Hello,
Ive just joined the forum, and have not had time to check out all the information that is on this site regarding “natural farming “, and the work of Fukuoka.
The reason for this post is that over X-mas I got into discussion with my father-in-law regarding modern agricultural practices, resource depletion, pollution, etc, etc.
Using permaculture as an example, I suggested that there are alternative models for food production that involve human ingenuity and working with nature, rather than the contemporary approach that advocates a dependence on fossil fuels, arsenals of chemicals, and relentlessly battling the natural order of things.
When I explained that you could simply let the land plough itself, sow seed encased in clay pellets, reduce water use by mulching, allow for indigenous weeds to co-exist with the crop, etc, etc it, was dismissed as complete nonsense.
As the discussion escalated, he challenged me to prove him wrong, and eventually offered me an acre of unused land, so I could implement what he called “your fantasy”.
I am aware that this is a slow process where fertility and productivity builds on itself, and that initially it would be naive to expect anything different. However, I have been waiting for a very, very long time to be given this opportunity, and what drives me is not so much to avoid the “I told you so” scenario, as it is to actually start cultivating a decent sized plot of land, according to the principles of natural farming.
I now have a few months to gather my thoughts, and figure out the best course of action, before spring arrives. If from the beginning, I could be steered away from the mayor potential mistakes that can be made, this would no doubt give me, and the plot, a fighting chance.
I hereby reach out to the members of this forum for their experiences and any conclusions they might have come when the transitioning to this kind farming, especially on the topics of seedballs and weeds.
Please note that, the field has remained fallow for many years, and is located in a part of the world that is subjected to hot summers, bitterly cold winters, and there is abundant rainfall in the spring and autumn.
Rgds
Chris
"I'd rather be a failure at something I enjoy than be a success at something I hate" - George Burns
