Thanks Parsley,
I'm glad you took my post positively, and it was definitely meant that way. Sometimes our words without expression can be misinterpreted.
I'm glad that organic is working for you, and I have no doubt that you are doing it as sustainably as possible. You definitely write here on agri-ville like you know what you're doing.
There are farmers who call themselves “organic”, as well as “conventional” farmers who are harming their soils, and doing unsustainable, and/or harmful things. I don't think you, or I fall into that category. I do know that my soils are improving in quality and productivity, even though they are far from organic.
I would also be willing to put the nutritional quality of my farms production up against anyones, but thats because I use chemicals properly and sparingly, and crops growing on my farm are healthy and productive because of it. The soils on my farm have water absorbing and holding capacities that far exceed their pre zero-till days. When you dig up a handful of that soil its full of life, and smells of the humus that has been increasing in it over time.
My grandfather sold organic bread wheat in 55 pound bags for 3 times what commodity wheat was selling for at the time. I still think I'm better off farming the way I am, and I do know that the soil is in better shape now. As far as the security blanket, sure, I'll take gov't money if it's offered, (kinda like a tax refund), but I've paid a LOT more into crop insurance than I've ever collected from it. At least this has reduced my premiums enough that my hail rider is giving me some cheaper hail insurance now.
Maybe some day we'll meet in real life, but for now, I enjoy my anonymity. Take care Parsley!
Back to my mole nest now. ;-)
FarmRanger
I'm glad you took my post positively, and it was definitely meant that way. Sometimes our words without expression can be misinterpreted.
I'm glad that organic is working for you, and I have no doubt that you are doing it as sustainably as possible. You definitely write here on agri-ville like you know what you're doing.
There are farmers who call themselves “organic”, as well as “conventional” farmers who are harming their soils, and doing unsustainable, and/or harmful things. I don't think you, or I fall into that category. I do know that my soils are improving in quality and productivity, even though they are far from organic.
I would also be willing to put the nutritional quality of my farms production up against anyones, but thats because I use chemicals properly and sparingly, and crops growing on my farm are healthy and productive because of it. The soils on my farm have water absorbing and holding capacities that far exceed their pre zero-till days. When you dig up a handful of that soil its full of life, and smells of the humus that has been increasing in it over time.
My grandfather sold organic bread wheat in 55 pound bags for 3 times what commodity wheat was selling for at the time. I still think I'm better off farming the way I am, and I do know that the soil is in better shape now. As far as the security blanket, sure, I'll take gov't money if it's offered, (kinda like a tax refund), but I've paid a LOT more into crop insurance than I've ever collected from it. At least this has reduced my premiums enough that my hail rider is giving me some cheaper hail insurance now.
Maybe some day we'll meet in real life, but for now, I enjoy my anonymity. Take care Parsley!
Back to my mole nest now. ;-)
FarmRanger
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