MOSES Organic Farming Conference - part 3

This is my third BLOG posting about the MOSES Organic Farming Conference that Michelle and I attended last week in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  MOSES stands for Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service.  Here is the URL to their main website: www.mosesorganic.org.

In this post, I would like to talk about my favorite session "Restoration Agriculture - An Introduction to Farm-Scale Permaculture".  But first, allow me to build up to it...

As with any business, one of the goals is to make money.  I hope to someday be able to leave my current day job and be able to make a living off the land as an entrepreneur farmer.  Bear Butte Gardens is just two years old.  We are not there yet.  But, I think we are on the path to get there someday reasonably soon.  Another even more important goal for me, is to be a good steward of the earth.  This is a classic example of Wendell Berry's concept of exploiter -vs- nurturer that I explored in an earlier post.  This is a balancing act that is often times much more difficult than one might think.  In my opinion, many (most) people in this world do not find this balance -- and the world is not a better place because of it.

This, I propose, is a three-step process to find your balance:

• Step one is to understand the concept of exploiter -vs- nurturer. 
• Step two is to understand who you are and how you want to live your life
  (in regards to the exploiter -vs- nurturer concept). 
• Step three is to make decisions that will get you where you want to be
  (in regards to the exploiter -vs- nurturer concept). 

For me, much of my upbringing, education, business experience, and exposure to modern society has pushed me toward the exploiter mindset.  However, I want to be more of a nurturer.  I want to be a good steward of the earth.  I want to leave my little corner of the world a better place than I found it.  I want to contribute to society in a positive manner.  I want to give these gifts to future generations.  I need to make a living and provide for my family.  So, how do I do make a living off the land, without degrading it?  Then in comes the term "Restoration Agriculture"!

Mark Shepard presented the session "Restoration Agriculture - An Introduction to Farm-Scale Permaculture" at the MOSES conference.  He is also the author of a book titled "Restoration Agriculture".  I was fortunate enough to attend the session, buy his book, and have him sign the book.  Michelle and I also got an opportunity to visit with Mark.  He teaches a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) at his farm in Wisconsin.  Mark explained to us that his PDC has a unique perspective that includes his concept of Restoration Agriculture, differentiating it from other PDCs.  His PDC is focused more on larger scale applications, rather than backyard gardens and small acreage homesteading.

So what is "Restoration Agriculture"?  In an attempt to relay the definition, I'll quote some phrases from the Restoration Agriculture Institute website:

Agriculture and nature are generally seen in opposition to one another. Agriculture converts natural ecosystems to fields dedicated solely for the efficient production of crops or livestock for human consumption. Conservation seeks to preserve natural ecosystems from agricultural or urban development.  Restoration rebuilds ecosystems broken by agriculture, mining, or other human development activities.

Restoration Agriculture is the intentional restoration of healthy, functional ecosystems as the context for economically-viable farm operations. Perennial crops, livestock, fungus, and pollinators are integrated to produce abundant food, fiber, and fuel and simultaneously restore critical ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water purification and infiltration, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity. 

Restoration Agriculture combines agricultural production and ecological restoration with the purpose of growing abundant and nutritious food while simultaneously restoring healthy ecosystems. Restoration Agriculture seeks to mimic the structure and function of natural ecosystems. Instead of monocultures of annual crops requiring annual tilling and planting, Restoration Agriculture utilizes polycultures of perennial plants resembling native ecosystems. They are therefore self-reliant in terms of water, fertility, and fuel. As opposed to conventional agriculture, Restoration Agriculture actually builds soils, sequesters atmospheric carbon, recharges groundwater reserves, and fosters biodiversity. These ecological benefits are a direct result of management for the production of abundant, nutritious, and valuable crops.

Here are some URLs to websites with more information about Mark, Restoration Agriculture, and his book:

• restorationag.org
• www.forestag.com
• www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb_t-sVVzF0
• www.permies.com/t/20601/books/Restoration-Agriculture-Mark-Shepard

So far, my knowledge on this topic is limited to the session I attended, a podcast I listened to, our discussion with Mark, and some Internet research -- I have not yet read his book.  So why am I so exited about Restoration Agriculture?  Let me try to explain with a comparison between the process of agriculture to the process of carpentry.  Imagine a situation where three people are given a toolbox full of tools, and some basic instruction about how to use each tool.  Now they are expected to be carpenters.  They each have two goals: 1) to build a home, and 2) do not deplete the world around you.  What do they do?  The 1st carpenter cuts down most of the trees in the forest and builds a huge mansion.  He only achieves one goal (he must be from Monsanto).  The 2nd carpenter cuts down a few trees, builds a modest cabin, and then replants more trees.  This guy is a natural carpenter.  He achieves both goals.  The 3rd carpenter, even though he knows how to use the tools, he doesn't know how to actually design and build anything.  So he does nothing, or worse yet, he cuts down the entire forest and builds nothing.  This carpenter failed at both goals.  If that 3rd carpenter had a plan or blueprint showing how to build a house, he might do better.  Now imagine a farmer who has access to land, water, sunlight, seeds, and tools.  Restoration Agriculture is the blueprint.  Mark (and others) is the natural farmer who developed it.  It can help other farmers achieve both goals -- without starving, and without destroying the earth.  Balance.

Rick Grosek

Bear Butte Gardens

Sturgis, SD

http://www.bearbuttegardens.com/  

Rick@BearButteGardens.com