Cows and Permaculture

Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless labor; and of looking at plants and animals in all their functions, rather than treat any area as a single product system

 -Bill Mollison

The term Permaculture was coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 1970’s and is a hybrid of the words permanent and agriculture.    

Mollison and Holmgren developed three formal guiding ethical principles behind Permaculture.  

·         Care for the earth

·         Care for the people

·         Return of surplus

In David Holmgren's book Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability, he went on to detail twel design principles. 

 

1.       Observe and interact – This emphasizes the different perspectives in nature to understand what is going on with the various elements within this system. 

2.       Catch and store energy – Underscores the need to develop a system that collects resources when they are abundant so we can use them later in times of need.

 

Drying bananas in the sun. 

 

3.       Obtain a yield – Think of the proverb “You can’t work on an empty stomach.”  Rewards need to be had from the work that’s being done.

4.       Apply self-regulation and accept feedback – This principal deals with aspects of permaculture that limit or discourage inappropriate actions/behaviors.   Building off of what works is key to planning effectively.   

5.       Use and value renewable resources and services – We need to make the best use of nature to reduce our consumption and dependence on non-renewable resources. 

6.       Produce no waste – By valuing the resources that are available to us, nothing goes to waste. 

 

Cows not only give us dairy but they mow grass and produce manure that is used in composting.

 

7.       Design from patterns to details – This principle tells us taking a step back so we CAN see the forest for the trees.   Patterns can become the backbone of our designs.

8.       Integrate rather than segregate – By putting things in the right places, relationships can develop naturally and support existing systems. 

9.       Use small and slow solutions – Small and slowly developing systems can be easier to maintain than large ones and therefore can make better use of resources and produce sustainable outcomes. 

10.   Use and value diversity – Diversity can reduce vulnerability and takes advantage of the unique nature of our environment. 

A diverse apple orchard contains early and late flowering trees and trees that produce apples for eating and cooking.  If weather damages some trees, others may still be able to produce later on. 

11.   Use edges and value the marginal – Tells us the interaction between things  is where interesting events take place. Important things happen at intersections. 

12.   Creatively use and respond to change – We can have a positive impact on inevitable change by carefully observing and intervening at the right times. 

Why use Permaculture?

Permaculture gardens do many things by not limiting the garden to only one use.  Permaculture gardens provide food, wildlife habitations, an eye-catching appearance, and an atmosphere that can be relaxing.  Permaculture gardens can be self-sustaining and once established, needs little work. 

Some common permaculture techniques include –

• Edible gardens and companion plantings.  Vegetables, herbs, flowers and edible fruits can be grown together and when designed properly, can help to serve as natural ways to control pests.  For example, marigolds are great for deterring mosquitoes, aphids and other insects because of its strong odor.   Planting basil near tomatoes can improve flavors and repel mosquitoes. 

•  Raised beds and vertical techniques.  Raised beds can take up less space and are easily accessible.  They can also help protect your crops from wildlife such as moles and rabbits.  Vertical gardening includes growing plants on trellises or in hanging baskets.  The creativity with vertical gardening is endless.  I grow strawberries vertically in PVC pipes attached to my fending. 

• Lasagna gardening.  Rather than having to till up the soil or dig, you can use lasagna gardening to build a garden beg.  Lasagna gardening staves off weeks and can save a lot of time.  With this method, you layer materials that will decompose right in the bed.  Layering leaves, newspapers, grass clippings, coffee grounds and other materials, creates something like a typical compost pile and the heat from the sun decomposes the material naturally.

By adopting the ethics and applying these principles in our daily life we can make the transition from being dependent consumers to becoming responsible producers. This journey builds skills and resilience at home and in our local communities that will help us prepare for the future.  

Animals love fresh produce too!

Our industrialized food chain has gained a lot of attention over the last several years and locally grown food is gaining more popularity.  The average piece of food travels over 1,500 miles by the time it reaches our plates.  For each dollar we spend at the grocery store, the average farmer only keeps 9 cents of it.  Grocery stores and other middle man get the remaining 91 cents.  Industrialized farms employee on average three full time people for each $1 million in revenue it produces.  On the other hand, local farms employ 13 people per $1 million in generated revenues. 

