Philosophies of my farm

     Every farmer has different thoughts on how to farm, and it is up to the consumer to ask questions of their food and their farmers.  Food can be grown without reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.  It requires that the farmer works with nature and natural processes instead of working against them, and that is how I raise my crops.

     I strongly believe that synthetic chemicals are toxic to soil and can kill beneficial soil life and slowly cause the soil to lose its tilth, natural fertility and organic matter.  They can also cause nutrient imbalances that creates a situation where the plants are constantly stressed, making them more attractive to insects.  Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are primarily derived from fossil fuels making us more dependant on oil and creates a less secure food system if oil supplies run dry.  Doesn't sound like the way it should be.

     That's why I dont use synthetics on my farm.  Instead I use compost, cover crops, crop rotations, natural rock phosphates, fish-based products (think of how the indians showed the pilgrams to grow corn), and seaweed products for fertility on my fields.  I use healthy plants, trap crops, row covers and natural products for insect control.  And my food looks great, tastes great, and is healthy and safe to eat! 

      In the three years since I bought my current farm; which had been farmed using conventional no-till before I bought it, I have noticed an incredible increase in the number of earthworms.  This spring I was digging in a dry area and every shovel of soil had at least two or three worms!  And each year the tilth seems to improve.  My first year when the soil was even slightly damp it would stick to my shoes like glue.  Now this spring I can walk over it and very little seems to stick.  None of these experiences are scientific of course, I don't record data or anything like that, its just some things that have caught my attention when I'm in the soil. 

     Also, currently in Illinois, about 90% of the food we eat comes from outside the state!  That seems unreal to me!  We have some of the most fertile soils in the world and we don't even feed ourselves with them.  Think of how many people could be employed and how profitable current farmers could be if even 50% of our food was grown in state!  Now obviously in the winter months we would have to rely on warmer climates for some foods, but a lot of produce can be stored by freezing or canning, and lots of crops can be grown through winter with cold frames and hoophouses.  So there seems to be tremendous potential here for economic growth and sustainability, but it requires and change in thought and attitude about our food.         

     Here is a link to an article by Michael Pollan on where our food system is, and how I feel it should and could be.   http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html?emc=eta1