Organic Agriculture Can’t Feed the World... What?

The following text (greatly Para-phrased) is from an interview with Will Harris III, by Diego Footer.  Diago has a podcast called Permaculture Voices.  This interview is from podcast episode 28: Industrial Farmer to Beyond Organic Icon, Will Harris III of White Oak Pastures.

Some people say “Organic farming methods will never be able to feed the world’s growing population.”

I say…

That is an interesting statement, and I would like to discuss it with you.  But before we have that discussion, I would like to stipulate and agree to the fact that neither “organic” farming systems, nor “conventional” farming systems will feed the world if the population grows indefinitely, forever.  Certainly, the world has a maximum carrying capacity.  Most people will agree to that point.

So then, I’ll concede to you right now, that conventional farming systems (e.g. centralized, commoditized, industrialized, mono-culture) can produce more food per acre, if land is the limiting factor.  But, if fossil fuel becomes the limiting factor, then organic farming systems win – because organic farming systems easily produce more food per acre with much less fossil fuel usage.  And if water becomes the limiting factor, then organic wins – because organic farming systems easily produce more food per acre with less water than conventional farming systems can.  And if antibiotic resistant pathogens become the limiting factor, then organic wins again – because organic farming systems rely much less on antibiotics than conventional farming systems do.  And if pollution becomes the limiting factor, then organic wins yet again – because organic systems pollute much less than conventional systems.  And if environmental disasters (such as the dead-zone in the Gulf of Mexico) become the limiting factor, then organic wins again.  And this can go on and on.

It is not as simple as coming to a conclusion based on current conditions alone.  There are many factors involved, which may change in the future.  Organic farming systems have more chances to win.

With that concept in mind, I started thinking about how conventional farming systems currently work, the dependencies involved, and just how fragile a system it really is.  The quantity and complexities of these dependencies is vast.

The following list (rather dis-organized) is intended as fodder – just to get you thinking about what could happen.  If something would change with any one of these items, or with multiple items, it could have a huge impact upon conventional farming systems.

• Fossil fuel
• Current and future fossil fuel reserves
• consider the concept of “peak oil”
• Politics and wars with foreign countries where fossil fuels exist
• think about all the wars fought in the middle-east over oil
• The ability to safely extract fossil fuels
• remember the recent BP oil well disaster in the Gulf of Mexico
• consider “fracking” methods
• The ability to safely transport fossil fuels
• remember the Exxon Valdez oil spill
• think about the current Keystone XL pipeline controversy
• Government
• USDA, FDA, & EPA influences and regulations
• GMO labeling
• International Trade (free trade, tariffs, sanctions, Trans-Pacific Partnership, etc.)
• Food Freedom (think Raw Milk)
• Economy
• think great depression
• think recession of 2008
• think “housing crisis”, “banking crisis”, “energy crisis”
• Politics
• think Farm Bill
• think “do nothing congress”
• Technology
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
• Antibiotics
• Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.
• Green Energy (e.g. solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, etc.)
• High-Tech products
• think tractors and combines that depend upon computers and GPS
• think chip implants into livestock
• Industries
• Oil/Energy
• AG Equipment (tractors, implements, etc.)
• Transportation/shipping (trucking, rail, air, sea, etc.)
• think about the current rail car shortage impacting corn producers
• Groceries/retail
• Stock Markets/Investments
• Banking
• Labor Unions
• Health Issues (possibly linked to chemical use by conventional farming methods)
• Diseases (e.g. cancer, diabetes, autism, obesity, etc.)
• Early puberty issues
• Environment
• Natural/normal weather patterns (storms, drought, fires, etc.)
• remember the October 4, 2013 blizzard in SD
• think about the droughts in TX, CA, etc.
• remember “Super Storm Sandy”
• Global warming
• think about changing growing seasons and zones (e.g. frost-safe dates, first-frost dates, min/max/avg temperatures, moisture rates, wind velocity, etc.)
• think about loss of farm land to flooding, population relocation, etc.
• Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder crisis
• Water (quantity, quality, etc.)
• remember West Virginia chemical spill
• remember Toledo water crisis
• think PowerTech Uranium Mining proposal
• Pollution
• Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone
• Toxic waste from North Dakota Oil Fields

I’m certain you could add many more items to this list.  Thinking about what could change with any one item in the list, the probability of change, and how a change could impact the food on your table (via conventional AG systems), is scary enough.  Then think about a combination of changes in multiple areas.  Mind blowing!

