Re: [Fwd: No-till (Formerly FW: Farmers Part of the Global

Bargyla Rateaver (brateaver@earthlink.net)
Mon, 24 May 1999 14:22:07 -0700

Sticking my nose in where not asked and where it does not belong !! Whatever sustainable
means, is nothing. Anything goes. The most wicked chemical users want their way to be
sustainable too.
Since the earth was designed by the Creator, only He has the right to decide what is the
right way to take care of it. What kind of tools do you think people had 6000 yrs ago, when
Eden was closed out and nothing but thorns and thistles was available? Compost we know from
that long ago time, and use of manure. Some kind of plow, yes, because mentioned, but
certainly not a metal behemoth that smells horrible and figures everything in its path is
for it to smash.

If we really, truly want to know the right way, we make sure to pass the tests that open the
door to the restored Eden. Then and there, will be no hard work to grow food, no massive or
even not massive tools, just easy.

Steve Groff wrote:

> Floyd Johnson wrote:
>
> > We are always talking about black and white which one is right. Does any
> > one think maybe gray is the right answer? Steve mentioned that the
> > moldboard plow has done a lot of damage, but is our only alternative
> > No-Till? Could a shallow disking do the job? Just curious!
>
> Floyd,
> Glad you asked for this clarification. Anything less than a moldboard plow is a step in
> the right direction. Adding to what Fred Magdoff said, we have quite an array of tillage
> tools now that do a specific job when it comes to tillage. You as a farmer need to be
> creative with the machinery at your disposal and the cropping system you are working
> with. Shallow disking certainly is better than plowing, but there might be times when
> deep narrow tillage (zone till) is more appropriate. To me, the key is leaving as much
> residue on the surface as you can. Think of tillage in the same way you think of using
> chemicals. Why am I using it? Is there a more natural way? Do the benefits outweigh the
> disadvantages? What long term affects (good or bad) am I creating? Why do you need to
> till in the first place?
>
> I really like your questions Floyd. To me it's the same as saying, "We are always
> talking about black and white which one is right. Does any one think maybe gray is the
> right answer? Chemicals have done a lot of damage, but is our only alternative Organics?
> Could sustainable agriculture do the job? Just curious!
>
> Steve Groff
> --
> "Enhancing the Environment" www.cedarmeadowfarm.com
> Cedar Meadow Farm
> 679 Hilldale Rd
> Holtwood PA 17532 USA Ph. 717-284-5152
>
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