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Re: AGROFORESTRY and ELAINE INGHAM



Thank you, Allan, for asking me about what we do at Soil Foodweb.  I don't think  anyone who knew me would even begin to accuse me of not doing anything more than blathering on the internet.  Yes, I've planted trees this year.  We work in forest systems, and among them the fastest growing, and the slowest growing.  Although my yard could use more attention from me.....

I estimate that on potato alone this year, we worked closely with somewhere in the vicinity of 300,000 acres, where pesticides were not used, where they used to be used constantly through the growing season - herbicides, fungicides, nematicides, insecticides - were common.  Fertilizers were either not used, or reduced to just the start-up fertilizer, and that's it.  Coming out of conventional practices, there just isn't enough N in the soil to cycle, or the organisms that do that cycling are not present to do it.  So, starter fertilizer still needed in the first year, sometimes in the second as well.  But no second or third applications of N in most cases.  Typically we see 15 to 20% increases in yield, longer shelf life, and improved flavor.  In that acreage, somewhere in the vicinity of probably 100,000 acres are in the second or third year of the program.  The people to talk to are really the growers, and I can give you those folks names if you demonstrate a sincere desirI am quite certain that acreage will increase in 2003.  The person who has been the greatest strength in this has been Bruce Elliott, of EPM in Cottage Grove.  His customer service has been outstanding.  We did a tour of his clients last spring from Idaho to Nebraska to Colorado to California to Oregon where the results have been superb.  There are always things we're learning, but I think we're staying ahead of the game. 

We hear about problems, and work on what is needed to fix the situation, before anyone else runs into the problem.  Or we get folks who have bought the older brewers and are having serious problems with them.  SFI can help to get  those machines to work better. 

Many people aren't aware of the things that have been avoided because we've  worked things through first.  That's why a lack of positive, work-together communication is depressing to me.  I try hard to maintain good communication.  When other people just won't be pleasant, won't give credit where credit is due, or won't be honest about what they are doing, that's when I finally just have to give up. 

Soil Foodweb works with different people all over the world to move ahead in truly sustainable ag.  We work closely with wheat growers, grazers and pastures in Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Australia, New Zealand.   We work on cotton in California, some in Texas, Georgia (just getting going), Australia.  Vineyards everywhere, from South Africa to Maine to California. 

Golf courses....all over.  The list is ever-growing, but the way to approach the disease/compaction/weed problems in California are not the same as in New York. 
Differences in climate, soil type, and organisms that should be present based on the different cultivars of grass have to be recognized. 

We work with nursery, greenhouse, riparian and wetland systems.  We don't know everything by a long shot, but I think we're still the most successful at helping people reduce costs.  Reduce toxic chemical use.  Don't HAVE to go organic.  But we do help people reduce the cost of growing plants, while basically taking them off toxic chemicals.  Which doesn't seem to be current definition of organic, does it? 

"We" always includes local consultants, because I cannot pretend to know local weather conditions through the year and the unique aspects of local cropping.  The programs we put together need an understanding of soil, climate, landscape position, and the plant desired.  That's alot to try to understand.  But always, I work with other people, this is not a one-person show, nor a one-team show.  We work with many people.

How many hours in airplanes?  When I get on an airplane, it isn't that unusual for the flight attendants to at least recognize me.  On my way back from Australia a year or so ago, the flight attendant said to me,  "You have more frequent flyer miles than the pilots!"   And sometimes my muscles let me know that is the truth.  
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The Bio-Dynamic approach has some very interesting approaches, although not well-researched, based on the current scientific paradigm.  Trying to get a handle on energy, in it's many forms and without good ways to measure it, is difficult.  But we have to start, even if we're going at it with the energy versions of stone knives and bronze tools! 

I appreciate the support that most people have given me.  I asked for opinions about refusing to continue to communicate with someone who was just too unpleasant.  I am interested to read what people think.  I won't respond to most of them.  I've said my say on that topic, and to re-state what Geoff said, in somewhat kinder terms, "nuff said.

Elaine Ingham
President, Soil Foodweb Inc.
www.soilfoodweb.com