These are some of the factors that have elevated Community Sourced Agriculture (CSA) programs to new highs.  Consumers are able to meet and get to know the farmers that grow their food and also support local programs which in turn support local economies.

So what exactly is a CSA and what are its benefits?   

A CSA connects you with a local farmer who supplies you with a box of fresh produce on a fixed schedule (i.e. weekly).  Depending upon where you live, a CSA program can last as long as 6 months.  By signing up for a CSA program, you essentially are buying a share of the farmer’s harvest.  There are many benefits to CSAs not only for the farmer but also for the consumer.  Many people have commented that joining CSAs have given them the opportunities to try produce that they may not have typically purchase in a store.  If you love to cook, getting a fresh box of produce can spur creativity in the kitchen.  In fact, some CSAs put on classes or provide recipes in their boxes.

Some CSA members find themselves feeling guilty if they don’t consume their entire box.  A good way to get past this is to donate the excess food to local food banks or even take the excess goods to your local animal shelter.  Horses, guinea pigs and even chickens enjoy some good fruits and vegetables too.  Additionally, many fruits and vegetables are able to be canned or frozen for future consumption (and dehydrated for delicious chewy dog treats). 

A share in a CSA averages about $200 to $600 at the beginning of the growing season.   Although the upside here is that you won’t have to pay again for fresh produce, there is a slight risk that you may be out the money if the farmer is unable to deliver due to unforeseen circumstances (such as damaging weather conditions).  Lots of people feel this investment is worthy as they’re given the opportunity to support local, living economies and know exactly how and where their food is being sourced. 

A new emerging trend in CSAs is also to provide artisan foods or meats in their boxes.  Many farmers themselves make cheese or artisan crafts that they sell in combination with each box.  They also partner with local butchers and other farmers to provide meats for purchase when boxes are picked up (think: one stop shopping). 

 

Why should you join a CSA?

I’ve touched on this a bit earlier but by joining a CSA you’ll be supporting your local economy.   As most CSAs require you pay at the beginning of the season, you’re essentially supporting your farmer by giving him/her the funds needed to successfully navigate through the season.  Farmers are already working with a strapped bottom line and the loyalty you'll see from them for this advance will pay itself back in dividends.  The shared risk also creates a sense of community and a rally for support for your farmer can prevail if times get tough.  Your CSA share will also will also get the freshest seasonal eats.  Because you’re picking up food that’s grown locally, you know it hasn’t been frozen and trucked thousands of miles.

Some CSAs also ask that you help out at the farm from time to time.  This gets you moving and supporting your local economy with things other than just money.  It’s also a great chance to connect with local citizens and share in one another’s values. 

CSAs share a lot of benefits and I hope you consider joining one soon!

Resources:

for finding a CSA www.localhavest.org

for canning tips www.nchfp.uga.edu

for endless recipes www.foodnetwork.com               

Save the lab rats!

Last week I wrote about studies that debunked the myth that GMO crops use fewer pesticides than other traditional farming methods.  This week I will continue to dispel GMO myths and tackle the biggest one of all…

Myth #2: GMOs are safe to eat. 

“There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects…. Multiple animal studies show significant immune dysregulation, including upregulation of cytokines [protein molecules involved in immune responses] associated with asthma, allergy, and inflammation.” – American Academy of Environmental Medicine

L-tryptophan hit the news in 1989 when it was blamed for killing several people and permanently harming hundreds of others.  L-tryptophan was produced using genetically modified bacteria and resulted in a disease called Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome (EMS).  The symptoms of EMS included overproduction of white blood cells, severe muscle pain and paralysis.  This toxic L-tryptophan was traced back to a Japanese company and although there is still debate as to whether the toxicity of L-tryptophan was due to genetic engineering or a flawed manufacturing, the FDA responded to the crisis by banning L-tryptophan.  Eventually the CDC conducted a study and concluded that only the Japanese manufacturer had an issue with toxins within its manufactured L-tryptophan.   Proponents quickly criticized the CDC stating that this same tragedy is likely to occur again because testing standards are not up to par to detect these types of toxins given the similarity and purity of the synthetic product to its non-GMO counterparts.  