For example, suppose someday IF someone proved that autism is caused by Roundup Ready BT corn.  Wow!  That would change the entire conventional farming system from top to bottom!  Or imagine if the Ogallala aquifer became contaminated or experienced decreased production due to extended drought (like in TX or CA).  Wow!  That would change conventional farming greatly as well. 

And yes, these potential changes could also impact organic farming.  But in all likelihood, to a much lesser extent – especially if “organic” is combined with “local”.  That is the way we put food on the table for ten thousand years, up until "conventional" farming methods developed within the last 100 years or so.  And that is my point.

Do you still want to bet on conventional farming as the best way to feed the world’s growing population?

Rick Grosek

Bear Butte Gardens

www.BearButteGardens.com

Rick@BearButteGardens.com

Upcoming Projects – Help Wanted!

Upcoming Projects – Help Wanted!

We have had a very busy winter at Bear Butte Gardens planning new projects for 2014!  I don’t know how we will accomplish every project that we have on the list.  So, I thought I would share the list and ask for a little help!   I’m hoping for a little give-and-take collaboration.

• What I have to gain:  Getting some projects done.
• What I have to give:  Experience and education about how to complete specific tasks.
• What you have to gain:  Experience and education.
• What you have to give:  Labor.

The project list below includes a brief description of each project and some indication of when I hope to work on the project.  If you see something that interests you, please feel free to contact me.  We can discuss it.  If you are interested in learning how to do the task, maybe we can identify a schedule that works for both of us.  You can help me get the work done while learning something new.  I see this kinda like an internship program, but with fewer strings attached.

Project List:

1. Build Fence – both barb wire fence and woven wire fence
   
   
   We have a variety of fencing projects – from small to large.  Tasks will include building “H” braces, installing “T” posts, installing barb wire, installing woven wire, installing electric wire, and building gates.  I plan to work on these projects whenever I have the time and resources, from now until the ground freezes in the fall.
   
   
2. Build Chicken Tractors
   
   Last year I built one “Joel Salatin style” chicken tractor.  This year I plan to build two more – one will be for chickens, one for turkeys (12 inches taller than the chicken tractor).  These tractors will house our “meat” birds.  This is an early spring project (April/May).
   
   
   Link:  Bear Butte Gardens - Building a Chicken Tractor
   
   
3. Add onto our Existing Chicken Coop
   
   
   Last year I built a chicken coop.  The primary use of this coop is to house our laying hens during winter months.  Last fall, I didn’t get a chance to add-on the outdoor, fenced-in, chicken “run”.  The October blizzard kinda impacted my schedule a bit.  Last October I setup a dog kennel for the chickens to use as a temporary outdoor run.  This year I plan to complete that project.  This is a late spring project (May).
   
   Link:  Bear Butte Gardens - Building a Chicken Coop
   
   
4. Build a New Turkey Coop
   
   
   We are expanding our organic turkey operation into a year-round endeavor, with hopes of breeding and hatching our own turkey poults.  We plan to house our adult, breeding turkeys in a new coop.  This structure will probably be similar in design to the chicken coop I built last year, but taller.  I plan to build a new turkey coop and outdoor run late spring (May).
   
   
5. Build a Portable Chicken Coop (Eggmobile)
   This year we plan to put our egg laying hens out on pasture for the summer.  In order to protect these hens from predators and weather, I plan to convert an old Dodge ranch truck into a portable “Joel Salatin style” eggmobile.  I plan to replace the truck box with a wooden coop structure.  Our eggmobile won’t be as large as Joel’s, but will server a similar purpose.  I plan to work on this project thru the early summer (May-July) as time and resources allow.
   
   Link:  Joel Salatin's Eggmobile
6. Build a Vegetable Cleaning Facility
   
   In order to improve the efficiency of washing vegetables for our CSA shares, we plan to expand one of our greenhouse to include a new room.  This room will be used to wash and weigh vegetables.  I’m planning this project for early summer (June-July).
7. Install Electricity to one of our Greenhouses
   
   
   Our permanent-structure greenhouse #1 gets too hot!  So, we want to install an under-ground electrical cable to this greenhouse and install a couple ventilation fans.  This will be a late summer project (September-October).
   
