Hi Graham,
I took a look at a few of those sites you mentioned and found it pretty amazing that the Tolhurst Organic project has been using only green manure produced on-site for the past 10 years. I have read other material that challenges these ideas and some that say flat-out that it isn't possible. Although I like the idea of not having to use captive animals to fertilize crops, we are far from free ranging natural habitats (which would eliminate the captivity part) that would provide disturbance and fertilizer that Joe Salatin argues is necessary for the "symbiotic dance" going on between people, animals, and living organisms in the soil, to ultimately have a sustainable system we can live in. I guess my confusion comes from not understanding where these animals fit-in then. I think they add to the beautiful diversity of life we have on earth and would hate to see them go because we don't see a use for them. Can these species survive without human interference since we have created so many unnatural habitats or in many cases eliminated their natural homes? Or can we start with a paddock grazing system and ween off of it to slowly redevelop natural herds that used to dominate the landscapes and provide helpful fertilization, disturbance, and food for all parts of the food chain? In other words, is green manure, or vegaculture, helpful in rebuilding a sustainable system with these animals still a piece of the whole puzzle? Can a hands-off approach help animals sustain their populations without extinction or overpopulation?
Thank you for your time, its been a joy to read your posts!