A genetically modified Bt maized called StarLink was criticized in 2000 when people started to report allergic reactions.  The reports were investigated by the CDC and the CDC later ruled that the blood tests it took and studied did not provide evidence that allergic reactions were associated with StarLink.  The investigation was criticized and later reviewed by a panel convened by the EPA.  The panel pointed out that CDC researchers had made several errors in their testing and concluded that there was a “medium likelihood” that a protein within StarLink maize is an allergen. 

GMO supporters have also claimed that a major benefit of GMOs is that they are more nutritious than traditional crops.  Many studies are finding that the opposite is true and GMO crops are actually less nutritious than their counterparts.  GM rice varieties have shown nutritional deficiencies when compared with non-genetically modified counterparts (that were grown in the same conditions).  GM rice showed decreased levels of vitamin E, protein and amino acids and proved that non-genetically modified rice was superior (1). 

As I discussed last week in my blog, some GM crops are engineered to produce a form of insecticide known as Bt toxin.  In a 2012 study, genetically engineered Bt toxins were found to be toxic to human cells (2).  One specific type of Bt toxin killed human cells.  GM lobbyers responded by saying that this type of study (in vitro) did not accurately reflect what happens in a living human or living animal that eats GM Bt crops; however, other studies have found that these types of crops have had adverse effects on lab animals.  Rats fed Bt maize grew more slowly and showed higher levels of certain fats in their blood when compared to rats fed a controlled diet (3).  They also suffered problems with their livers and kidneys.  The authors state that it could not be concluded that this maize is safe and that long-term studies are needed to investigate these consequences further. 

In fact, a common defense of GMO supporters is that long-term studies do not exist. Governments around the world are not requiring these types of studies in order for us all to determine the long-term effects GMOs potentially have but currently, no long-term tests on GM crops or foods are required by regulatory authorities anywhere in the world.  Reproductive and multigenerational tests, which are necessary to discover effects of GM crops or foods on fertility and future generations, are also not required (4).  So let’s give both sides the benefit of the doubt here and say there’s enough evidence to counterbalance both sides.  Would we still want to take our chances given all the unknowns?  Is manipulating our food supply worth it given our successful history of cross-breeding plant (hybrid) methods? What about those potentially damaging environmental effects too? India, Japan, Australia and the European Union aren't taking any chances.  

(1)      Jiao Z, Si XX, Li GK, Zhang ZM, Xu XP. Unintended compositional changes in transgenic rice seeds (Oryza sativa L.) studied by spectral and chromatographic analysis coupled with chemometrics methods. J Agric Food Chem. Feb 10 2010; 58(3): 1746-1754.

(2)      Mesnage R, Clair E, Gress S, Then C, Székács A, Séralini G-E. Cytotoxicity on human cells of Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac Bt insecticidal toxins alone or with a glyphosate-based herbicide. Journal of Applied Toxicology. 15 Feb 2012.

(3)      Séralini GE, Cellier D, Spiroux de Vendomois J. New analysis of a rat feeding study with a genetically modified maize reveals signs of hepatorenal toxicity. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. May 2007; 52(4): 596–602.

(3)      Séralini GE, Mesnage R, Clair E, Gress S, de Vendômois JS, Cellier D. Genetically modified crops safety assessments: Present limits and possible improvements. Environmental Sciences Europe. 2011; 23(10).

Silly Aphids

These days it’s almost inevitable to come across news stories about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).  This controversial topic has made it into the mainstream media and many of us are unsure of what to believe these days.  

So what exactly is a GMO?  By definition, a GMO is a plan or animal that has been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses or other plants and animals. 

GMOs boast the ability to –

• Resist viruses, fungi and bacterial growth
• Grow faster than their counterparts
•  Are naturally pest resistant
• Tolerate extreme weather conditions
• Have added vitamins and minerals

This all sounds great, right? So why is this subject so controversial? Let's debunk some of the misconceptions around GMOs. 

Myth #1:  GMOs decrease pesticide use

Dr. Charles Benbrook, an agronomist, published a report using USDA data that looked into pesticide use on genetically modified crops between the years of 1996 and 2008.  The report found chemical insecticide use decreased by 64.2 million pounds on Bt maize and cotton over the 13 year period studied.  In sharp contrast, herbicide-tolerant maize, soy and cotton caused farmers to spray 383 million more pounds of herbicides than that would have done if these herbicide-tolerant seeds had not existed.  The decreased insecticide use was greatly outweighed by the increased herbicide use.

