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.

Some very Interesting Information about Food Regulation...

FARMAGGEDON

Sources: http://farmageddonmovie.com/

              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uah8LBUbfc

This rather engaging documentary entitled "Farmaggedon" reveals the obstacles and conflicts that organic farmers and food producers face from federal food regulation agencies. Often such farmers face harassment, crushing amounts of regulatory paperwork, seizures of their products and livestock, house arrest, and even threats at gunpoint. This film certainly raises many questions and provides food for thought. One wonders why the goverment agencies intensly regulate the sale of  healthful foods such as raw milk yet do nothing to regulate the sale of unhealthy processed and fast foods. What sort of interests are food regulation agencies really protecting?

A Farm for the Future

           The above documentary presents the story of a British farmer in her attempt to find answers to the problem of oil dependance as it relates to agriculture, since modern agriculture relies heavily on petroleum to operate farm equipment and transport produce. She seems to find the answer in what is known as permaculture. The documentary then goes on to explain a little of what permaculture is, though not in detail. In fact, nothing is explained in too much detail. However, it might serve as a solid introduction to those unaware of permaculture or the relation of oil dependance to agriculture. The video may be found here.