Holistic-natural agriculture and the permaculture system as ecological alternative for agriculture

1. Agricultural ecosystem

The design below is explained in detail in the text below.

2. The current situation

Through advanced mechanization, specialization and rationalization after the second world war agriculture developed to be based on highly specialized intensive cultivation with monocultures and mass animal farming. The specific parts of subareas of agriculture were seperated from each other. This brought short term economical advantages because the productivity could be raised immensely.

However it was also the start of all the problems with modern agriculture, like overproduction, falling prices, rural depopulation, and also ecological problems like erosion, pollution of water by pestizides, rests of pestizides in food, species fading and more and more devastating diseases because of intensive mass animal  farming. Nowadays farmers have to spend far more money for pestizides, fertilizer and seeds because of the often overly cultured plants. Many small farmers especially in the US and the third world are because of their dependence and the constantly rising prices close to ruin.

Because of the specialization on mostly only one culture on fields that are becoming bigger and bigger the climate conditions have changed, and increasing risk of  diseases and pests increased the risk of failed harvests. This increases the need for more pestizides, which in turn disturbed the balance of useful bugs or insects and pests. This led to the appearance of new pests. A well known example are spider mites, which only became a problem for agriculture when chemical pestizides were started to be used regularly.

This intensive use of monocultures led to a severe species fading in flora and fauna and created a monotonous landscape that is very unattractive for humans. It is part of the reason for the bad image of agriculture. The consumer rightfully questions the quality of his food. In the end the use of pestizides is also  unhealthy for the consumer.  All this leads to the wish for a more sustainable and healthier way of producing fruits, grain and vegetables. One possible solution is to change away from monocultures and move towards implementing permaculture and holistic-natural agriculture.

3. The implementation of permaculture and holistic-natural agriculture

The system we designed is implemented and used on an area of around 6 hectares. It is supposed to help with understanding and developing ecological agriculture to help combat the previously named problems more effectively in the future. For this we are testing, implementing and improving methods for the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, grain and livestock farming. We are focussing especially on these areas:

• methods of tillage
• increasing the soil fertility
• selection of varieties, cultivation of better adapted regional varieties
• strengthening of the plants
• symbioses and synergy effects of mixed cultures and combination of livestock farming with field farming
• production and storing of seeds
• projects for imporved regional marketing and production conditions

The mostly utilized technique of fighting the symptoms of pests, diseases and nutrient deficiency does not offer a sustainable perspective. The focus should more be on cooperation with nature and environment, so that we only have to minimally intervene to regulate the agricultural ecosystem.

We also want to develop opportunities to sensibilize consumers in regards to tolerance towards imperfect bioproducts and a better appreciation of health aspects instead of optics. Part of our tests are also innovative marketing strategies for regional and ecological products.

4. Mixed agriculture

Mixed agriculture like it was common before intensive agriculture took over is a system that connects economy and ecology and consists of many different elements. Thie idea is to have a closed operation cycle within one business. Livestock farming and work intensive agricultures like herbs, berries and vegetables are close to  the homestead. Subsequently following are orchards. The grass that is growing under the trees can be used to feed the animals. Further away are fields, meadows and  pastures and after that the forest. There are many examples how a system like this can be advantagous.  For example chickens that have access to the orchards can loosen the ground by scratching, fertilize the soil with their excrements and eat pests like the maggots of cherry fruit flies and others and are therefore an effective means to protect plants. In turn the trees provide some protection from predatory birds. Allowing the animals to move freely in a more natural environment improves their health and wellbeing and also provides for a part of their needs in regards to food. Holistic-natural agriculture builds on the principles of mixed agriculture. It improves traditional knowledge with new technologies and methods. Our goal is to implement an ecologic, sustainable and efficient agriculture.