This report also showed that herbicide use on genetically modified crop fields has sharply increased.  Herbicide use on genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops rose 31.4% from 2007 to 2008.  Benbrook identified the main cause of increased pesticide use was due to the spread of glyphosate-resistant weeds.  Glyphosate, also known as Roundup, has been blamed as the cause of these super weeds as those weeds that survive being sprayed with these herbicides pass on their genes to their offspring and therefore create an increase in glyphosate resistant weeds.  Farmers have resorted to spraying more herbicides to try and control this issue but in turn are creating an even bigger issue.

Bacillus thuringienus, or Bt, is a bacteria that lives within the soil and is commonly used as a biological pesticide.  Since 1996 plants have been modified with Bt genes with the intention of having plants be able to produce proteins to protect themselves pest without synthetic pesticide sprays.  Bt was created to combat bugs so, again, this is good right? Not quite….

A study(1) from China on GM Bt insecticidal cotton have showed that GM Bt technology is failing due to increasing issues with secondary pests.  Researchers found that more pesticides were needed over time to control emerging secondary pests such as aphids and spider mites.  GM Bt insecticidal crops have Bt present in all of their cells for their entire lifetime.  This exposes pests to the toxin and is different from traditional insecticides that are sprayed as those are meant to target pests for a brief period of time.  Exposure to something over a long period of time can create an immunity and that immunity is generally passed off to offspring.

Many studies support the damaging effects of pesticides on our aquatic ecosystems and quality of our soil.  These valuable natural resources feed and support us.  They provide some of us with employment and give some of us hobbies we fully enjoy.  Pesticides have also been linked to a wide range of health issues ranging from headaches to cancer.  Evidence that exposure to pesticides can damage our endocrine systems continues to emerge.  This endocrine disruption can case infertility, birth defects, impair brain development and cause behavior disorders.  Ingesting food that has been exposed directly to these pesticides increases our risks for developing negative health consequences.  GMOs give us even more direct access.  In next week’s blog, I will continue to dispel myths regarding GMOs in hopes to provide more clarity around this issue.  

(1)    Zhao JH, Ho P, Azadi H. Benefits of Bt cotton counterbalanced by secondary pests? Perceptions of ecological change in China. Environ Monit Assess. Feb 2010; 173(1-4): 985-994.

Flight of the Bumblebee

I’ve been tasked this quarter to blog about a topic of deep interest to me.  There are a lot of things I feel passionate about and my dilemma became which topic to choose.  Should I discuss the downfalls of our financial industry?  Should I take a deep dive into animal welfare and rights?  The self-esteem issues our beauty industry promotes is disturbing and maybe I could shed more light why that industry needs to improve?  After much deliberation, I decided this quarter I will focus on the importance of organic gardening and farming. 

Why organic gardening and farming?  Well it mostly comes down to the importance of healthy and nutritious food.  Food fuels us and access to healthy and nutritious food is a cornerstone to our well-being and development.  Studies have shown that “traditional” farming methods that the use pesticides and synthetic fertilizers affect our food's nutrition and are also harmful to our environment and disrupt beneficial eco-systems.  Organic farming and home gardening represent a deeper respect for the soil and plants as it focuses on using natural solutions to control issues that we so commonly look towards bottled products to solve.   

So let me give you a little taste of the type of topics I plan to cover…

Pesticide use became popular as it is a means to control insects that damage our food crops.  But what about all those beneficial insects that get caught up in the pesticide crossfire?

Have you ever stopped to watch a bumble bee buzzing around in a flower?  Have you ever noticed that when it comes out, it’s covered with little specks of pollen? It’s actually kind of cute to the fuzzy little thing covered in the fruits of its labor.  We've all heard about the decline in bee populations through some sort of news source but what does this all mean?  Why should everyone be concerned about the disappearance bees? The simple answer is because we all need to eat.

