Everyone wants a quick fix—fast food prep, fast internet, fast medicine for our ills. Corporate farms aren’t concerned with the life of the soil, just the production of as many bushels per acre as possible.
In 1970 we had a neighbor who was keenly interested in organic processes and promoted “WonderLife” products—he was both way ahead of his time and was a bounce back to healthier practices. My brothers have followed his footsteps in organic farming and are now producing specialty grains on living soil. No pesticides, no desiccants, AND getting bountiful harvests—It takes time!
I can not think of anyone better than Joel Salatin of Polyface farms to explain the dynamics of soil as a living organism. Last weeks event was well worth the time and effort. Between the Chemical industry and the Drug industry, in tandem they are poisoning the soil and the all living things. They can not see beyond their bottom line. I look out on my backyard and watch the squirrels and birds enjoy the food that the soil provides.
PS: Saw my first lone Monarch butterfly today. Their refueling stations called Milk weed which are rich in glutathione have been systematically destroyed by weed killers called Glyphosates (Round-Up and ?). Can not believe that President Trump has allowed Bayer's glyphosates classified as a Nation Defense necessity! I guess money talks!
I have seen at least five.. in the past couple weeks.. they should be gathering in NC by the end of the month. for the big migration.. PEOPLE NEED to not use ROUND UP.. I do not use Round Up and never have. before it was a 'thing'.. anyway
at least you can sit om your porch.. mine has been taken over by my son.. sigh and back yard filled up w/ weeds higher than my house almost.. and wasp nest in my dining room window. Hope the window holds up :)
I learned much from my mother, she would put coffee grounds in the soil at the lake for more earthworms for fishing. She inherited some small piece of land in town and her and stepdad grew tons of vegetables and canned like crazy. She would talk about how her mom would take the kids out in the woods and teach them what was food and medicine. I wish I had asked more questions.
Looks amazingly .. I love the old Farmer's almanac photos and theme. I don't own it.. now that my son is staying here for a while.. he does not like all my books.. so I will be not be buying any books for a while.. I have on preordered. will hide in my office. YUP the younger folks do everything on line.. until the internet crashes.
Maybe put the green tomatoes next to the bananas? they seem to ripen within 2 days of bringing them from the store, 2 more days for brown and squishy. (tongue firmly planted in cheek)
This was a terrible year for tomatoes here, where as last year they refused to quit. We had Bushy plants 7 feet tall and huge tomatoes into October.
I don't know where my grand father learned all his farming knowledge, and animal husbandry, but he was a great farmer, I'm sure my grandmother helped she was Super Smart, the Depression really hurt them, but farming saved them, here in MN. he was and inventor, out of need, Tractors from Trucks, genius built hay wagon, two wheels trailer 18" from the ground 90 bales - 13 milk cows by hand - crop rotation. 100 chickens for egg sales wish I had pictures, It was only like a 40 acres farm, but they bought and paid for it, with milk and eggs ! Oh they built all they farm buildings, My dad was a workaholic - we helped every weekend1
What a great description of what farming was like before all the fancy equipment. Farmers had to be inventors and mechanics and scientists. And no wonder that people that grew up on a farm had the best work habits around. Farm kids were strong. And if you didn't use common sense, you didn't survive. That's one of the reasons that I am amazed at people nowadays who really can't use their heads and are totally impractical!
My Grandpa always left the plants in the ground and when the died he rolled them into the ground, he removed the seeds fro next year's crops. Grew the best vegetables and used the chicken poop in the soil. Times have changed not for the better, too many chemicals.
Book bought! I had one sent to my niece when it came out because shipping to France was about the price of the book. But now it’s just 6 euros, can’t wait, should come around mid-September. I’m hoping the Malone’s will see this link and learn about Sean and his horses in Ireland - I know they will feel kinship - they need help and their story needs to get out! https://tracydawn.substack.com/p/the-heartbreaking-story-of-sean-kilkenny?r=47by6&utm_medium=ios
What an inspiring start ! Am happy to say I have all versions of your book and one of your t-shirts with your logo. Was dusappointed to miss your radio appearance this morning. Hope all has been righted.
Worms. When I finally learned of their many virtues, made peace with their being. Not a fan of snake types wriggles.
