I would like to start some conversations. Your feedback is encouraged, as it can help clarify issues for me. It would be especially be good to hear from those of you that are homesteading or will be, or farming or just gardening-- and have been in this area for a while.
Though I know a lot about Madison, Buncombe and surrounding areas of North Carolina, I am “new” to Mitchell, Avery and Yancey counties. I would like to spark some back and forth dialog between those of us in this general area.
I am an organic/regeneration consultant and educator. Currently I have sessions set up with Mayland Community College in Burnsville on soils, lasagna gardening, permaculture and planning ideas. You can email me at jimsmith1945@gmail.com for a current schedule. Many of the classes will be available on zoom. We’re beginning to plan the Winter and Spring classes.
So, here’s Conversation One
Would any of you like to offer classes? Contact me with your ideas. And what classes would you like to see offered that will help you? Who outside our area would you like to see offer sessions?
Conversation Two
With so many issues around local farming in this area, such as
a) the cost of fertilizers both chemical and organic,
b) the cost of sprays (chemical) and their consequences,
c) the need to protect water and
d) how to and can we create more sustainable, regeneration, organic systems,
how do we approach creating change?
It is somewhat delicate. The current challenge is how to talk change-- without appearing judgmental or getting someone defensive. Lately I have perpetually heard it said that it just isn't possible to grow enough food using regeneration methods. A good example for the argument against organic and regenerative farming is what happened in Sri Lanka. The government imposed organic methods on the whole island-- thinking it was good economics and healthy idea. Three years later the country was a mess, and the President left the country. There was no transition, which is in big part why I think it failed. My experience shows it can take at best two to three years if someone understands how to transition and if soil is really bad or has been farmed without soil in mind, or if done as a transition it might take longer. And if someone is not ready, or convinced they need to change....resistance. Now the ones that do not go for regeneration are saying, "See? Organic / regeneration does not work to feed the world."
Maybe?
The conversation here is how you think change can best occur? Teaching more classes? Setting up demonstrations on farms and finding farms willing to do small plots of “research” Creating a slow transition template? Tours?
Currently I am working with Tractor Food & Farm in Burnsville, NC to see if we can set up some research and visitation opportunities to see what can be done. (The idea seems useful since the site also can be used for home and small scale composting, maybe eventually bring in a large quantity of good compost for those doing large scale composting, and reselling small quantities, and that meets state and composting council standards. (Which means it will work too for organic certification.)
I also like seeing what can be done on a farm in terms of research/transition. This allows connections, opportunities to put ideas in practice and to see what works for each farmer. It takes away ,I think , from the expert and creates a wealth of knowledge a long time farmer may have (I have some knowledge to share, but as a lifelong learner, not an expert). I learn by asking a question, listening, giving ideas a place to fit or fill in. Collaboration. There is a lot of help and ideas already here.
Conversation Three: Businesses that Help Farmers
Can we work with them? We do not want them to feel like we are taking away their business. But how do we include them in a transition? These farms and related businesses are as much about local community as the churches. This is a tough dilemma, yet change is critical. For a good discussion on this issue I recommend Resilient Agriculture by Laura Lengnick. She taught soils at Warren Wilson College outside Asheville, and has now written a second edition.
Conversation Four
Most local farmers ship food out for processing, especially cows. How can we get more local meats? Grass feed, which might do away for some use of GMO seeds? There is some ongoing discussion with Mayland College to put in an area slaughterhouse. How would that help local meat producers?
With these questions in mind, contact me with your ideas and questions through the Comments section below with your thoughts....and questions! I will review them and get back to you.
Thanks,
Jim Smith
Jim Smith has over 40 years of experience using organic practices, permaculture principles, farming systems, landscaping, and gardening. He specializes in helping clients with land use including, but not limited to: food and fruit production, soil building, water management, and forest diversity. This approach brings together various ideas and harmonizes them. Due to his vast experience, Jim can draw upon numerous project experiences and provide options for you to choose from based on your needs and lifestyle. More about Jim and his work at his website, Earth and Spirit Design.