   
8. Move a Garden/Tool Shed
   
   
   This small project will involve moving a small garden/tool shed from one place to another.  I don’t really have a target time to complete this project.  I just want it done sometime this summer.
   
   
9. Build an Underground Root Cellar
   
   
   Michelle is hoping to have a root cellar to store root-crop vegetables this fall.  This will be a late summer project (September).
   
   
10. Build/install a Roadside Sign for “Bear Butte Gardens”
    
    
    We have already arranged for two large 8x8 signs to be painted.  This project will involve installing the posts and framing to mount the signs at the end of the driveway.  This will be a late spring project (May).
    
    
11. Build several Permaculture Swales and Ponds
    
    
    This is actually a huge project that I plan to work on for the next decade.  I’ve been researching, studying, and learning as much as I can about key-line water management processes for over two years now.  This project will be based on information from Bill Mollison, Geoff Lawton, and Mark Shepard.  I plan to work on this project whenever I get the opportunity.  For more information, Google “permaculture swale”.
    
    
12. Collect Rocks for a New Rock Wall
    
    
    A wonderful friend of ours is building a rock wall for us!  The wall is intended to block the wind and help protect our high-tunnel greenhouse.  We have been gathering rocks from a site a few miles away, but we need several more loads.  It is hard work, but it saves in gym membership fees!  We get a load of rocks whenever we have the resources and time.

Note:  Bear Butte Gardens is USDA Organic Certified.  This means that we cannot use any treated wood for any structures which might come into contact with either vegetables or livestock.  This rule requires us to utilize other building materials (e.g. cedar, metal, concrete, rock, etc.) that are approved for organic certified facilities.

So, if you have the time, energy, want to learn about an organic certified gardening/farming operation, and are willing to give us a helping hand, please feel free to contact me!

Thank you!

Rick Grosek

Bear Butte Gardens
Sturgis, South Dakota
www.BearButteGardens.com
Rick@BearButteGardens.com

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

MOSES Organic Farming Conference - part 2

This is my second 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 posting I would like to share my schedule of events and sessions that I attended.  I do this with the perspective that some followers of this BLOG may be curious about what this conference is all about, and may be interested in attending in the future -- which I would highly recommend!

Day 1 - The Drive
La Cross, Wisconsin in a 663 mile drive from Strugis.  Michelle and I drove my Honda Civic for about eleven hours along I-90 to arrive in La Crosse just after dark.  After checking-in at the hotel, we headed downtown.  We discovered a nice sushi restaurant named Sushi Pirate.  The service and the food was great, but the really interesting part was our conversation with the waiter.  He was a friendly Chinese immigrant, probably in his late twenties.  In being polite, he asked us why we were in town.  We mentioned the MOSES Organic Farming Conference and he lit up!  He said that it is his dream to be a Farmer!  He wants to someday own his own small farm and grow Dragon Fruit.  He came back to our table several times and each time had a few more questions about being a farmer.  What a nice guy.

Day 2 - Registration and Conference Opening
During the AM, we took a drive about town.  We had breakfast at a small local restaurant named "Rosie's", stopped in at a couple of music stores, an outdoors outfitter type store, and had lunch at "Cony Dog Island".  For you music enthusiasts, "Dave's Guitar Shop" is INCREDIBLE! Here is the URL: davesguitar.com.

After lunch we went to the convention center and checked-in at the conference (which took about two minutes).  We then watched a film titled Queen of the Sun about bees.  It was good.  Here is the URL: www.queenofthesun.com.  After that we briefly checked-out the Exhibit Hall, which was packed with vendors in a room similar in size to the main concert arena at the Rapid City Civic Center.  The main event of the day was the conference opening keynote and "Farmer of the Year" presentation.  This year's recipient is Charlie Johnson of Madison, SD. Who knew it would be a guy from SD?  We ended the evening by attending a Poetry Slam -- with farmer poets!  Nice!

Day 3 - Sessions
This day started with continental breakfast at the conference.  At breakfast, we met Atina Diffley.  During conversation, we discovered that Atina is the author of the book "Turn Here Sweet Corn" (which we purchased and she signed), a session presenter, and a keynote speaker.  Here is a URL with more info about Atina: atinadiffley.com.

