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“…we have less than a year’s supply of food for the global population on hand at any one time.” This simple fact has critical implications for society.”said David Montgomery, a professor of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington.

This statement really got my attention.

Especially after hearing about what is happening, as of April, 2017 in Venezuela, where it is estimated that in the last 3 months the average citizen has lost 20 pounds because of food shortages.  Yikes!  These reports are very disturbing because they are happening in many places around the world.

This is another reason that we need a new agriculture revolution.

This is why the Farm-A-Yard Movement is critical for the times we are living in.

David Montgomery traveled to interview small farmers and found that those who restored their soil “used fewer inputs to produce higher yields, which translated into higher profits”… “No matter how one looks at it, we can be certain that agriculture will soon face another revolution … There are already enough people on the planet that we have less than a year’s supply of food for the global population on hand at any one time”…

Today we live in a “global world”, but there has never been a time more important than now to localize food systems around the earth.

We must begin to support farmers who adopt regenerative practices instead of only funding incentives for farmers that are degrading the soil!

David is confident that regenerative farming practices can prove both productive and economical.  Why? Because the farmers he met were already doing just that!

Farm-A-Yard, it’s a movement, have ya heard?

To read more: https://theconversation.com/healthy-soil-is-the-real-key-to-feeding-the-world-75364

 

Biodynamics farming is a growing movement. According to Demeter USA, the nonprofit certifier of biodynamic farms and consumer products, the total acreage for biodynamic farming in the US is increasing because this method, used around the world, works.

If you want to start a garden these days, the single most important and challenging aspect is the soil you grow in.

Our soils are so damaged and depleted of nutrients because commercial agriculture uses fertilizers that only give a few of the basic ingredients necessary to make the plant grow, resulting in minimal plant nutrition. The important point here is that the plants can’t have what the soil doesn’t have.

Over time the  evidence is showing up in the human population too.  After several generations we now see weakened immune systems, which are also due, in part, to exposure to toxic chemicals from current commercial agriculture practices.

Concerning the nutrient density of food, the University of Texas (UT) at Austin’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the December 2004  Journal of the American College of Nutrition,  studied the U.S. Department of Agriculture nutritional data from 1950 and 1999.

They found that 43 different vegetables and fruits showed declines in the amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin C over the past half century.

“Efforts to breed new varieties of crops that provide greater yield, pest resistance and climate adaptability have allowed crops to grow bigger and more rapidly,”said the study researcher, Donald Davis, “but their ability to manufacture or uptake nutrients has not kept pace with their rapid growth.” Magnesium, zinc and vitamins B-6 and E likely had similar declines but they were not studied in 1950.

This study is not alone.  There have been others with similar findings. Another study summarized that it would take 8 oranges today to equal the nutrition value of one orange 70-80 year ago.

We can’t afford for this trend to continue.

What can be done? The key to healthier produce is healthier soil.

Biodynamic agriculture is the original “organic” movement in this country before there was any organic certification.

What is biodynamic farming?  How is it different from organic farming? Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, introduced biodynamic principles in 1924.  The Biodynamic Association was established in 1938.  It is the oldest sustainable agriculture nonprofit organization in North America.

In simple terms the Biodynamic method is made up of preparations  and the activation of water and the energy in the environment.  The preparations are made from herbs, mineral substances and animal manures which are composted and fermented, much like a sourdough starter, or a kombucha culture. They are then prepared to apply as compost or compost teas which are stirred in water to activate and distribute in the field.

Does Biodynamic Agriculture work?  I have been farming using this method for over 21 years.  I can help you get started.

The Biodynamic methods can be applied effectively by urban, yard farmers and big farm alike.

BioEnergetic products are cost effective and available at:  http://farm-a-yard.com/compost-tea/

In May, 2016, Justin Rhodes, Dad to 4 youngsters and a North Carolina homesteader and vlogger,  created a 100 day challenge to grow all the food his family would eat.

“I wanted to do this for myself, but also to inspire and encourage other people, and show them that [living off the land is] easier than you think,” says Rhodes in a phone interview with Modern Farmer. “It’s just about getting up and doing this. Look what you can do in just 100 days. It doesn’t have to be this unattainable thing.”

The family has been homesteading on eight acres in Fletcher, North Carolina. He decided to spend only 10 hours a week producing the food because he wanted to prove that it’s doable to live off the land while also working a full-time job as well. (Rhodes also writes and produces videos for a living.) He clarified that he spent a little more time in the beginning preparing, and then less when seeds were in the ground and the chickens had grown.

They did this challenge on less than a half an acre. They planted tomatoes, potatoes, corn, squashes, and greens to name a few.  They had ordered 75 broiler chicks.  About 50 days into the challenge, the chicks were ready to process and some of the veggies were ready to enjoy.  By August 13, Rhodes estimated that 75% of the food they ate was what Justin grew or raised.

Even though the kids didn’t like everything “on the menu”, they were more inclined to enjoy eating the veggies when they had helped to grow and harvest them.

There were some challenges, of course, but Justin has the same philosophy that I do.  “Do what you can”.

When we were young raising our family, we didn’t have a lot of money, but we were really resourceful and I am so grateful for the experience.  I was just learning the “back to the land” skills and I  incorporated what I could in my urban setting as I went along. I always had plenty of seasonal produce canned for winter. The skills have served me well and I continue to learn more everyday.  I really enjoy being an urban micro farmer.

Though I never had a half acre “farm”, I lived the “from scratch” life in the city on a very small scale.

Justin’s 100 days investment in the garden really set them up for good eating for months after the challenge.

Are you ready to make an investment? Create your own challenge and post it below.

More about the 100 Day Challenge http://modernfarmer.com/2016/09/justin-rhodes-100-day-challenge/

For videos from the entire 100-day challenge, check out Rhodes’ YouTube channel.

Chickens are designed to do much more than just lay eggs. They are the cheapest hired help you could ask for.  They scratch, eat bugs, which keeps the pests under control and fertilize at a amazing rate if given the opportunity.  This activity also helps to keep your birds healthy.  Check out how this gardener utilizes their talent!  You won’t have to do the tilling in your garden after seeing this!

http://realfarmacy.com/raise-chickens-garden/