All the experts agree that the decline in bee populations have had a devastating effect on the agricultural industry.  According to the USDA, bees pollinate 80 percent of flowering crops that make up 1/3 of everything we eat.  Losing bees would not only affect common foods such as apples, broccoli, strawberries, nuts, asparagus, blueberries and cucumbers, but may threaten our beef and dairy industries if alfalfa is not available for feed.  Although multiple causes are sited, most of the experts agree that pesticides have at a minimum added to the decline of bee colonies (also known as Colony Collapse Disorder).  In fact the European Union has seen enough evidence to support the damaging effects of pesticide use on bees and recently banned the use of certain types of pesticides.   

The use of pesticides and how they harm bees is quite complex.  Studies conducted by the European Food Safety Administration (EFSA) found that pesticides frequently appear in the nectar and pollen of plants. Bees not only have to fear being sprayed by pesticides but also have to fear ingesting these chemicals via their food supply as well.  The research shows that pesticides damages a bee’s ability to return to its hive, decreases the number of queens that a hive breeds each year, and increases a bee’s susceptibility to disease.  All of these factors have led to the 50% drop in honeybee numbers in the last quarter century.

So what can we do as individuals to help bees? Mother Nature Network lays out a great plan to help make your life a bit more bee friendly.  These simple things are great ways to increase our reliance on organic gardening and less so on those toxic methods currently being practiced.  

Save the bees! 

No, seriously, save the bees! 

Can a leopard change its spots?

As I sit here wrapping up my first quarter of grad school at Bainbridge Graduate Institute, I’m almost at a loss for works.  I’m having difficulty putting my thoughts down because my head feels like a tornado has been unleashed and my thoughts are flying around waiting to land at the first sign of peace.  This quarter has taken me on many journeys and I’m proud to say that I finished this quarter with a new outlook on life.  My expectations for the quarter have been far surpassed and the inspiration I’m feeling has become contagious.  I’ve surrendered to the unique experience that is BGI and I am committed to making this experience more than just getting a master’s degree.  

So what has me so jazzed? One of the core principles BGI embodies is the need for change. I've always been an advocate for change and I've always felt this world could be better if change was more readily accepted.  Despite the stereotypes around my chosen professions, I thrive in change.  I love the feeling of trying something new or challenging the habits and beliefs we hold as sacred.  Why do so many people struggle with change even when it’s desperately needed? To me it all comes down to the desired feeling of security.  There’s a fear of the unknown when it comes to change and that puts people outside of their comfort zone.  BGI has taught me to be comfortable with the ambiguity that change can sometimes create.  Sacrificing the desire to always feel secure is a small expense in making this world a better place.  

The beauty of each BGI intensive is the opportunity for multiple types of learning.  One of my favorite parts of the intensives is the Change Agent in Residence (CAIRs) talks.  The personal stories, heartfelt passion and knowledge these individuals impart on us in amazing.  Michael Kanter taught me that staying true to your core values is an invaluable asset.  Steve Butcher showed me that for-profit businesses can have compassion as a mission.  Mirran Raphael reminded me mentorship is incredibly powerful and a lifelong journey.  Jeff Mendelsohn encouraged me to live in a world of possibilities and not one of limitations.  Seeing change in action and hearing of its success creates an environment in which we are set up for nothing but success.  

This quarter has opened my eyes and made me see what assumptions I've made about the business world.  I wasn't expecting to be so inspired by all the negativity that our current economic system has created.  I know that sounds a bit bizarre but I feel like a fire has been lit under me.  For a while I've felt a bit of hopelessness about the world we've been living in but I failed to be able to put words to it.  Through the readings, videos, and lectures I've been partaking in, I now have a voice for these feelings.  This world is destined for change and to be part of this paradigm shift we so desperately need is an opportunity I feel nothing but gratitude towards.  This hopelessness is no longer feeling as such but feeling more like empowerment instead. 

Another key learning opportunity for me this quarter was the work with the Chicken Sweaters on our group project.  Working with Julia, Liz, Maren and Brittany has taught me to value those tough moments and difficult conversations that need to be had.  The process of team work is just as valuable as the product that is created.   The complexity and dynamics of human relationships are fundamental to understanding our potential within this world and enacting change.  BGI enables us to co-create an educational process that will keep us on a path of lifelong learning and having the skills to work in teams is essential.  