5. Effects and function of holistic-natural agriculture

Holistic-natural agriculture builds on the principle of humus management, an operation cycle that is as closed as possible and a holisitc approach in regards to plant protection. This includes avoiding chemical and synthetical pestizides and fertilizers. Instead of the now normal monocultures we bring different sectors of  agriculture together on the same area and therefore build a bigger unit that is more than just the sum of all its parts. The synergy between orchards, fields, pastures, woods and livestock has clear advantages over onesided intensive monocultures. This holistic-natural concept requires comprehensive knowledge about agriculture and gardening. Specialists in the different areas should cooperate with each other and work together in a community with a suitable framework.
 
A major difference to the conventional methods is to focus on avoiding problems or solve them in a sustainable and lasting way instead of "fighting" them. Of special importance are for example measures to strengthen the plants own resistances. Through the selection of suitable varieties, soil and cultures we can achieve a healthy  plant growth, symbioses can be used to prevent pests, diseases and leaching of the soil.
 
In addition to economic aspects like regional supply, processing and refining of the products this concept can also be used to create a living room and genetical reservoir for rare animal and plant varieties. To achieve this we are also working on building a seed bank to preserve this important cultural heritage for coming generations. We also want to meet the regional and personal demand for valuable fruit and vegetable varieties, which is why we are engaged in preserving orchards in the region and in distributing seeds and knowledge for people who are interested or want to live self-sufficiently.
 
For this goal we are working closely together with other initiatives like the "Arche Noah e.V." in Austria. To achieve deeper knowledge about the effects of a  holistic-natural agriculture a comprehensive study about the reciprocal influence of the different factors is necessary, which can take years. A major focus of future research would be the testing of different plant varieties under different conditions and the research of alternative plant protection measures (like for example the  effects of symbioses between selected plants). Furthermore there is a pressing need to further research correlations between soil characteristics and plant health and of course correlations between food quality and our health. What should also be studied are the effects of holistic-natural agriculture on plant and animal diversity, groundwater level, soil and water quality and its recreational value.

6. Description of the system and its different areas

Introduction

To implement the principles of holistic-natural agriculture we designed a system that combines all elements of agriculture and gardening. The layout consists of two parts: Orchards and stripes of fields that lie between them. One part of the orchards is used as a genetical reservoir to preserve and demonstrate different varieties, the other much bigger part is primarly used for commercial horticulture. The fields in between are used for commercial and experimental cultivation of vegetables and crops.
 
The system constists of multiple U-shaped plots in North-South direction (see design above). The tree and field stripes are connected with roads to make them easily and efficiently reachable. Depending on the demand this pattern can include all elements of agriculture and the size of the plots can be varied according to the economic focus. Because of the creation of microclimates and wind protection strips plants can thrive better.

Orchards

The trees have to be planted in offset double rows to achieve optimal light irradation and use of sun energy. Additionally hedges of wild fruits and berries can complement the tree rows. This acts as an effective protection against erosion and prevents the sinking of the groundwater level. Because the U-shape is open to the south the sun can shine on the fields in between the tree rows unobstructed, which creates warm, wind protected microclimates. This supports the cultivation of sun loving fruits like peach and apricot, and it improves the conditions for vegetable cultivation. To prevent failed harvest because of climate extremes, pests or diseases every tree row should consist of at least two different kinds of tree that have high resistances by nature. Different trees with different types of growth provide living room for many animals, and wild flowers and herbs under the tree rows increase the biological variety. Additionally the tree rows can be used to produce mulching material. It's important that areas are worked on alternatingly so that also cut sensitive flowering plants can thrive and are present in the area for the whole growing period.
 
It would be interesting to research reciprocal effects and symbioses between useful plants and accompanying plants, the effects and differences of living mulch covers, different mulching materials and nutrient addition through the leaves of the trees.

Soil fertility

For vegetables and field fruits the main focus is on building a healthy, humus rich soil with high water storage capacity to reduce the effects of climate fluctuations. Human interventions in the ecosystem of the soil can impair its function as a living room for a large amount of plants and animals, as balancing body in the water cycle and as a buffer for harmful substances. Support for soil animals and microorganisms is necessary for the creation of humus and for the nutrient supply for plants. They also mix and loosen the upper soil layer.

