Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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we plant.” In Illinois, precipitation is usually abundant, but not this year;
Joel says that his winter wheat may not survive due to a lack of snow that
provides insulation. “It is kind of looking like mine might have winter killed
because there is no snow cover. Well, I can try some spring wheat, hard red
spring wheat. I'll try that.”
Organic farmers note that the specific climate conditions of their farms
are beneficial. Phil notes that parts of his land vary. “The easternmost ranch
can get really warm, whereas this ranch has a real influence from the Mon-
terrey Bay in keeping it quite a bit cooler, maybe as much as fifteen degrees
on a lot of days.”Weather is a key influence on farm decision making, and
organic farmers have an excellent knowledge about climate patterns on their
farms and in their region.
[161], (12)
Balance
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Conversations with organic farmers often touch on the topic of ecologi-
cal balance. In addition to this notion of balance, they also discuss what
constitutes an ecosystem and describe the importance of crop rotations in
maintaining soil fertility. They further note how pesticides disrupt agricul-
tural ecosystems.
Organic farmers see complex ecological relationships and realize that
these influence their crop production. Rob, in Florida, observes, “Well, if
you have a good organic program, it will withstand drought and it will
withstand extremes a little better than the conventional stuff.” Based on his
Illinois experience, Joel explains the very premise of soil balance, as opposed
to the conventional, chemical mentality: “I read in this chemical magazine
once, this professor said, 'Even one weed is toomuch.'He didn't say anything
about trying to get amineral balance in the soil, trying to increase themicro-
life that will make these seeds not want to germinate. Weeds are growing
there to correct a condition in the soil that we, as farmers, have screwed up.
When that condition is corrected, they won't grow there anymore. I have
seen that on my own farm here. They don't once address that problem.
They just say that one weed is too bad. They've missed the boat.” Phil notes
that on his California farm, “things that we find work on the ranch have to
do with more than just applying beneficial insects or having a hedgerow. It
has to do with the fertility of the soil, how we are building the soil. It has
to do with the native populations of beneficial insects. The research is that
ladybugs are not that good of a beneficial insect to release. We are having
some success doing that. Is it because we are doing something different? Is
it because we are not using any pesticides?”
[161], (12)
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