'Dirt first' farmers have been fighting with supporters of soil-less agriculture over the ‘organics’ label. Climate and sustainability are central to the debate. (Georgina Gusten insideclimatenews.org Nov 2017) https://t.co/OROPuNYjdH Why is climate central to the the "organic" label debate? Apples & oranges! Promoting dirt farming to sequester carbon is like promoting freeways to prevent erosion. Absurd. Farming (tilling) land is not necessary to sequester carbon. Plants, on their own, can only sequester so much carbon. And then they rot (or burn) and return carbon to the atmosphere. By contrast, healthy soil (microbes and wee beasties metabolizing organic material beneath the surface) can sequester a huge volume of carbon underground compared to the volume of live plants on the surface. But an even better solution -- better than a healthy soil biome -- is biochar. Adding biochar to soil not only sequesters carbon but can dramatically enhance the soil microbiome at the same time. Forget about "dirt farming." Let's talk about improving soil around the world -- wetlands, forests, pastures, and parks -- to support more vegetation, more wildlife habitat, and tall old-growth forest. |
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According to their website, Metrolina Greenhouses employs 725 people year round, and an additional 600 people in the spring and fall peak seasons. That's a lot of jobs! But even more impressive is their employee productivity, which is boosted by automation. Metrolina Greenhouses claims to be one of the most automated greenhouses in the United States.
The photo above shows racks-and-racks of plants and rows-and-rows of ferns hanging from the high ceiling of the greenhouse. Even with 160+ acres of greenhouse space, they make use of the vertical space. How do production levels of this sort of "mega greenhouse" compare with "traditional" outdoor farms of equivalent size? (Where is the data?) The Floral Reef Project supports the protection of habitat for bees, butterflies, and other key pollinators. Green walls and outdoor vertical gardens represent a tremendous opportunity to increase greenscape while controlling water usage and drainage. Photo: East Los Angeles Library (Los Angeles, CA) Greenscreen.com Urbanvine.co was created in June of 2016 to help urban dwellers learn how to start urban farming without any previous experience. Check it out this great resource: http://www.urbanvine.co
City Fresh Farming believes in pesticide free, sustainable, smart farming using vertical hydroponic farming techniques in temperature controlled environments with state of the art harvest monitoring. Their enclosed climate controlled farming environments give them the ability to grow leafy green produce and fresh market herbs 365 days a year. See the website for current info.
908 W Foothill Blvd Unit A Monrovia, CA 91016 www.cityfreshfarming.com Source: LocalHarvest, updated Dec 2016 For over three decades, four generations of the Beylik family have grown produce on their farm near Fillmore. They sell their hydroponically grown tomatoes, cucumbers, and an assortment of other vegetables at certified farmers' markets from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. See the website for current info. #closeup
890 Oaks Ave Fillmore, CA 93015 http://www.beylikfarms.com (Source: LocalHarvest May 2016) LocalHarvest connects people looking for good food with the farmers who produce it.
Buying local is about enjoying real food, grown yourself or purchased from people you trust. It's about developing strong local economies and producing food on a human scale. It's about eating seasonally, practicing the art of cooking, and sitting down to enjoy meals together. It requires ample local and regional producers, processors, and distributors. Local Harvest considers the goal of the local food movement to be creating thriving community-based food systems that will make high quality local food available to everyone. To that end, LocalHarvest promotes Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and makes millions of introductions a year. Read what LocalHarvest members say about them. Find farms, CSAs, and farmers markets near you. Here is a link to LocalHarvest event listings, CSAs, members, and other farming resources near Simi Valley, California. #CSA #organization #directory #localfood
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Robert MarstonI'm a gardening enthusiast and a would-be farmer living in the suburbs north of Los Angeles, California, Ventura County, with my wife and son. I would like to meet vertical farming enthusiasts and bloggers around the world, particularly in Southern California. ArchivesCategories |