Basic agricultural practices

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Basic Agricultural Practices

Conventional Modern Systems• GMOs• Commodity Crops• Large scale animal productionOrganic, Farm to Table• Eating local• Sustainability• The Challenge

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The modern conventional system of agriculture

• Initiated after the Great Depression• Plans to provide food for troops overseas during

WWII• Construct a viable growing system in Americas Bread

Basket after the devastating effects of the dust bowl

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The Conventional Agricultural System• Utilizes mono crops for mass production of food• Allows for a mechanized system for all aspects of food production• Utilizes chemical fertilizers and pest controlGMOs• Genetically modified organisms• Plants are grown for specific characteristics• Controversial

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Large Animal Production• CAFO: confined animal feeding operation• Grain based diet

Practices• Growth hormones• Antibiotics

Cattle for meat productionDairy cattlePorkChicken

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THE CHANGING FACE OF AMERICA’S FOOD SUPPLY – Where Dinner Comes From

Farm to Table®

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Sustainable Agriculture A Year Round Endeavor

BiodynamicsUrban GardeningPermacultureHydroponics GreenhousesVermicultureComposting

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The Living Soil

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Planning a Winter Harvest

Endless Possibilities

Building a Life Changing Externship in Winter

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What Plants Need to Grow

NPK – basic nutrients all plants need• Nitrogen• Phosphorous• PotassiumMicro organisms• Break down nutrients in the soil so plants can absorb them

• Micro nutrients• Vitamins & minerals

Soil Attributes – different plants require different pH levels• Acidic soils• Alkaline soils

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Feeding the Soil

Compost: Decayed organic material used as a plant fertilizer• Utilizes the scraps from the garden• Utilizes scraps from food production• Provides much of the needed nutrients for new plantsManure• Provides additional nutrients• Helps with soil drainage• Prevents erosion• Adds bulk to soilOther natural fertilizers• Blood meal• Seaweed extracts

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Types of Organic Agriculture

Hugelkulture: large organic material is buried under a mound of dirt.• Slow release of nutrients as material decays• Retains water

Permaculture: Utilizing mainly sustainable growing techniques and methods• Adapting to year round growing techniques• Utilizing all materials to develop a sustainable garden

Biodynamic: A holistic understanding of the agricultural process• Controversial• Developed by Rudolph Steiner

Biointensive: Maximum yields using minimum space• Focuses on fertility of the soil• Long term goal of a sustainable closed system

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Knowing when crops are grown

Climate zones: specify what crops can be grown in a certain region.• Vegetable crops can be grown in

many climate zones however the growing season will determine planting criteria

• Micro climates within a region create additional growing possibilities

• Annuals: plants that must be started from seed or seedlings every season

• Perennials: plants that grow back after winter hybernation

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Extending the Growing Season: green houses and hoop houses allow for crop production year round

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The Challenge Innovative Agriculture Identify Winter ResourcesSustainable growing practices

Additional resources can be found at the bottom of the syllabus

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Additional resources can be found at the bottom of the syllabus page