December 2018 Issue PDF

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Acres U.S.A., The Voice of Eco-Agriculture, December 2018 | Issue #570 Copyright 2018, Digital PDF, 35.8 MB, 124 pages FEATURES Gabe Brown on Ecosystem Stewardshipby Tracy FrischNo rth Dakota farmer Gabe Brown is perhaps best known for popularizing the concept of cover crop cocktails as a key strategy for jumpstarting soil health and nourishing soil biology, but that’s only one of his many contributions. Building the Microbial Bridgeby Leilani Zimmer Durand & Gary F. ZimmerAlthough soil is a huge bank of minerals, most of those minerals are not in a form the plant can use. Nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus and many trace elements are all either dependent on soil life to make them plant-available. Dreams of a Permanent Agricultureby Anneliese AbbottThis article is the first in a series focused on the history of organic agriculture in America and those who played a prominent role in shaping the movement. Growing Pride & Produceby Jill HendersonOn the BoysGrow farm, boys ranging in age from 14-16 years old acquire skills in agriculture, animal husbandry, construction, marketing, culinary arts, public speaking and business management. Ancient Wisdom for Modern Timesby Anne Biklé & David R. MontgomeryA complex and intimate dance of chemical communication between crops and particular soil-dwelling bacteria is the biological heart of this two-way invitation. An Agricultural Heritageby Wayne WengerdWayne Wengerd shares the history and inner workings of Green Field Farms and shares keys to co-op success. Sweet Meat at Sugar Mountain Farmby Tamara ScullyWalter Jeffries and his family have built their 1,000-acre, primarily wooded farm on pastured pig production. It remains an ongoing adventure as they seek to improve breeding and genetics, capture more market share and improve animal welfare. Plant Stress & Prolineby Larry Zibilske, Ph.D.In plant health, as in human health, there are signs, although they may not be obvious, that stress is present. The trick is in detecting and interpreting those signs – ideally, before they can be seen. Creamery Rises to the Topby Catt FoyFor organic farmers, Springfield Creamery ushered in an era of healthier eating, raised awareness of the importance of organic foods and contributed to the saving of family farms. From Fork to Farmby Tara MaxwellAn innovative start-up collects leftovers from area restaurants and other workplaces and delivers them to local farms, where insects turn food waste into nutritious animal feed. Hazelnut State Goes Organicby Aliya HallAlthough 99 percent of U.S. hazelnuts are grown in Oregon, less than 1 percent are organic, but there are growers and groups working to increase that number. Interview: Fred ProvenzaEndless TransformationResearcher and author Fred Provenza discusses animal and human nutrition as linked to ecological, economic and social systems. Departments View from the CountryMonthly musings from Acres U.S.A.’s publisher. Letters to the EditorReaders share their thoughts on past articles and words of encouragement. Opinion: Farming the Fruits of the SpiritFarmer, facilitator and writer Jonathan McRay condenses lessons that aren’t standards to achieve, but rather practices to form relationships, as related to regenerative agriculture including: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Eco-UpdateNews in brief from around the world on developments in eco-farming technology, organic food and farming, human health and vital environmental issues. Science on Your SideAcres U.S.A. highlights recent research and what it means for you. The Harvest Table: Native Pecan ProductionAlthough Missouri’s southern regions are conducive to pecan cultivation and were once home to a plethora of native pecan species, finding mature producing trees, much less groves of them, is uncommon these days. It may come as a bit of a surprise for many of the state’s residents to learn that mid-Missouri is home to one of the largest producers of organic native pecans in the United States. Stock & Flock: In Support of Local Farmers’ MarketsKelly Klober asserts that the farmers’ market is a good marketing system with great transparency and a very limited carbon footprint and he says direct marketing is going to steadily grow in importance to the smaller, family farms. Small-Scale Success: Borrowing is BetterA growing number of communities operate tool lending libraries to allow residents to borrow tools free of charge. Reviews & RecommendationsFrom in-depth book reviews to innovative websites and beyond, here’s what’s on our radar. Marketplace Classifieds Eco-MeetingsWe let you know when and where exciting eco-farming events are happening. Meet an Eco-FarmerGet to know fellow innovative farmers putting ecologically correct production principles to work, resulting in profitable, sustainable operations. 120 pages, 44.1 MB Show more