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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Sustainable farming seeks to sustain farmers, resources, and communities by promoting farming practices and methods that are profitable, environmentally sound, and good for communities.
Large-scale sustainable farming is needed now more than ever. Industrialized farming has destroyed biodiversity, freshwater resources, and land stewardship. Our mission is to provide a modern approach to large-scale farming by creating a biodiverse, mixed-use agricultural plan for the Grand Valley State University Sustainable Agriculture Project.
ISSUES WITH INDUSTRIAL FARMING
Global
Global
Machinery, Pesticides
National
National
Soil Fertility, Water
Local
Local
Biodiversity, Migrant Work
GLOBAL ISSUES
MACHINERY
MACHINERY
Heavy equipment can cause serious environmental degradation. The machinery required for industrial farming releases large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. Another issue is the compaction of soil. These machines create a hard pan which reduces pore space--increasing the risk of flooding and nutrient loss.
PESTICIDES
PESTICIDES
Industrial farms are notorious for the application of unnatural synthetic pesticides on their crops. While these pesticides prevent crops from being damaged, they harm the soil's microbiological diversity and are often the cause of algal blooms in aquatic ecosystems. These pesticides can disrupt the soils natural cycle leaving the soil to become infertile over time.
NATIONAL ISSUES
SOIL FERTILITY
SOIL FERTILITY
The commoditization of staple crops such as corn, soy, and cereal crops has promoted the practice of monocropping. Monocropping alters the microbial landscape of soil, decreasing beneficial microbes and nutrients--causing poor plant growth over time. Monocropping and other practices of industrialized farming have caused fertile soils to become unviable.
WATER
WATER
70% of the World's water is used on agricultural practices. Industrial farms have been known to dry up underwater reservoirs and aquifers in order to water their crops. These farms are also contributors to pollution within our water systems. Animal waste and pesticide/fertilizer run-off create harmful algae blooms and risk for disease within waterways.
LOCAL ISSUES
BIODIVERSITY
BIODIVERSITY
The prominent practice of monoculture leaves no room for agrobiodiversity. Innately, industrialized farming destroys natural habitats, permanently disrupting preexisting animal and plant life. Michigan, in particular, has lost much of its wetland ecosystems due to agricultural expansion. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy estimates that Michigan has lost nearly half of its natural wetlands.
MIGRANT WORKERS
MIGRANT WORKERS
Migrant farmworkers make up 73% of agriculture workers in the United States. Michigan relies upon these essential workers during harvest. Industrial farms continue to exploit migrant workers, failing to provide them with respectful wages or benefits.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
SUSTAINABLE HARVEST INTERNATIONAL
SUSTAINABLE HARVEST INTERNATIONAL
Sustainable Harvest International has been working for 25 years as an environmental nonprofit partnering with small-scale farmers in Central America to adopt regenerative practices that nourish people and the planet. Sustainable Harvest International has been successful in achieving large-scale agriculture that is community-based.
REGENERATION INTERNATIONAL
REGENERATION INTERNATIONAL
Regeneration International (RI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to building alternative food and farming systems. The organization strives to promote the global transition to regenerative farming and land management practices to end world hunger and rebuild social, ecological, and economic systems. Regeneration International offers assistance to farmers dedicated to regenerative agriculture by helping them receive certifications. In West Michigan, RI has helped Grassfields Cheese LLC, Two Rivers Farm, and Woodbridge Dairy Farm, among others, receive certifications.
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a program entitled the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program which restores grazing land while protecting, restoring, and enhancing wetlands. The NRCS found that the lands protected by this program improve environmental quality, preserve history, as well as wildlife habitat, and protect open space.
COMMUNITIES FOR A BETTER ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNITIES FOR A BETTER ENVIRONMENT
Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) is an environmental justice organization focused on building power in marginalized communities. CBE provides scientific, technical, and legal assistance to communities to combat detriments to their health and well-being.
EXAMPLES OF LARGE-SCALE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Ben Falk's Resilient Farm and Homestead
Ben Falk's Resilient Farm and Homestead
Ben Falk's "Whole Systems Design" incorporates landscaping, water retention, forestry, and agriculture to develop resilient habitats. This mix-used approach to farming creates an edible landscape that is structured in interdependence. This system of permaculture is built in relationships between animals, plants, and humans that are self-sufficient.
Farm-scale Permaculture by Free Permaculture
Farm-scale Permaculture by Free Permaculture
This system of farm-scale permaculture, developed by Free Permaculture, focuses on establishing edible natural ecosystems on a large scale. Using examples from sustainable farms such as Nettle Valley Farm (Minnesota) and Llanant Farm (Wales), the organization has created a zoning method to implement farm-scale permaculture. There are garden zones, forage zones, animal zones, and wild areas; all of which come together to create one large interdependent system.