When I observe the soil in my front yard, packed down, hard it challenges my mind to think of trying to restore it. There are some self set crocus I'd hate to kill, which is limiting.
In any event, love your pictures and your products. Hoping all is well and you folks are all off to a good day!
Greetings from the Thumb Coast, Michigan. The doctors Malone have turned the narrative of soil regeneration into poetry! Thank you persevering in your efforts to bring life back to our soils, in the doing and in the writing! Slainte!
My great grandparents came from Missouri to a high prairie of southern Idaho in 1903 to homestead. At a mile high, the weather was so harsh that most of the other homesteaders left after a winter or two. Great Grandpa bought out these homesteads until he had acquired 5000 acres of land. I grew up driving the tractors and swathers. What a privilege it was. My brother still farms that land.
For three plus decades the farming was done with horse-drawn equipment. Dad would get up at 3 in the morning to harness the teams before breakfast. When you work that hard, you learn to respect the soil because it is your livelihood. So I really appreciate your article, Dr. Malone. Especially this paragraph.
"The old farmers also understood this, even if they did not use the language we use today. They planted to protect the ground. They rotated crops. They let roots do the work. They paid attention to water, slope, and season. And they stayed with it."
Few people nowadays really have any clue or understanding about how complex and difficult and expensive it is to farm or ranch at a scale beyond a few acres. You can do everything right, and then in one afternoon, a hailstorm or some other disaster can obliterate entire crops. And yet the true farmer gets up every morning and returns to the fields that are his livelihood.
Everyone wants a quick fix—fast food prep, fast internet, fast medicine for our ills. Corporate farms aren’t concerned with the life of the soil, just the production of as many bushels per acre as possible.
In 1970 we had a neighbor who was keenly interested in organic processes and promoted “WonderLife” products—he was both way ahead of his time and was a bounce back to healthier practices. My brothers have followed his footsteps in organic farming and are now producing specialty grains on living soil. No pesticides, no desiccants, AND getting bountiful harvests—It takes time!
I can not think of anyone better than Joel Salatin of Polyface farms to explain the dynamics of soil as a living organism. Last weeks event was well worth the time and effort. Between the Chemical industry and the Drug industry, in tandem they are poisoning the soil and the all living things. They can not see beyond their bottom line. I look out on my backyard and watch the squirrels and birds enjoy the food that the soil provides.
PS: Saw my first lone Monarch butterfly today. Their refueling stations called Milk weed which are rich in glutathione have been systematically destroyed by weed killers called Glyphosates (Round-Up and ?). Can not believe that President Trump has allowed Bayer's glyphosates classified as a Nation Defense necessity! I guess money talks!
I have seen at least five.. in the past couple weeks.. they should be gathering in NC by the end of the month. for the big migration.. PEOPLE NEED to not use ROUND UP.. I do not use Round Up and never have. before it was a 'thing'.. anyway
at least you can sit om your porch.. mine has been taken over by my son.. sigh and back yard filled up w/ weeds higher than my house almost.. and wasp nest in my dining room window. Hope the window holds up :)
I learned much from my mother, she would put coffee grounds in the soil at the lake for more earthworms for fishing. She inherited some small piece of land in town and her and stepdad grew tons of vegetables and canned like crazy. She would talk about how her mom would take the kids out in the woods and teach them what was food and medicine. I wish I had asked more questions.
The Zoology Department at the University of Texas at Austin is now known as "Integrative Biology". This is progress?
Crazy isn't it?
I’m enjoying your book. My husband has been reading it as well.
Looks amazingly .. I love the old Farmer's almanac photos and theme. I don't own it.. now that my son is staying here for a while.. he does not like all my books.. so I will be not be buying any books for a while.. I have on preordered. will hide in my office. YUP the younger folks do everything on line.. until the internet crashes.
Great informative article. Very helpful. I'll add some of this information to my website https://www.vegetable-gardening-online.com/vegetable-garden-soil.html. Also a new page I added https://www.vegetable-gardening-online.com/how-to-ripen-green-tomatoes-indoors.html. It's so sad to let all those green tomatoes still on the vine when the weather changes.
