Jason Riessland

I am a Korean Natural Farming instructor, and I am currently in Alaska above the Arctic Circle, working and teaching until June.  As far as my practice at home on the Big Island, I rely primarily on KNF/JADAM, but I also incorporate some Biodynamics as well, and some Vermicomposting.  I have used chicken tractors in the past, and believe that this method has its place, especially if one is trying to restore depleted pastureland.  Having said that, I do feel the KNF method for chickens is ultimately superior, especially when raising laying hens.  As I always say, use the methods that work for you and speak to your heart.

In the Korean Natural Farming method, chicks are immediately fed hard rice (counter-intuitive, right?) This actually lengthens their intestine and allows hens to produce eggs of unparalleled quality.  At day two, they are fed hard bamboo leaves.  If a chicks first encounter with greens is tough and course, they will be conditioned not to be afraid to eat any type of green.  

All of the links on both pages are active.

The free PDFs are on the main KNF page:

 Cho Global (Korean) Natural Farming was founded by Han-Kyu Cho in the 1960's and finds its roots in Japanese Natural Farming.  It began as a counterbalance to the introduction of Western agricultural practices in South Korea, and is now being utilized in over 42 countries.  Agricultural solutions can be produced onsite without the use of herbicides, tillage, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers.  It focuses on building and supporting healthy soil biology and the use of plant nutrient applications, many of which are inexpensive and easy to make.

    Korean Natural Farming has become quite popular on the Big Island of Hawai'i, and is being utilized by some of its largest farms.  It can be used in any climate (anywhere where plants grow.)  It has many advatages over other methods, and provides inexpensive options for creating fertility.

Here is the Cho Global Natural Farming-Hawaii website.  It is a great source for obtaining instructional manuals, as well as order dry ingredients to make Oriental Herbal Nutrient:

choglobalnaturalfarminghawaii.org/

And here is a link to a free Korean Natural Farming PDF from India:

ilcasia.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/publication-chos-global-natural-farming-sarra/

And a free PDF from the Northeast Organic Farming Association in Massechusetts:

https://www.nofamass.org/articles/2014/05/korean-natural-farming-managing-farm-systems-holistically

The Korean Natural Farming Chicken system involves utilizing indigenous microorganisms to convert their solid waste into a biosolid, which provides for 10 percent of their diet.  It also includes calcium and mineral supplementation via their drinking water.  An internet search for Korean Natural Farming Chickens will get you started, or you can go to my website: FrontYardFood.org and click on the Cho Global (Korean) Natural Farming page and download some free PDFs.

Korean Natural Farming provides an excellent way to reduce feed costs while also providing for adequate mineral intake.

Natural Farming seems the most all+encompassing to me.

Well, in light of the above comments, and as a natural farming instructor, my suggestion would be to take a class, and get a Basic Manual.  An understanding of the system a a whole key, as well as the nutritive cycle.  Without this, one will get less than satisfactory results, and may even cause harm.  Vist: choglobalnaturalfarminghawaii.org 😊

Paul,

Whether or not you speak formally or not, in my view is not the main consideration. Come and enjoy the Big Island - you will be learning and teaching along the way anyway - maybe a warm, sunny break is in order.

Aloha,

Jason Riessland )

Well, January in Hawaii is wonderful - you would not be disappointed. I came to the Big Island 4 years ago, and after picking lettuce, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes from my garden on Thanksgiving Day - that was it - I was hooked! I concur with other posters, that Big Island would be a good fit for you. Plenty of permie stuff going on, as well as some fine examples of permaculture in action. I would be happy to help you make the most of your visit here, as well as organizing some sort of permie forum. I bet you would enjoy seeing some Korean Natural Farming in action as well.

When you have a moment, check out my website: FrontYardFood.org - Since 2011, we have given away over 5,000 vegetable, herb, and fruit tree seedlings at the Hilo Farmer's Market. I like to think of a seedling as a "gateway drug" to Permaculture! ;o)

Let me know if I can be of any assistance. I am not sure what sort of accommodations you require, but you are welcome to make use of the guest tent on my farm.

Aloha Ea,

Jason Riessland )