08.16.2011
We began our new career as farmers with the goal of living sustainably: strengthen our soil, grow food year-round, compost and recycle, reduce our reliance on fossil fuel, create habitat for creatures other than ourselves.
A three-day training in Willits, California with master grower John Jeavons gave us a substantial start. Jeavons is the author of How to Grow More Vegetables: And Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains and Other Crops Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine. He is the founder of Ecology Action and an online catalog for seeds and equipment, Bountiful Gardens.
Our training began with the screening of a video by the World Population Council of the exponential growth of human population on the earth, set in the context of the history of the planet. Stunning.
Then we set about figuring how many resources it takes to sustain an individual person, and moved forward to consider the concept of Fairness.
The point being, we left our three-days determined to build soil and grow what we need for ourselves. We came away with these intentions:
• Leave 50% of your land as wild habitat for other animals.
• 60% of the crops you grow should be for compost.
• 10% of the crops you grow should be for income (keep 90%)
• Build soil and your food will thrive.
• Live smaller and better.