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land regeneration.
Updated Sunday, May 19th 2024
This project focuses on soil health.
There was a small area on the farm that had been chemically farmed and then experienced a loss of the majority of topsoil. The remaining land was primarily clay. Our Hugelkultur Circle Garden and Soil Health Education Project represents a holistic approach to addressing soil degradation and loss of farming areas. By showcasing sustainable gardening techniques and providing educational resources, we aim to inspire individuals and communities to adopt practices that promote soil health and environmental stewardship.
We collected dead wood from all over and built 7 large hugelkulture beds in a circle. It is surrounded by 4 small ponds that are stocked with orange carp. The ponds are spring fed and the water is returned back to the river which is a few meters away.
We employ a variety of sustainable gardening practices to nurture soil health.
These methods include:
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Composting to recycle organic waste and enrich the soil with nutrients.
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Compost tea application to introduce beneficial microorganisms and enhance soil fertility.
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No toxic chemicals, promoting natural soil and ecosystem health.
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Crop rotation to prevent soil depletion and minimize pest and disease pressures.
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Soil resting periods to allow for natural regeneration and replenishment of nutrients.
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Mulching to conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, and provide organic matter for soil microorganisms.
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No-till farming practices in the circle garden (other parts of the farm still use tillage practices) to preserve soil structure, enhance water retention, and reduce erosion.
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Microbial inoculants to boost soil microbial activity and improve nutrient cycling.
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Vermiculture beds for worm composting, enriching the soil with organic matter and beneficial microbes.
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Natural insecticides and adoption of natural pest management practices.
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Biochar/tierra preta to improve soil structure, nutrient retention, and microbial habitat.
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Cover Crops to further for soil microbial diversity and nutrient cycling. Cover crops add organic matter to the soil, suppress weeds, and improve soil structure.
We have made significant progress in implementing key components of the project. Our garden serves as a focal point for educating volunteers on sustainable gardening practices. We have constructed a large fish pond stocked with golden carp to enhance nutrient cycling and ecosystem health. Additionally, we have built seven large hugelkultur mounds within the garden, demonstrating remarkable productivity and promoting sustainable agriculture and soil conservation practices. This year we created 6 new smaller beds within the area.
Over time we hope our establishment of the Hugelkultur Circle Garden and Soil Health Education Project represents a holistic approach to addressing soil degradation and loss of farming areas. By showcasing sustainable gardening techniques and providing educational resources, we aim to inspire individuals and communities to adopt practices that promote soil health and environmental stewardship through example of restoring our own missing topsoil.
Overtime and with the right support we would love to create a learning center here that is open to the public. We invite your help to support this. We need a wood chipper to create pathways and funds for educational exhibits as well as microscope/s for studying and educationist people about soil health.
We invite your support in making this vision a reality and look forward to collaborating with you to create a healthier, more sustainable future.
Thank you.