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Proposed Area
Proposed Area
According to Google Earth, this section of the North Field at the SAP is approximately 450 ft. by 150 ft. which is equivalent to 54,000 sq. ft. or 1.24 acres.
The goal of this project is to implement an edible landscape that features honey production, crop production, fruit production, aesthetic wild spaces, a pollinator garden, and the potential to raise animals on the SAP.
The project also features a pond in lieu of wetland restoration. Wetlands provide wildlife habitat and ecological services such as shade, buffering, and storing floodwaters.
PROPOSED DESIGN
BUDGET AND TIMELINE
ESTIMATED PROJECT BUDGET
Though it may seem that this project is daunting to carry out due to budget constraints, the permaculture project can be implemented for a reasonable price. Most labor costs with the exception of pond excavation are mitigated by the volunteer work done at the SAP.
With 20 feet spacing, the proposed project will allow for the growth of 21 fruit trees which cost roughly $80 on average.
Manoomin seed can be bought by the pound directly from the White Earth Indian Reservation with each bag costing $24. It is recommended that an acre of water be planted with 30 pounds of seed, so 20 pounds will be more than enough for the first rotation in our project.
Assorted crop seeds and bush fruit seeds such as strawberries and blueberries can be purchased at a relatively low cost, especially if purchased in bulk. With $200 allocated to each category, the SAP will be able to experiment with a variety of cultivars.
Pollinator starters can be purchased for an average of $4 per starter. With a relatively small space dedicated to natural pollinators, 100 plants should be enough to supplement the area.
It is recommended that an acre of arable land is amended with approximately 5 tons of compost. Including delivery fees, 5 tons of compost will run the SAP around $700.
Miscellaneous fees such as land surveying, consulting, and permitting will cost around $2,000. However, some of these costs can be mitigated with professional help from Grand Valley faculty and students.
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE ANALYSIS
People
People
Implementing a farm-scale permaculture project on the SAP provides an educational opportunity by teaching the Grand Valley community about sustainable agriculture. By connecting with on-campus groups such as the Native American Student Association and the Asian Student Union, this project can also be used as an outlet for diversity and inclusion by growing culturally appropriate foods for the diverse cultures on Grand Valley's campus.
Implementing farm-scale permaculture could:
Increase access to fresh, healthy foods
Increase access to culturally appropriate foods
Promote diversity and inclusion at Grand Valley
Create gathering spaces
Provide educational opportunities
Provide employment opportunities
Planet
Planet
Permaculture promotes agrobiodiversity and regenerative agricultural practices. By creating a mixed-use space, this project can help provide habitat to wetland flora and fauna as well as a variety of staple crop species.
Implementing farm-scale permaculture could:
Increase the efficiency of the SAP
Provide habitat for native flora and fauna
Mitigate localized droughts
Pond serves as a carbon sequester
Promote healthy soil
Restore and preserve biodiversity
Profit
Profit
Implementing a permaculture project on the SAP allows the farm to cultivate more produce that can be sold locally at market or through CSAs. The proposed project provides dedicated space for fruit trees, wild rice, and potentially animal products; all of which the SAP does not currently produce.
Implementing farm-scale permaculture could:
Increase CSA sales
Increase the output of agricultural products on the SAP
Provide new employment opportunities
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Australian Commonwealth. (2016). Wetlands and agriculture. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Ending Factory Farming: Environmental damage. Compassion in World Farming. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://www.ciwf.org.uk/factory-farming/environmental-damage/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw48OaBhDWARIsAMd966A7OWEZH_w8zf85xumbe7YATWILlJ9poXxQ86h68dwM59Gp-ozkTskaAjlrEALw_wcB
Environmental Protection Agency. (2022, March 23). Why are Wetlands Important? EPA. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/why-are-wetlands-important
Farmscale Permaculture. Free Permaculture. (2022, October 31). Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://www.freepermaculture.com/farmscale/
Rochin, R. I., Santiago, A. M., Dickey, K. S., & Michigan State Univ., E. L. J. S. R. I. (1989). Migrant and Seasonal Workers in Michigan’s Agriculture: A Study of Their Contributions, Characteristics, Needs, and Services. Research Report No. 1.
State of Michigan. (n.d.). Wetland Restoration and watershed planning. Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/wetlands/wetland-restoration
United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Sustainable Agriculture Programs. National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/sustainable-agriculture-programs
Vernik, M., & Sauve, C. (2022, June 15). Michigan court advances lawsuit advocating for workers' compensation for Undocumented Workers - Public Justice Food Project. Public Justice Food Project. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://food.publicjustice.net/michigan-court-advances-lawsuit-advocating-for-workers-compensation-for-undocumented-workers/
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