With the vagaries of commodity crop prices year-to-year, and the extremes in weather and rainfall that seem more normal than exceptions, it's becoming evident that farmers need more than ever to seek farming systems which offer resiliency. Diversification of farming methods and species offers this and more. In this mind-expanding workshop you can learn some of the tools available to move your farming operation toward a more stable, resilient ecosystem. And the fringe benefit can be in quality of life as it becomes easier to manage and economically as it becomes more consistently profitable.
Monoculture farming works against nature, takes more energy and inputs, and produces concentrated and often toxic wastes. Over time, resources are depleted and yields decline.
Polyculture farming systems are integrated, diverse systems which are more resilient and mimic nature. So-called wastes become resources. Ecosystems are restored and balanced. Once established, very little effort is needed to maintain the systems.
Permaculture is an approach to designing perennial agricultural systems that mimic the complex interrelationships found in nature. Many of the concepts were practiced by native people and early civilizations before agriculture discovered and became addicted to cheap fossil fuels.
Agroforestry is a way for landowners to improve the stewardship of their land for better income potential, wildlife habitat, and environmental quality. Agroforestry combines agriculture and forestry to create integrated and sustainable land-use systems and takes advantage of the interactive benefits from combining trees and shrubs and/or livestock.
A different way . . .
Wisconsin farmer Mark Shepard is a certified permaculture designer, agroforester and ecological farming consultant. He has demonstrated on his own 100-acre family farm that the principles of permaculture — long embraced by eco-minded urban gardeners — are needed in farming more now than ever. In this intensive self-paced course you will learn how to imitate nature and create a landscape that builds the health of the ecosystem over time.
Join Mark Shepard as he shares the knowledge he's gained over a lifetime of study and through the implementation of these systems on his own family's farm. Not just a theory class, you'll hear real-world advice and tips on these innovative farming systems. Whether you "go all the way," as Mark is doing, or simply introduce some new crops and diversity into your traditional farm or small acreage this workshop is certain to provide the roadmap you'll need.