John Finnell

Hi Allan!

I have a question for grazing sheep in a low rain-fall area in Southern California.

"During the last 14 years, Temecula weather:
 Averages 62°F year round
 Rain averages: 13 inches with a low 0.37 inches and high at 26.7 inches
 Summer months are hot and dry with an average 79°F temperature
 Summer months may have up to 18 days over 100°F
 Winter months average approximately 51°F
 Winter months may have up to 13 days under 32°F

Geology
Temecula is in the Temecula Valley area of southern California. The land area is considered Mediterranean climate to near desert chaparral with wet winters and hot dry summers. The meadow area has low hills with decomposed granite, a light sandy loam soil. "

(I would say that we haven't seen 13 inches in a loooong time. It's more on the lower end of the scale - very dry!)

The area we are talking about is 350 acres of meadow with trails for walking, biking, horseback riding. Here is our location on Google Maps - http://goo.gl/maps/UHr2V - Our community recently got a grant to preserve the land and start using more holistic management techniques. The common area is basically rolling hills which was speculated to be dry farmed roughly 100 years ago. And was grazed by sheep at one point, mostly non-native grasses have become dominant and more importantly soil erosion. We'd like to restore the landscape, stop erosion, promote the natural habitat of native shrubs, grasses and wildflowers. There are coyotes that still exist here, as well as burrowing owls which are becoming endangered.

We are in the beginning stages of planning and thinking of using sheep to graze the land again, hoping that we can it in a way that will help restore the landscape. Right now we have a tractor mowing at certain times of the year for fire safety.

My questions are; How many sheep should we put on the land, within how large of an area at any given time? And how often do we move them? When is it best to start? Will sheep be the best option?

There was talk about the shepherd using electric fencing to move them around the common. My concern is that I don't think the shepherd has the understanding of soil rehabilitation in order to utilize the sheep accordingly. None of us in the committee know the proper tactics for this. I've studied Permaculture and have been around cell grazing, but that was in a completely different climate. So I'm very unfamiliar with what steps to take in this situation.

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to answer everyone's questions!
John

I couldn't agree more. In fact I've noticed that it takes a certain level of suffering in order for people to wake up, and start making healthier choices, for themselves... which is ultimately for the Planet, since there is no separation. I think all the horrific stuff going on is happening for this very reason, to wake up! And it's manifested because of the unhealthy aspects inside of the human mind, ie falling asleep, being complaisent, lazy, greedy, selfish, believing we are separate and don't effect the whole, etc. So what better time to move in a healthier direction!

Amazing! I love when something like that happens. We all help each other in awakening, so glad you got so much out of the movie LaLena MaeRee. It's amazing what a little bit of knowledge can do. I'm so grateful for Jeffrey Smith for doing the research and being so passionate about getting the word out over the last 12 years! This so much about basic human rights.

Glad you got something out of the film. I'm trying to tell as many friends as I can about it, it amazes me, cause if you eat food, which we all do, this is so important to know. I hope our country can get a clue and help our horrible health situation. Kids are really the victims, cause they don't know any better, and it's going to effect them when they get older, if it isn't now, like you mentioned. But with knowledge we can change that, and become healthy individuals! I hope they can change their diets before things get worse.

Best of luck, and take care!
John

http://geneticroulettemovie.com/

Free online viewing this week Started Sept 15. The information is mind blowing. GMOs could be a major missing link to a lot of health problems on the rise.

I live in the area, but up in Temecula, so it's drier than down there in San Marcos.

My Dad transplanted in a bunch of drought tolerant and "native" plants about a year and half ago. (Now I know about loosing the taproot by doing this, thanks to Paul)

He put a homogenous 2 inch thick layer of wood chips, and I it SUCKS! The plants are really not very happy this Summer, weed suppression is great, but at what cost? Some annual plants definitely poped-up through the mulch, and are very happy in Spring time. Thinking back everything looked pretty good in Spring, much cooler with rains.

There used to be a lawn for about 25 years, he killed it with Round-Up I wasn't a part of this plan. It amazes me how most people think these poisons are no big deal and "safe" to use.

The plants not doing so well, could be the round-up, could be the Summer heat, and not having a taproot. But I also think a big part is the compaction of the soil, and the wood chip mulch. The chips definitely created a matte, like Paul is saying in this video. It doesn't allow the soil to breathe at all. The water also doesn't want to drain properly, and the small amount of water in the Winter can not penetrate the chip layer!

Now in the Summer we are getting this problem where the plant is either too wet when watered from irrigation, and staying that way for too long, or it's way too dry. I think my Dad is over watering cause he doesn't understand the plant's natural water needs.

I went to the talk last night and what Paul is saying about planting a diverse amount of seeds and making texture in the landscape is a great idea for here. I planted a bunch of random seeds in between our little back yard orchard, and a lot of flowers and plants popped up throughout Spring and Summer. I did irrigated in the beginning because I was late in the season and being impatient.

What I've learned: have more patience, make texture in the landscape for microclimate, broadly seed out diverse plants in the Fall, for Winter rains. And use rough texture chunky messy mulch, not a chipper. Makes so much sense to me for this climate.

Thanks Paul!

Hey Patrick, I agree on balanced diet, so important. But when you are depleted like I was for so long. I found that supplements help to quickly restore and nourish so the body can get up to speed to utilize that balanced diet properly. Just speaking from experience.

I've been seeing a Naturopath for about 4 months now. He prescribes Standard Process supplements - https://www.standardprocess.com. I have had chronic back pain when waking in the mornings for over 6 years now, as well as low energy and fatigue symptoms, asthma, among other minor but irritating long term health problems.

I'm pretty strict about an organic whole foods diet these days. I follow Sally Fallon and use her cook book. So, I'm happy to be taking a whole food supplement. Not something made up in a lab.

Immediately after starting my supplementation, I had more energy and strength. I currently enjoy exercise cause I have both of these qualities more consistently, for it not to be a drag or a chore. And I am surprised to find many of my chronic conditions diminishing and lessening more and more.

The healing path has been like a roller coaster, and still is. But I feel it evening out, healing up, like never before.

One thing I really like is my Naturopath's approach to healing on all levels. In actuality the supplementation is secondary to his main focus. It is more to do with psychology and spiritual growth, through a simple process called The 12-Step Group. Most people know of it as Alcoholics Anonymous. But in this particular "12 Step Group", the alcohol and substance part is taken out. What's left is the addicted behavior of the mind, especially to anything mentally unhealthy... ego, self-centeredness, drama, the illusion of control. And it goes to show that when the mind is gummed up the body is too.

So, I'm just curious if anyone else has used Standard Process supplements, or any other whole food supplements which they have had good results with?

Take care everyone. Be healthy, and be happy!
John