I have a deep appreciation for BGI and how it forces me to reflect.  I don’t often reflect on my actions, learnings and experiences and I've really come to value the opportunities for it.  Working with faculty, guest speakers and my cohort is a transformational process and it’s important to me to get the most out of this experience.  Our cohort is amazing and when I think of the possibilities ahead of us all, I can't help but be excited.  We have several CAIRS with in our group already and the passion we all share for changing this world is nothing short of inspirational.  They say a leopard cannot change its spots but are we sure?   

The Song of the Grasshopper

money

noun, often attributive \ˈmə-nē\
: something (such as coins or bills) used as a way to pay for goods and services and to pay people for their work

“Today we associate money with the profane, and for good reason. If anything is sacred in this world, it is surely not money. Money seems to be the enemy of our better instincts, as is clear every time the thought “I can’t afford to” blocks an impulse toward kindness or generosity. Money seems to be the enemy of beauty, as the disparaging term “a sellout” demonstrates. Money seems to be the enemy of every worthy social and political reform, as corporate power steers legislation toward the aggrandizement of its own profits. Money seems to be destroying the earth, as we pillage the oceans, the forests, the soil, and every species to feed a greed that knows no end.” –Charles Eisenstein, Sacred Economics

 

It’s no surprise that as a CPA and a Banker, my life is riddled with money.  I measure it, report on it, forecast it, budget it, and spend it.  Yield curves, present values, bond prices, and interest rates rule my world.  What do all these things really mean?  Why do we value money the way they do? How do our views and assumptions of money affect our behaviors? These questions and more have been flowing through my mind a lot lately.  My BGI experience has given me a new outlook on the meaning and purpose of money and I dare say a rug has been pulled out from underneath me.   

I recently was tasked with reading a powerful book, Sacred Economics by Charles Eisenstein, which traced the history of money from ancient economies to modern day capitalism.  Money has had a profound impact on our civilization and shaped us in more negative ways then we care to admit.Reading this book left me feeling depressed but hopeful for the future.  Without fundamentally changing our assumptions around money and the pedestal we place money on, economic turmoil is bound to happen again.  

One of the most profound points within this book, and one that I've also heard from many of my classmates, is the idea of bringing back gifting and bartering.  When you give a gift with no strings attached or trade goods and services, trust within our fellow human beings flourishes.  This trust binds communities and strengthens relationships.  Einstein states that “Community is not some add-on to our other needs, not a separate ingredient for happiness along with food, shelter, music, touch, intellectual stimulation and other forms of physical and spiritual nourishment.  Community arises from the meeting of these needs.”  Why is it that each house in our neighborhood owns a lawn mower that is only used for 10 hours each summer?  Why has it become so normal to value the goods we purchase just as much (if not more than) as the relationships we value?  We've become a society that focuses more and more on our individual needs and not the needs of our communities.  Imagine a world where community evolves naturally from our actions and supports and values its members equally.  Imagine the feelings you have when you spend time with loved ones during the holidays and the joy you feel from their care, love and support.  What if you could feel that more often?

Trust is the crux of our relationships with friends, family, doctors, co-workers, political leaders and everyone we interact with.  Without trust the true purpose of relationships ceases to exist and we truly can’t get to where we’re trying to go.   An absence of trust creates dysfunction and enables an environment in which productivity and happiness cannot prosper.  No matter how you slice it, trust plays a fundamental role within our lives and money can damage that trust.    

The great thing about Eisenstein’s book was that he makes suggestions for alternative practices that will “fix” our broken economy, help to redeploy the community spirit and invigorate the respect that is needed for the well-being of our planet.   Although some of the concepts were hard to wrap my head around, such as negative-interest, I was truly inspired by his ideas.   He helped me to envision a different type of economy where life is a bit more simplistic and relationships are more meaningful and less superficial.

The underlying theme of Sacred Economics is very similar to other articles, videos and books I've been exposed to at BGI.  My eyes and ears are awaiting more.  I have a new view of the negative effects our money system has and seeing things more in this light has given me clarity I wouldn't have expected.  This student grasshopper is changing and the chirps I make will be much more meaningful going forward.