...but have been drifting away.

http://alturl.com/pnzj

The one that has the gold has to be fed by the one that tills the soil.

Some believe that the ancient Egyptian'Al Khem', from which Alchemy the precusor of Chemistry was derived, was the creation and maintainance of dark humus rich soil, the key to good nutrition, health and wealth. The translation 'Black Soil' may have nothing to do with any manipulation by sympathetic magic or other dark means but Stewardship of the land and sustained production of sufficient calories, protein, fats etc for everyones needs. The base of civilisation.

Inner Alchemy being the mirror of this.

Some good points in the article turey, but this is a really tangled web. Land ownership is already an issue. Many small farmers, particularly in developed countries, have long ago been forced out of business. I don't think the multi-nationals, (the Monsantos, or the ADM's for example) will take the clamps off. Therein lies the problem, because the solution would involve a redistribution of agro resourses.

Only in lesser developed countries would this be possible, with small stakes still in the hands of individuals. With population growth, however, there's added pressure as holdings become smaller through generational sub-division.

Woody Guthrie wrote: On one side, the sign said "no trespassing." On the other, it didn't say nothing. That side was made for you and me.

Thanks Sentry. As long as there are some that still practice land Stewardship, there will still be a core or seed group available to teach the old methods. Those that want to keep our bodies and fields free of GMO's and the associated chemicals and practices, had best speak up and encourage the pracitice of organic farming.

I and many others do not want to eat from these multinationals. Yes all food is healthy, to a point. It's not only the possible effects to ones body but the effects on local plant biodiversity and the disruption of the maintainance of soil as a dynamic entity capable of enriching itself while providing food, without use of man made chemicals. All the chemicals needed have been around for a few million years in nature, it's to know how to work with them.

It is surprising how much food a person can grow/raise on a small bit of land utilising intensive and mixed planting practices that reduce negative external effects (Externalities) and effect the yearly enrichment of the soil thus more and better produce over time.

Check what the Cubans are producing in their backyards without NPK, pesticides and hebicides.

When was there a debate on soil fertility and food independence and security in Gordon House? I've read some mumbling on organic farming but it seems half hearted.

Then there is diet. What we put in our mouths bear all the expenses of it's production. How much water used? How much carbon was produced? How the soil was treated? What where the effects of the outputs of the production? Chemicals in the aquifer thence to the sea? Are the earthworms and micro organisms healthy? How is the micro nutrient content of the soil affected by the practice? Etc.

To me these are basic and important issues that are usually neglected in favor of business as usual and cyaan badda.

Turey, thanks for your stimulating and informative post, as usual. Could you please post a few of the websites which you have found most informative on the subjects of organic farming and sustainable development? I'm very interested in learning more, with a view to starting my own small scale organic farm eventually. Possibly other readers could benefit from catching the vision. Thanks.

Treasure Beach could lend itself very well to that sort of "development". It already tends to attract people who are environmentally sensitive.

Yes Van, I hope we see those signs that 'didn't say nothing', more and more.

Thanks Andrew. I would suggest starting with Grace Gershuny's books. Start With the Soil and the Rodale Book of Composting are full of the info needed to initiate a project.

Permaculture, a Designers Manual by Bill Mollison is my guide to working with the elements for low external input living and organic farming working in tandem with appropriate technologies.

http://www.allbookstores.com/author/Grace_Gershuny.html

http://www.amazon.com/PERMACULTURE-Designers-Manual-Bill-Mollison/dp/0908228015

Googling 'organic farming' or 'permaculture' will give you much. I find the learning process endless.

Best, turey.

The biggest problem with farming in Treasure Beach is water. The good people up on the hills have been able to establish a tradition of cultivation through back-breaking mulching and watering. The difference is that they do have much better soil than us down on the lowlands.

I've been wondering if, with all the ponds in Treasure Beach, if there couldn't be a way to store and channel this water to potential farmlands. I doubt if most would have the dunny to fund this, but with a litle infusion from elsewhere (govrnmnt, ngo's, or private), perhaps it could be done. Of course, the land owners would have to be interested in this as well....

Great idea Sentry. The pond water may also be rich in nutrients. The landowners would have to agree.

It would not be rocket science and if all interested people chip in it could work. The too rapid depletion of the pond water is a consideration.

Mulching/dry land farming has proved itself here. It is labour intensive, has anyone used sheeting as mulch?

http://www.the-organic-gardener.com/mulch.html

Drip irrigation minimises water waste and concentrates delivery.

You ever notice that most farmers are happy and enthousiastic about their work, even in drought. There is something special about working with plants, soil, sun and water to encourage good health in earth and folks.

Thanks Turey.

Does anyone know of any resources in Jamaica, preferably in St. Elizabeth, for teaching people how to go about organic farming? Ideally, some way of learning from someone who is doing it themselves. I know there are vast amounts of information on the web on the subject, but hoped to benefit from the trial and error process in local conditions.