Farming with Terraces and Raised Beds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WddekwA23dk&feature=relmfu

Sepp Holtzer reveals some of his secrets to his success in this mini-documentary, namely his use of terraces and raised beds in his farming. The former technique has been implemented by farmers for centuries, only to be abandonned in the wake of conventional farming. The latter is fairly new and Holtzer puts his own spin on it putting a layer of various organic matter under the surface. Both of thesse techniques help to create a microclimate around the plants. Terracing especially helps to stop soil erosion and thus allows for greater moisture retention. Holtzer thus has need for irrigation. The special raised beds help the plants to stay warm, allowing them to stay active even during winter under the snow.

Intelligent Use of Water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bar82jvGvPE&feature=related

No one can overstate the importance of water use and managment in agriculture. However, most do not know the uses of water beyond irrigation. As Sepp Holtzer demonstrates in the video above, water can have a variety of uses. Such include the use of ponds to create microclimates to foster plant growth, a system to extend the growing season,  a source of electricity, a source of income and more. With his innovative and intelligent use of water, Holtzer is able to live almost completely independantly of the outside world.

The Agro Rebel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yScINihX_z8

Sepp Holtzer is a name well known in permaculture circles for good reason. After all, he had been farming for several years using permaculture before the term was even invented. The above documentarty lays out his success, his struggles and his techniques. Holtzer's brand of farming does not at all resemble any form of conventional agriculture. Instead of a chemical, mechanical, monocrop operation, Holtzer runs his mountain farm in the exact opposite way. Instead of chemical fertilizer he allows natural processes to maintain soil fertility. Nearly everthing is done by hand. Various plants are allowed to grow together, forming a support system for all of them. His entire opperation is based on careful observation and cooperating with nature.

Making the Big Bucks with Permaculture

Paul Wheaton, founder of the permaculture forum at permies.com , covers in a series of podcasts some ways of making very good via permaculture and tells a little about some success stories such as Sepp Holtzer and Masanobu Fukuoka. Wheaton stresses the cost benefits of permaculture practices and the importance of marketing.

Part I
Part II
Part III

Permaculture Forum - Permies

http://www.permies.com/forums/

An earlier post contained the documentary Farm of the Future. Within the documentary, Permaculture (permanent agriculture) was mentioned as a solution to the problems agriculuture will face in the future. Anyone whose interest was sparked ought to consider join the permaculture forums known as Permies. The forum covers  just about any related subject one could think of, from growing things, to many sorts of animals and livestock, to general sustainable living tips and everything in-between. One may find the series of podcasts and articles of use as well. Be aware, though. A number of topics are unusual and perhaps off-putting.

Dry-Farming

With the historic drought occuring in the United States as of late, I believe this a timely book. Dry-Farming: It's Priciples and Practice by William MacDonald covers exactly as the title says. Though published over a century ago, I  think farmers concerned with water managment and retenion may learn a thing or two. It includes a history of Dry-Farming, the conservation of soil moisture, rainfall and evaporation, the tilling problems, Dry-Farming zones, dry land crops, and more

Source: http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/01aglibwelcome.html

PDF: http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010172.dry.farming.pdf

Weeds, Guardians of the Soil

Many would consider plants known as weeds as little more than an eyesore or a nuisance. Not everyone thinks that way, though. For some such as Joseph Cocannouner, author of Weeds, Guardians of the Soil, weeds provide a number of important and beneficial functions. For one, they bring up minerals that have been depleted in the topsoil from the lower subsoil for the benefit of the crops. Additionally, according to Cocannouner, weeds break up rough patches of soil, allowing future crops to send down roots much more deely than before. Weeds furthermore promote a good environment for the small organisms that make any soil fertile. Lastly, weeds serve as great indicators of overall soil health and as specific indicators of particular deficiencies. Any farmer or gardener who finds weeds a source of consternation may want to consider reading this.

This out-of-print text can also be found at the Soil and Health Ag Library.

Soil Building for Better Crops

http://www.betuco.be/CA/Building%20Soils%20for%20Better%20Crops.pdf

Ultimately, the quality and quantity of any plant or crop depends upon the quality of the soil it's grown in. This handy and practical manual provides good information on intelligent and ecological managment of soil. The beginner agriculturalist or horticulturalist can find much of use here, as will one looking for a more ecological approach. Topics include soil basics such as nutrients and physical properties, ecological soil and crop management, and soil health evaluation.

Better than Organic

This article, which is actually a rather lengthy interview, details the shortcommings of the organic farming movement. Topics covered include nutrition and health, soil fertilty, a history of the organic movement, and the importance of soil minerals.

Part I: http://www.soilminerals.com/AgricolaI.htm

Part II: http://www.soilminerals.com/AgricolaII.htm

PDF version: http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010178.better.than.organic.pdf