This post was submitted by Earthboundgrowth@healthkicker While it's no secret that organic things are the best for you, and the environment, it's not really well known that organic methods are the main centerpiece of micro farming. When people think of farming, they're thinking large-scale industrial farms in the hands of gigantic corporations. When presented with the idea of micro-farming (farming on five acres or less) one's given no reason to think it'll be any different. Truth is it's very hard not to be organic considering how expensive a lot of industrial farm methods are. The real benefit of micro farming is that anyone can do it and it puts your land to use and benefits nature…therefore your health too!
In today's world, our health and what we eat has become increasingly important. The U.S. is not alone in high food prices and considering the revelation that high energy prices have brought us and will probably continue to bring, many people, including myself see the draw of growing most of our own food.
Okay, so it's organic and we can all do it right? But is there anything that makes it particularly good for you? In our growing world of couch potatoes, this is probably the thing that people usually either realize first or last. It takes work. Of course your own methods will define how much work it is. Which brings us to another reason why it's good for you: micro farming allows room for as much creativity as you want. It's not just a way to make sure what you eat is good for you, but can also be used as a form of expression and exercise for the mind. Some of us really need a lot of mental exercise! I don't know if there can ever be such a thing as too much thinking and creativity.
And finally, anything you grow or raise will contribute to nature provided you don't use a lot of chemicals. Plants will breathe in carbon dioxide and improve the air for you and other living things around you. It’ll enrich the soil, which will improve the health of insects, microbes and in extension anything else that gets its food from the plants (including you!). There are also reasons that suggest when provided with fresh foods to cook meals with, people will naturally acclimate to healthier dishes.
Do you know about micro farming? If given the opportunity, would you micro farm for organic foods? Why or Why not?
Comments (7)
yes, when I'm home enough to do it. We've got all this lovely fertilizer from our hobby - horses. Some has to be hauled away, but we've definitely enriched every bit of our 4 acres. Sadly, my husband never saw a fruit or veggie at which he wouldn't turn up his nose. That means the rest is all mine, however. :)
There have been years when work kept us so busy it wasn't do-able. Those were the dark years.
My mom does microfarming. Very, very micro. Hahahaha. She has a whole plethora of vegetables in the backyard. Sometimes, though, deer come and eat our veggies and we get mad. Hahahah.
Luckily, "nano" gardening is an option when you live in the city with no backyard and limited space. =D I suggest starting small and just keeping a few pots of small herbs on the back porch/balcony, windowsil or whereever there is lots of sunlight. To make it simplier, you can even grow seedlings directly from kitchen scraps or dry pantry items! For example, I am currently "nano" gardening a pot of green onions (scallions), garlic, mint, and random (i believe toxic to cattle) plant.
Here are some of my tips for kitchen scrap/pantry gardening:
1. green onion: a common herb used in asian cuisine. simply buy the green onion from the market and cut off the green parts leaving about 2 inches of white with the roots at the base. soak roots in water for a few days being sure to change the water. when new growth appears, transfer to a pot with soil. Simple!
2. garlic: separate a few garlic cloves from the bunch and stick in to soil. water occasionally
3. dried beans: soak overnight and stick into soil. random things sprout! I once planted a nice bush of green beans from pinto beans....
we have a mini-dairy where we are raising Nigerian dwarf goats. We are only on 3 lots and our neighbor across the street have 4 lots and they let us keep our goats over at their place in return for them eating their weeds and grass!
Having miniature farm animals is a great way to get organic foods (and fertilizer) on a smaller piece of land and budget. We are wanting to get our organic garden going again next Spring. I really enjoy eating what I have grown or had a hand in producing.
I'd love to start my own veggie garden.
Too bad I live in a second floor apartment :(
That dream will have to wait.
I would, but I am herbicidal. The only thing I ever grew with any success was rosemary, but then my cat ate it soooo....I would love to, but I'd have a garden full of dead things.
YES! I would love it. My family lives in the country and has a huge garden every year, plus we used to have a mini farm. I love it. I'm in the city right now but plan someday to have my own little garden :D It's so much healthier and better for everyone and everything!