Miscellaneous 1
What makes a soil feel gritty?
Sand
What is the one thing Ray Achuleta would like to see all across America?
Keep the soil covered. Make America Green. (Cover crops)
What are 3 things to consider when deciding on land to grow crops?
Access, security, aspect & slope, soil type, air drainage, wind protection, water source
What are advantages of direct seeding?
It is fast, no transplant shock, no root damage
Why does Becky favor white oak trees in her forests?
They are a native species with high value wood.
When growing transplants what happens if the plants don't have enough light?
They become "leggy" with long, thin, weak stems.
How did Ray Achuleta describe the soil in a conventional agriculture field?
Naked, hungry, thirsty, and running a fever
In Iowa, what are south slopes good for and what are north slopes good for?
South slopes are good for early spring crops or crops that benefit from extra heat. North slopes are good for fruit crops with early spring blooms that could be damaged by a frost.
What are advantages of transplanting?
Head start on season and on weeds, uniform stand and uniform harvest, less time in the field, no need to thin, easier to give ideal conditions for germination.
Why do new oak trees not grow in a mature forest?
They need more light. The forest floor of a mature forest is too shaded.
Apply the science of consciousness principle of Unity in Diversity to the definitions of regenerative agriculture
Diversity is an important part of regenerative agriculture and that diversity fits within the unity of the whole agricultural ecosystem of a farm
What is the most important thing for a farmer to change, to improve his farming system?
Mindset
Why is air drainage important in the location of a field?
Good air drainage can lessen danger of late spring or early fall frosts.
What are advantages and disadvantages of a paper pot transplanter.
Advantages: It is very fast compared to hand transplanting. It works on a scale that makes it useful for small farms.
Disadvantages: It requires well tilled soil. It requires purchase of the paper pots. It is expensive to purchase.
What allowed oak trees to become established in the past, to create today's mature oak forests?
Fire set back other shade tolerant trees to allow the oak seedlings to grow.
Why is it a myth that we need conventional agriculture to feed the world?
Most conventional farm land is used to feed cattle or supply industry (ethanol), not to feed people. 70% of the food in the world is grown by small farms. Conventional agriculture is degrading the soil, which will soon make it unsuitable for growing food.
How does regenerative agriculture sequester carbon?
It increases organic matter in the soil and organic matter is contains a lot of carbon.
What makes soil feel slippery or sticky?
Clay
What types of crops are best direct seeded? Give at least 2 examples.
Crops with close spacing, crops with a deep taproot or are slow to re-grow damaged roots, crops with rapid germination & growth or that mature quickly, low value crops.
Why is Becky pleased with the mulberry tree in her forest?
It is a red mulberry, which is the native species, not the invasive white mulberry.
What are at least 4 practices of regenerative agriculture?
Diversity; minimize disturbance (tillage/chemicals), keep soil covered; living roots in the ground as much as possible; incorporate animals; promote soil biology; fertility through biology (manure, compost, cover crops, microbiology)
What did Ray Achuleta mean when he said "All is One"
Everything in an agroecosystem and beyond is connected to everything else.
What are 2 things related to water that are important to consider on a piece of land?
Soil drainage, high water table, flooding potential, availability of irrigation water, potential for contaminated water flowing onto the land.
What types of crops are best to transplant? Give at least 2 examples.
Crops with a long growing season or that need an early start, crops that take a long time to germinate, high value crops, crops in a tight rotation, crops where uniform spacing or maturity is important.
Becky is doing what Ray Achuleta said is the goal of farming. What is that?
Mimic Nature