The educational sessions were the main events for this day, and the next.  My 1st session was "Weed Control Equipment for the Vegetable Farmer".  This session mainly covered physical/mechanical cultivation tools -- everything from hand hoes to recommendations on good deals for old tractors and cultivation equipment.  Now I want to go buy an old Allis Chalmers G and convert it into a solar powered, electric drive tractor!  :o)

The keynote speech this day was titled "What We Learned Making GMO OMG".  I spoke of this keynote in my previous BLOG post.  This looks like a great film!  The URL is: www.gmofilm.com.

This day offered an organic lunch at the conference.  Yum, yum.  At lunch we met Frank James and his wife.  Frank is the Staff Director at Dakota Rural Action.  Great conversation!  Here is the URL for DRA: dakotarural.org. After lunch we hit the conference book store, which had hundreds of titles covering all aspects of organic vegetables, livestock, poultry, water/land management, recipes, AG politics, AG philosophy, health, and more.

My 2nd session was "Restoration Agriculture - An Introduction to Farm-Scale Permaculture", presented by Mark Sheppard.  This was my favorite session of all!  I came out of this session with all kinds of new ideas that I want to try at Bear Butte Gardens!  Mark got a roar of applause from the audience several times during the session, and a standing ovation at the end of the session.  Wow.  Just, wow.

My 3rd session was "Composting Organically for Small to Mid-sized Farms".  This again was a very good session.  I took pages and pages of notes.  After that, we hit the exhibit hall again.

For our evening meal, Michelle and I left the convention center and found a very nice restaurant named "Piggies".  The food was fabulous!  And, they had a great four-piece blues band.  Later in the evening, we went to the "New Young Farmers' Shindig" social event in downtown La Crosse.  Here we got another opportunity to chat with Frank James, his wife, and some of his staff from Dakota Rural Action.  Fun! Fun! Fun!

Day 4 - More Sessions
Again we had an organic breakfast and lunch at the conference.  My 1st session on this day was "Time and Labor Saving Equipment for the Vegetable Farmer".  This session was full of ideas for building and using small devices, carts, tools, tractor implements, and many ideas about working safely and efficiently.  At the conclusion of this session, I decided I need to get a welder and learn how to weld.  Anyone know of any good deals on a used welder?

At lunch, Michelle and I had so much to talk to each other about, we could hardly contain ourselves!  After lunch, we attended a short panel discussion about Farm-to-School food programs, policies, news, methods, and success stories.  We also hit the exhibit hall again.

My 2nd session this day was "Farming's New Future: Thriving in the Face of climate Change".  This session was hosted by a panel of national experts in the field of weather and climate change.  Very, very interesting... and enlightening... and a bit scary!

My 3rd session of the day was "Living with Parasites: Building Healthy Ruminant Livestock".  We don't have our own cattle at Bear Butte Gardens yet, but I learned a lot about how to build an entire livestock system that is organic.  In Sturgis, a fella can get a lot of advise about livestock -- but little of it pertains to organic livestock.  This session covered everything from grazing, feeding, watering, fencing, breeding, weening, common ailments, and how to doctor a sick organic cow.  Very good info for someday soon.

After that session, we had our evening meal at the Health Food Coop Store in La Crosse.  Good stuff!

Then we headed back home to Sturgis.

Conclusion
The conference was very well organized.  It was easy to find your way around -- lots of signs and maps.  Parking was easy enough - and we never had to pay for parking.  The overall mood was light, cheerful, and friendly.  All of the session presenters were very good.  There were many sessions to choose from.  The schedule flowed nicely.  And, the conference food was great!

One more thing that impressed me about this conference was the number of "young" people in attendance.  I recently heard that the average age of the the American farmer is 55.  There are many challenges in the AG industry to get new, younger people interested in farming.  It is very difficult to "break-into" this business -- high cost of purchasing land, high cost of equipment, high inheritance tax, lack of a "sexy" image, and all the hard work, just to mention a few.  This conference showed me another side of the issue -- a lot of young people (twenty-somethings) who are interested!  Many of these challenges are being addressed and are changing for the better.  This is GREAT!

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this entire conference!  I highly recommend it!

Rick Grosek
Bear Butte Gardens
Sturgis, SD
www.bearbuttegardens.com
Rick@BearButteGardens.com