From Earth We Are One

In a surprising turnaround for sustainability practices, farmers transitioning to organic farming can get a three year financial boost from the U.S. government. 

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Two Midwestern states in the U.S. are offering farmers three years of support to move to organic crop production.

Farmers in North Dakota and Minnesota who decide to ditch GMOs, toxic pesticides and herbicides can apply for the grants.

North Dakota and Minnesota have both started grant programs. Minnesota led the way in 2013 and North Dakota began its program this year.

The grants, ranging from $750 to $1000, help farmers to transition to organic crops. The money can be used for everything from soil testing to education on how to grow food in a sustainable way.

But unfortunately, this is only a smoke and mirror project.  It really isn’t designed to support change.  Mostly it’s purpose is like a beta run of a new idea.

Both state programs have limited money — $20,000 annually in Minnesota and $5,000 per year in North Dakota. Minnesota’s program provided funding to only 10 farmers in it’s first two years.

What is really at the heart of america’s organic farming practice?

One of the problems with returning to natural organic practices is converting the soil back into it’s organic state … capable of sustaining plant growth.

Lowell Kaul, an organic farmer near Harvey, North Dakota, who serves on a board that advises the state agriculture commissioner, explains:

“. . . there’s a learning curve there that the farmer needs to go through.”

This process can take 5 years.  The soil will need to have no chemicals used on the land for 3 years to qualify.  But because the soil has been damaged by the chemicals and no longer contains the proper organic material needed to grow food, it will need to be conditioned for about 5 years.

Farmers In India Are Leading The Way

A process of reconditioning the soil after using monsanto chemicals, called Amrut Jal, has been widely used in India. It’s messy… but it certainly works very well!

Hundreds of thousands of farmers were committing suicide because of crop failures due to monsanto business practices which included contractual seed purchases, required chemical and pesticide purchases, all which lead to a slippery slope of increased debt to income.

How To Quickly Restore Farm Soil, A Lesson From Our Elders

Once the outcry was met with realization, many rural farmers of India ended their monsanto contracts and reverted to their former farming practices. But because of the damage done to the soil by monsanto chemicals, the farmer’s yield was very poor.

Word passed quickly from the elders to start using the historical practice of Amrut Jal,…mixing cow maneur with urine and fermeted fruit to recondition the soil.  This practice quickly reconditions the soil and helps remove the toxic chemicals.

Hopefully, farmers in the U.S. and abroad will recognize the value of symbiotic relationships that work and were established by our agrarian ancestors.

There is a global need growing for our farmers to use natural practices and for each of us to learn to grow our own food whenever possible.

 

source – BigStory.ap.org, naturalsociety.com
cover photo – natural society.com