Sustainable Farming Practices In Western North Carolina
In simplest terms, sustainable agriculture is the production of food, fiber, or other plant or animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare.
To sustain – to keep in existence, maintain, continue, or prolong. To supply with necessities or nourishment. To provide for.
As it pertains to agriculture, sustainable describes farming systems that are “capable of maintaining their productivity and usefulness to society indefinitely”.
The Seven Generation Principle: Great Law of the Iroquois – which holds appropriate to think seven generations ahead.
Growing a garden
is an act of Love; both for yourself and the earth.
Be Courageous!
Being outside helps you connect with nature.
You feel less stress when you are outside!
Your garden will tell you what it needs.
Pay attention to what it is telling you.
Experiment!!
Your Health starts with Healthy Soil.
This may take time to build up.
Compost Everything!
Everything that goes into your garden
Needs to come from as clean sources as possible.
Feed your critters not your plants!
(Avoid Chemical Fertilizers whenever possible).
Organic matter is the key to healthy
Soil!
Compost Happens!
(Anywhere! It doesn’t have to be hard work!)
Raised beds make sense!
-Easier to work
-Better drainage
-Warm up sooner
-You can work them most any time
-Deeper soil lets you plant closer together
-Less erosion
Let the Earthworms
Do your
Digging!
(Protect your soil structure)
Avoid herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and all other chemicals.
(They aren’t good for you or the soil).
Desertification:
the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.
Leave the roots in the ground
When you weed.
(They build organic matter in your soil).
Spend quality time with your garden
Every day!
We live in the Garden of Eden!
So lets
take care of it!
Motivation
Comes from Doing not Thinking.
So get your feet moving!
The Precautionary
Principle:
the principle that the introduction of a new product or process whose ultimate effects are disputed or unknown should be resisted. It has mainly been used to prohibit the importation of genetically modified organisms and food.
GMO’s?
Genetically Modified Organisms.
(Genetically Engineered)
Are they safe?
Round-up Ready
Soybeans, Corn, etc.
(Glyphosate)
Binds up an atom of manganese!
Kills plants and bacteria!
WHO?
(The World Health Organization)
-Scientists throughout the world reviewed research and concluded Glyphosate is a probable carcinogen. (And much more)
Can you avoid Gyphosate by eating NON-GMO?
Gyphosate is used to desiccate (kill and dry) many seed and grain crops before harvesting.
(So it is in everything you eat!)
That isn’t Labled Organic!!!
EWG:
Environmental
Working Group
The Dirty Dozen!