Maybe put the green tomatoes next to the bananas? they seem to ripen within 2 days of bringing them from the store, 2 more days for brown and squishy. (tongue firmly planted in cheek)
This was a terrible year for tomatoes here, where as last year they refused to quit. We had Bushy plants 7 feet tall and huge tomatoes into October.
I don't know where my grand father learned all his farming knowledge, and animal husbandry, but he was a great farmer, I'm sure my grandmother helped she was Super Smart, the Depression really hurt them, but farming saved them, here in MN. he was and inventor, out of need, Tractors from Trucks, genius built hay wagon, two wheels trailer 18" from the ground 90 bales - 13 milk cows by hand - crop rotation. 100 chickens for egg sales wish I had pictures, It was only like a 40 acres farm, but they bought and paid for it, with milk and eggs ! Oh they built all they farm buildings, My dad was a workaholic - we helped every weekend1
What a great description of what farming was like before all the fancy equipment. Farmers had to be inventors and mechanics and scientists. And no wonder that people that grew up on a farm had the best work habits around. Farm kids were strong. And if you didn't use common sense, you didn't survive. That's one of the reasons that I am amazed at people nowadays who really can't use their heads and are totally impractical!
My Grandpa always left the plants in the ground and when the died he rolled them into the ground, he removed the seeds fro next year's crops. Grew the best vegetables and used the chicken poop in the soil. Times have changed not for the better, too many chemicals.
Book bought! I had one sent to my niece when it came out because shipping to France was about the price of the book. But now it’s just 6 euros, can’t wait, should come around mid-September. I’m hoping the Malone’s will see this link and learn about Sean and his horses in Ireland - I know they will feel kinship - they need help and their story needs to get out! https://tracydawn.substack.com/p/the-heartbreaking-story-of-sean-kilkenny?r=47by6&utm_medium=ios
Bought my house in 2004 from a landscaper.
Ended the chemicals. Built a garden. Let the soil return to its pre-abused state.
Gradually wildlife returned from a nearby preserve. We are now the only house in our tiny neighborhood with such activity.
And yes, this is suburbia.
Your (plural) book is great! Thanks for sharing hard-earned wisdom. Your readers are fortunate.
What an inspiring start ! Am happy to say I have all versions of your book and one of your t-shirts with your logo. Was dusappointed to miss your radio appearance this morning. Hope all has been righted.
Worms. When I finally learned of their many virtues, made peace with their being. Not a fan of snake types wriggles.
When I observe the soil in my front yard, packed down, hard it challenges my mind to think of trying to restore it. There are some self set crocus I'd hate to kill, which is limiting.
In any event, love your pictures and your products. Hoping all is well and you folks are all off to a good day!
I checked into raising organic soybeans
Had to let land lie fallow for two years
Could only use manure for fertilization but no issue with where it came from??
Was told pesticides could be used in loss of crop situations?
Gave up the idea
Put the Amish in charge
It’s routine farming to them
Greetings from the Thumb Coast, Michigan. The doctors Malone have turned the narrative of soil regeneration into poetry! Thank you persevering in your efforts to bring life back to our soils, in the doing and in the writing! Slainte!
My great grandparents came from Missouri to a high prairie of southern Idaho in 1903 to homestead. At a mile high, the weather was so harsh that most of the other homesteaders left after a winter or two. Great Grandpa bought out these homesteads until he had acquired 5000 acres of land. I grew up driving the tractors and swathers. What a privilege it was. My brother still farms that land.
For three plus decades the farming was done with horse-drawn equipment. Dad would get up at 3 in the morning to harness the teams before breakfast. When you work that hard, you learn to respect the soil because it is your livelihood. So I really appreciate your article, Dr. Malone. Especially this paragraph.
"The old farmers also understood this, even if they did not use the language we use today. They planted to protect the ground. They rotated crops. They let roots do the work. They paid attention to water, slope, and season. And they stayed with it."
Few people nowadays really have any clue or understanding about how complex and difficult and expensive it is to farm or ranch at a scale beyond a few acres. You can do everything right, and then in one afternoon, a hailstorm or some other disaster can obliterate entire crops. And yet the true farmer gets up every morning and returns to the fields that are his livelihood.