Today we’re exploring sustainability as we continue our series on regenerative organic gardening (see previous articles here, here, and here).
Proponents of regenerative organic farming share an urgent message. Contemporary industrial farming methods using inorganic (nitrogen) fertilizer are destroying the food supply by eroding the soil, poisoning the environment, and emptying the aquifers. The American Midwest was once blessed with topsoil several feet deep. However, inorganic farming has eroded most of this topsoil, with only a few inches remaining. Some areas have already experienced a total loss of topsoil.
As the soil degrades, farmers use larger amounts of nitrogen fertilizer, accelerating the collapse. Further, the runoff into rivers is disastrous and creates the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone.
Even more dire is the looming water crisis. Because there is no mulch covering to help the soil retain moisture, industrial farms consume significantly more water. Many large farms also use spray irrigation, losing most of the water to evaporation. (Drip irrigation is a more sustainable method.) This all results in aquifers being mined to the point where wells are drying up.
Some paint a nightmare scenario lurking behind a severe drought. As the underground water source dries up, the little remaining topsoil will dry up and blow away, resulting in the desertification of the Midwest. America’s Breadbasket transformed - into a dust bowl.
By rejecting industrial farming practices, we’re working to reverse these alarming trends. Regenerative organic farming continuously creates more topsoil while adding nutrients to the earth beneath. The secret is three fold: (1) we use nutrient-rich compost as soil, (2) we use a mulch covering that continuously breaks down into more soil, and (3) we add a dusting of organic maneuver to fortify the soil. Further, the mulch covering retains moisture, drastically reducing the amount of water needed to grow food.
And as you heal your land using your garden, your garden will heal you by providing you and your family with abundant food that is far fresher, tastier, and more nutritious than grocery store produce.
In the next article, we’ll look at how growing your own food is revolutionary!