Different methods for improving and working the soil should be tested. We want to examine the principle "healthy soil - healthy plants - healthy animals - healthy humans". We have special interest in methods like conservative soil treatment that uses plows that don't turn the soil around and therefore protect and boost life processes of soil animals.
 
In addition to commercial vegetable cultivation we also want to experiment with mixed cultures. Promoting a great plant diversity is one of the basic principle of  holistic-natural agriculture. This big diversity helps preventing bigger losses from pests and diseases. To test the function and effects of mixed cultivation it should be first tested in a small scale. If the tests are successful the method can then be also used for commercial cultivation.
 
Especially resistant plants can be developed by carefully selecting plants that are best suited for the soil and climate conditions in the region, the vitalization of the seeds and choosing the perfect time for sowing. It's important to combine plants that can symbioses with each other. For example plants that need a lot of nutrients, like maize or sunflowers, can be combined with legumes like beans. This way one plant is supplied with nitrogen and can be used by the other as a climbing aid.
 
Especially interesting and important is the examination of symbioses that are suitable to fend off pests, which can reduce the use of pestizides considerably. A well known example is the symbiosis between carrot and onion. Carrots expel onion flies, while onions expel carrot flies. To make working on the field more efficient the plants should be planted in rows. To supply the plants constantly with nutrients, reduce the growth of weeds and protect from drought and erosion one should renew the mulching material between the plant rows regularly. Voles can be fended off with suitable preparations and the selection of special mulching material. To be examined is the the cost difference because of different expenditures of time, work and costs in regards to maintenance, watering, plant protection and harvest.

Livestock

For livestock we want to use, among others, the sheep race Shropshire. This race is especially suitable for landscape care and orchards, because these sheep will almost only eat grass, which spares trees and suppresses the growth of weeds. Because of their gentle nature they are soil-friendly and the nutrient content of the soil is improved by their excrements. Other advantages are less damage by mice and cheap and reliable landscape care. The sheep are being used for the production of meat, milk, cheese and wool.
 
A suitable chicken race is the "Thüringer Barthuhn". These chickens can reproduce by themselves are are giving eggs even in winter without an additional light. The animals should be kept alternately in several fenced off enclosures. Effects and uses of keeping chickens on orchards as well as the optimal number of chickens per square meter and other potentially suitable races have to be examined further.

Biodiversity

Building an apiary is indispensable for a holistic system and an important contribution to biodiversity. To allow important useful plants to accomodate to the local conditions it is imperative to build a "mother plants garden" and a seed bank. A tree school is useful to preserve a variety of fruit trees. Over time a wide range of useful plants can be built and presented to visitors and people who are interested.
 
Unfortunately environmentally friendly and future oriented cultivation methods are not profitable on todays markets, at least not in the short term. Nevertheless we are convinced that these methods will become necessary. It is a fact that todays production methods calculate with only a part of the actual costs. Costs that emerge from environmental damage and its consequences, like forest dying, climate extremes, environmental disasters, declining soil fertility and erosion are not calculated and will be the burden of the coming generations. Holistic-natural agricultural is more sustainable, more efficient and cheaper than conventional cultivation methods in a long term scenario.

7. Conclusion

Our goal is to implement a cheaper and more environmentally friendly cultivation method that is able to compete with conventional production methods. In the future we want to work together with schools, high schools and universities and especially with researchers. Ideally we want to work together on site to bring practice and theory together, like it is done in the "Working group for research of biological-dynamic agriculture" in Switzerland that consists mostly of farmers. We hope that our project will encourage others to follow our example and examine the possibilities of holistic-natural agriculture to also be able to support each other and exchange new knowledge and to find ways to be more responsible in our use of our resources.