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7 friends built restoration ecovillage. Outcome 50 years on

Kirsten Dirksen・24 minutes read

The farm highlights the nutritional value of quinoa and amaranth seeds, practicing sustainable organic farming techniques for almost half a century. It focuses on creating complex ecological systems, biodiversity, and sustainable practices, emphasizing the importance of seed saving and probiotic approaches for holistic sustainability.

Insights

  • Amaranth seeds are noted for their high amino acid content, while the farm emphasizes creating conditions for self-seeding edible amaranth plants to provide a continuous food source, showcasing a focus on nutritional sustainability and biodiversity.
  • The farm's holistic sustainability approach encompasses diverse practices such as biointensive gardening, water recycling, and forest management for fire resilience, emphasizing the interconnectedness of ecological systems and the importance of seed saving in preserving genetic diversity against corporate control, promoting a regenerative model of agriculture.

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Recent questions

  • What are the nutritional benefits of quinoa and amaranth?

    Quinoa and amaranth are highlighted for their nutritional value, with amaranth seeds being rich in amino acids. These grains are considered superfoods due to their high protein content, essential amino acids, and various vitamins and minerals. Quinoa is a complete protein source, containing all nine essential amino acids, making it a valuable addition to a vegetarian or vegan diet. Amaranth, on the other hand, is rich in lysine, an amino acid often lacking in other grains. Both quinoa and amaranth are gluten-free, making them suitable for individuals with gluten sensitivities. Incorporating these grains into your diet can provide a nutrient-dense and healthy alternative to traditional grains.

  • How does the farm promote sustainable agriculture?

    The farm, one of California's oldest certified organic farms, practices hand tilling, biodiverse seed saving, and organic farming to promote sustainability. By avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, the farm protects soil health and biodiversity, contributing to long-term environmental sustainability. Additionally, the farm focuses on creating conditions for the growth of edible amaranth plants, which self-seed and provide a continuous source of food. Through these practices, the farm demonstrates a commitment to sustainable agriculture by prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, and organic farming methods.

  • What is the solar suburbia concept?

    The solar suburbia concept involves experimenting with rounded roofs for convection currents to improve heating and cooling efficiency. By utilizing passive solar heating techniques, the farm aims to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. This concept focuses on harnessing natural elements like sunlight and air circulation to regulate indoor temperatures, creating a more sustainable and energy-efficient living environment. Through the solar suburbia concept, the farm explores innovative ways to enhance thermal comfort and reduce reliance on conventional heating and cooling systems.

  • How does the farm manage water resources?

    The farm employs various water management techniques, including contouring the land to slow, spread, sink, store, and share water. By utilizing swales and ponds, the farm effectively captures and distributes water to support crop growth and enhance soil health. The irrigation system on the farm is designed to maximize water efficiency and minimize runoff, ensuring that water resources are utilized in a sustainable manner. Through these practices, the farm demonstrates a holistic approach to water management, emphasizing the importance of conserving and recycling water to support agricultural production and ecosystem health.

  • What is the Kent Whaley Memorial Seed Collection?

    The Kent Whaley Memorial Seed Collection houses a climate-controlled seed storage managed by Doug Gosling, organizing seeds by plant families and varieties. This collection emphasizes the importance of seed saving in preserving genetic diversity and ensuring food security. By storing and categorizing seeds based on plant families and varieties, the collection serves as a valuable resource for maintaining biodiversity and protecting heirloom seeds from corporate control. The Kent Whaley Memorial Seed Collection highlights the farm's commitment to seed saving and promoting sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize genetic diversity and resilience in food production.

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Summary

00:00

Sustainable Farming Practices and Nutrient-Rich Crops

  • Quinoa and amaranth are highlighted for their nutritional value and vibrant colors, with amaranth seeds being rich in amino acids.
  • The farm, one of California's oldest certified organic farms, practices hand tilling, biodiverse seed saving, and organic farming for almost 50 years.
  • Edible amaranth plants self-seed, providing a continuous source of food, with the farm focusing on creating conditions for their growth.
  • The farm cultivates a hybrid fruit called chapova, a sorbo pyrus hybrid, and operates as a consensus-based residential collective.
  • The property, situated on traditional Native American land, has a history of sustainable practices and appropriate technology, including passive solar heated tiny houses.
  • The solar suburbia concept, with rounded roofs for convection currents, was experimented with for heating and cooling efficiency.
  • The property features a matrix of perennial polyculture, including various fruit trees, citrus, and traditional crops like nopales and prickly pears.
  • The farm's focus on soil health and biointensive gardening techniques, like double digging, contrasts with industrial agriculture's soil degradation practices.
  • The farm uses lime-based plaster, reclaimed redwood, and compost toilets to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability.
  • Gray water systems, compost toilets, and native landscaping are employed to recycle water and enhance soil health, emphasizing a holistic approach to sustainability.

16:47

Sustainable Farming: Diverse Ecosystems and Conservation

  • The irrigation system on the farm involves contouring the land to slow, spread, sink, store, and share water, with water flowing from a swale to various crops like blueberries, blackberries, gooseberries, and currents, ultimately reaching a habitat pond.
  • The entire farm's irrigation is sourced from a large pond excavated by Fair Lawns folks, naturally sealed with native clays, filled by runoff, and used for gravity irrigation, supporting native tree frogs that aid in biological pest control.
  • The farm features multi-layered perennial polyculture food forests with various fruits like olives, apples, pears, peaches, plums, mulberries, figs, and more, transitioning into a high-intensity annual production garden with raised beds and no-till practices.
  • The Kent Whaley Memorial Seed Collection houses a climate-controlled seed storage managed by Doug Gosling, organizing seeds by plant families and varieties, emphasizing the importance of seed saving in preserving genetic diversity against corporate control.
  • The farm focuses on creating complex ecological systems, emphasizing probiotic approaches over antibiotic ones, promoting conditions conducive to life for all species, including humans, through diverse plantings and intentional design.
  • Forest management practices on the property involve thinning and limbing for fire resilience, creating defensible space around buildings, and utilizing grazing paddocks with goats and sheep to reduce fuel load and maintain fire breaks.
  • The farm implements integrated relational solutions, turning forest management waste into resources for erosion control and wildlife habitat, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all elements in the ecosystem.
  • The farm's sustainable practices extend to composting systems involving chickens and ducks, showcasing a holistic approach to carbon and nutrient management, with the animals contributing to the composting process and overall ecosystem health.
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