from Hacker News

Agroforestry and Permaculture offer a solution to rising fertilizer/water costs

by justaman on 5/2/22, 1:42 PM with 3 comments

  • by justaman on 5/2/22, 1:42 PM

    "New Forest Farm is a planned conversion of a typical row-crops grain farm into a commercial-scale, perennial agricultural ecosystem using oak savanna, successional brushland and eastern woodlands as the ecological models. Trees, shrubs, vines, canes, perennial plants and fungi are planted in association with one another to produce food (for humans and animals), fuel, medicines, and beauty. Hazelnuts, chestnuts, walnuts and various fruits are the primary woody crops. The farm is entirely solar and wind powered and farm equipment is capable of being powered with locally produced biofuels." - https://www.forestag.com/pages/mark-shepard
  • by justaman on 5/2/22, 1:59 PM

    Mark uses the natural landscape and small man made ponds and swales to move water throughout the farm.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBRnPcZ8xUo

    In hindsight, this may have been the better video to post.

  • by justaman on 5/2/22, 1:48 PM

    Mark Shepard uses no fertilizer beyond the animal droppings produced on his farm as the animals eat the low hanging or fallen fruit.