[Terrapreta] Article link

[Jim Joyner]

Lou,

I don't know exactly how to go about it but we should get more
representation here from both the Bio Dynamics and Permaculture folks.

The Bio Dynamics people are some of the best soil analysts on the face
of the planet (I wouldn't give you $.20 for most to the gov't soil
scientists. They tend to brain-washed or bought). The Permaculture folks
have dreamed up some of the most innovative ways imaginable to be both
productive and planet-caring . I don't belong to either group but I
borrow a lot from both.

No-till as it is officially described and practiced can be pretty ho-hum
stuff, but that's because of who has the bully pulpit: the universities
and their financiers (typically, chemical companies). The fact is, there
are people in the field who are doing little known and grand things, in
terms of both productivity and the environment, that are decades out in
front.

So, I'm suggesting not only that we bring these groups into the TP
community to learn form them but, possibly, encourage them to experiment
with TP, to find ways to use it that will be both productive and
environmentally sound.

Jim

lou gold wrote:
> Good capture here. The writers are no-till advocates who understand 
> the value of soil.
> I have several thoughts/questions.
>
> 1) It would be good for some TP folks here to contact these guys and 
> start a friendly conversation.
> We need to get TP thinking into the consciousness of the agriculurists 
> of the US Midwest.
> As the crazy craze for corn ethanol shows, this sector is critically 
> important globally. For example, their decision to shift from planting 
> soybeans to mostly corn was one of the largest factors in restarting 
> massive deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon. They don't have a 
> ripple effect, it's more of a tsunami. Imagine what might happen if 
> they became TP enthusiasts.
>
> 2) Can TP technology work with no-till? Please excuse my ignorance.
>
> 3) It is REALLY good to see them attack tree-planting as a panacea. As 
> a major tree-hugger myself, I can assure you that in reality 
> tree-planting holds much more hype than hope.
>
> best to all,
>
> lou
>