst Disease in the United States
Thinking of Going Organic?
Whose Right & Whose Wrong?

http://www.cropservicesintl.com/ld_organic.php
ORGANIC
Once considered a 60’s thing, demand for organically raised foods is
increasing yearly due to perceived concerns over the use of toxic
chemicals in conventional farming. Recently the federal government has
codified organic standards meaning that Organically Grown is becoming
big business. Still organic too often means what you can and can’t use
in terms of inputs.
Although dedicated organic growers may, in many cases, produce better
results than their conventional counterparts, it’s not necessarily a
forgone conclusion. What is the condition of their soil and soil
biology? We would prefer the label nutrient dense with backup test data
to describe high Brix, high nutrient, nutritious and good tasting
produce. After all, it’s not what you don’t use; it’s what you bring to
market! By balancing minerals and stimulating microbial life organic
growers see a reduction in their weed and insect pressures that
typically are challenges in conventional agriculture and can also be a
major problem in organic operations. The balance and stimulating is what
brings down the weed and insect pressures and  brings up the nutrient
density – the taste and nutrition consumers are looking for.
Because of the demand for such labels as Organic, and Grassfed many
growers are shifting their management practices. Other growers are
shifting because they are concerned about the effects of conventional
management practices and/or their costs.
CSI specializes in and can assist you in making a transition from
conventional to organic, nontoxic or any other management practice
contained on this site. Our technology and products can bring your
operation to the high quality results you are looking for.


In 1971, Dr Phil Wheeler started his own organic farming operation near
Vestaburg, MI while working for Michigan Tech University. <...> Phil is
co-author of The Non-Toxic Farming Handbook.

Crop Services Int’l (CSI) represents over 35 years of helping growers
accomplish their goals. The technology we promote is found in The
Nontoxic Farming Handbook and CSI newsletters. These provide those
interested in Non-Toxic/Biological/Sustainable or newly transiting from
a chemical approach, the basics of how to proceed and evaluate progress.
Once established, our growers usually spend less on inputs for better
yields and often get premium prices for their crops and animals.
<...>
CSI is a leader in technology, testing and providing natural inputs such
as mined phosphates, sulfate of potash, gypsum as well as fish, seaweed,
and a wide variety of biological and other products to increase soil,
plant and animal life. All these services help transitional,
sustainable, organic - all growers achieve their goals.
<...>
In 1984 Ronald Ward met Phil and, along with Richard Vaughan, formed
TransNational AGronomy, Ltd, a fertilizer and technology company that
operated for ten years. During that time Ron and Phil wrote The Nontoxic
Farming Handbook subsequently published by Acres USA. Recently Dr. Phil
has asked Ron to rejoin him in the operation of CSI.
<...>
Our (CSI’s) mission is to provide the most advanced soil testing,
technology and products to enable farmers and growers – of all sizes and
types – to improve the health of their soils, crops and animals. As
growers follow our guidance to mineralize, bio-activate and balance
their soils they will gradually see their crops become cleaner [less
toxic contamination] and more nutrient dense. Nutrient dense means that
crops more completely approach their genetic potential and maximize the
amount of minerals, phytonutrients, vitamins, omega 3 (and other) oils,
amino acids, enzymes, sugars etc. necessary for animal and human
nutrition. When livestock and humans are provided with clean, high
quality nutrition they are able to express their genetic potential to
the fullest. Full genetic potential for livestock means they will be
healthy, productive and content. Full genetic potential for humans means
they will be healthy, emotionally balanced, productive, happy, clearer
thinking-discerning individuals who live and function well in society.