<table width="600" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr></tr><tr><td height="20" bgcolor="#ffffff"><img height="1" width="600">DEAR ELI, could you present this report to the blog? Many thanks!!<br>
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<tr><td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><font color="#333333" size="2"><a href="http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/fst30years" target="_blank"><b>Truly
Sustainable Agriculture</b></a><br></font></font></td></tr><tr><td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><font color="#333333" size="2">Rodale Institute</font></font></td></tr><tr><td><br></td></tr><tr><td>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><font color="#333333" size="2"><i>Here is some very interesting good news. In the face of the
corporatization of agriculture, and the complete disconnect from the
natural processes of the earth this has led to, here is firm evidence
that the only real road to sustainable agriculture is to work in
conjunction with nature's natural cycles and processes. This shows us
that ordinary people, using none of the chemicals that are Big Agra's
hallmark can grow their own far healthier food with no recourse to the
chemicals. <br>
<br>
I recommend you go to the primary site and download the .pdf of the full
report.</i></font></font></td></tr><tr><td><br></td></tr>
<tr><td><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><font color="#333333" size="2">The hallmark of a truly sustainable system is
its ability to regenerate itself. When it comes to farming, the key to
sustainable agriculture is healthy soil, since this is the foundation
for present and future growth.<br>
<br>
Organic farming is far superior to conventional systems when it comes to
building, maintaining and replenishing the health of the soil. For soil
health alone, organic agriculture is more sustainable than
conventional. When one also considers yields, economic viability, energy
usage, and human health, it�s clear that organic farming is
sustainable, while current conventional practices are not.<br>
<br>
As we face uncertain and extreme weather patterns, growing scarcity and
expense of oil, lack of water, and a growing population, we will require
farming systems that can adapt, withstand or even mitigate these
problems while producing healthy, nourishing food. After 30 years of
side-by-side research in our Farming Systems Trial (FST)�, Rodale
Institute has demonstrated that organic farming is better equipped to
feed us now and well into the ever changing future.<br>
<br>
<br>
Fast Facts<br>
<br>
Organic yields match conventional yields.<br>
<br>
Organic outperforms conventional in years of drought.<br>
<br>
Organic farming systems build rather than deplete soil organic
matter, making it a more sustainable system.<br>
<br>
Organic farming uses 45% less energy and is more efficient.<br>
<br>
Conventional systems produce 40% more greenhouse gases.<br>
<br>
Organic farming systems are more profitable than conventional.<br>
<br>
History<br>
<br>
The Farming Systems Trial (FST)� at Rodale Institute is America�s
longest running, sideby-side comparison of organic and chemical
agriculture. Started in 1981 to study what happens during the transition
from chemical to organic agriculture, the FST surprised a food
community that still scoffed at organic practices. After an initial
decline in yields during the first few years of transition, the organic
system soon rebounded to match or surpass the conventional system. Over
time, FST became a comparison between the long term potential of the two
systems.<br>
<br>
We selected corn and soybean production as our research focus because
large tracts of land, particularly in our region and the Midwest, are
devoted to the production of these crops. Corn and soybean acreage
comprised 49% of the total cropland in the U.S. in 2007. Other grains
made up 21%, forages 22% and vegetables just 1.5%.<br>
<br>
Throughout its long history, the FST has contained three core farming
systems, each of which features diverse management practices: a
manure-based organic system, a legume-based organic system, and a
synthetic input-based conventional system. In the past three years of
the trial, genetically modified (GM) crops and no-till treatments were
incorporated to better represent farming in America today. Results and
comparisons are noted accordingly to reflect this shift.<br>
<br>
THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS<br>
<br>
Organic Manure: This system represents an organic dairy or beef
operation. It features a long rotation including both annual feed grain
crops and perennial forage crops. The system�s fertility is provided by
leguminous cover crops and periodic applications of manure or composted
manure. This diverse rotation is also the primary line of defense
against pests.<br>
<br>
Organic Legume: This system represents an organic cash grain system. It
features a mid-length rotation consisting of annual grain crops and
cover crops. The system�s sole source of fertility is leguminous cover
crops and the rotation provides the primary line of defense against
pests.<br>
<br>
Conventional Synthetic: This system represents the majority of grain
farms in the U.S. It relies on synthetic nitrogen for fertility, and
weeds are controlled by synthetic herbicides selected by and applied at
rates recommended by Penn State University Cooperative Extension. In
2008, genetically modified (GM) corn and soybeans were added to this
system.<br>
<br>
No-Till Systems: Each of the major systems was divided into two in 2008
to compare traditional tillage with no-till practices. The organic
systems utilize our innovative no-till roller/crimper, and the no-till
conventional system relies on current, widespread practices of herbicide
applications and no-tillspecific equipment.<br>
<br>
CROP ROTATIONS<br>
<br>
The crop rotations in the organic systems are more diverse than in the
conventional systems, including up to seven crops in eight years
(compared to two conventional crops in two years). While this means that
conventional systems produce more corn or soybeans because they occur
more often in the rotation, organic systems produce a more diverse array
of food and nutrients and are better positioned to produce yields, even
in adverse conditions.</font></font></td></tr></tbody></table><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>P2P Foundation: <a href="http://p2pfoundation.net" target="_blank">http://p2pfoundation.net</a>� - <a href="http://blog.p2pfoundation.net" target="_blank">http://blog.p2pfoundation.net</a> <br>
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