Farming on the Wild Side (Conservation)
Learning Objectives
The learner will:
- Learn about different approaches to ecological farming, and give examples
- Understand ecological processes underlying ecological farming approaches
- Understand attributes of natural systems farming, agroforestry systems, and wild farming approaches
Ecological Farming Systems
- Farming In Nature's Image: Natural Systems Farming
- Home Gardens / Forest Gardens
- Land Institute & Perennial Polyculture
- Rotational / Mixed Species Grazing Systems (Savory & others)
- Agroforestry / Silvopastoralism / Agrosilvopastoralism
- Agroforestry: growing herbaceous crops and tree crops together
- Silvopastoralism: raising livestock and tree crops together
- Agrosilvopastoralism: livestock, crops and trees
- Agroforestry System Attributes
- Deep nutrient Cycling
- Enhanced wildlife / livestock habitat
- Increased biotic Diversity
- Increased crop diversity
- Examples:
- Windbreaks / hedgerows
- Live fences
- Alley cropping
- Field / Pasture Trees (Acacia albida, Oregon white oak)
- Taungya
- Forest Gardens
- Wild Farming: Biodiversity on Farms and Ranches
- Importance of Biodiversity
- Wild Farming Practices
- Water Conservation
- Soil Conservation
- Soil Fertility Management
- Livestock Management
- Biodiversity: Incorporating Natural Areas on the Farm Practices
- Riparian Areas
- Woodlands
- Hedgerows
- Beetle Banks
- Field Margins
- Biodiversity Within Farmed Areas
- Cover Crops
- Intercropping
- Strip Cropping
- Insectaries & Pest Strips
- Low or no till
- Alternate Mowing
Ecological Processes in Healthy Agroecosystems
- Nutrient Cycling (deeper, balanced cycles)
- Hydrology (enhanced infiltration, soil moisture storage)
- Energetics (enhanced capture of solar and water inputs)
- Soil Conservation and Building
- Predator – Prey Relationships (beneficial insects, birds, mammals for pest control)
- Disturbance (herbivory)
Assessment/Review
- How would you mimic a prairie in an agroecosystem? A savannah? A forest?
- Describe the ecological processes functioning in an agroforestry system.
- Why is biodiversity important on a farm?
- Describe wildlife-friendly elements in a farming system.
References
Farming With the Wild: Enhancing Biodiversity on Farms and Ranches
Imhoff, Daniel. 2003.
Sierra Club Books, San Franciso, CA. 182 pp.
The Farm as Natural Habitat: Reconnecting Food Systems with Ecosystems
Jackson, Dana, and Laura Jackson. 2002.
Island Press, Washington, D.C. 295 pp.
Farming In Nature's Image: An Ecological Approach to Agriculture
Soule, J., and J. Piper. 1993.
Island Press, Washington, D.C. 305 pp.
Wild Farm Alliance:
www.wildfarmalliance.org
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