Field Day At Nature's Gourmet Farm

"I love how your emails are written to friends and not strangers. Makes me feel like part of the community! All our best, Cricket"

OK, so today's newsletter is a follow up from our soil test that was completed last December and culminates with a discussion around a farmer field day we hosted at our farm February 21st with Dr. Allen Williams.

If you like to garden then you will appreciate the "educational" aspect of today's newsletter.

The reason for taking the soil test was to see why our grass was not growing like it should. With the warmer winter (at that time) and moisture the grass should have been really growing great. But, it was not - Something was wrong!

After discussing with Dr. Williams I collected the samples and sent them to RegenAg in NE. Three test were requested. This is where I wish I knew more science than I actually do!!!

1) The Haney Soil Health Analysis test measures the amount of nutrients (both organic and inorganic) that are in the soil. Results showed the pH at 6.6 and that the amount of nutrients were about average. Certainly good enough to grow plenty of grass.

2) PLFA Analysis Report measures the soil biology and % of Total Biomass. For our purposes, soil contains 3-main types of biology - Bacteria, Fungi, and Protozoa. Bacteria locks up soils nutrients so they are not available to plants. Fungi works with plants to make soil nutrients available and provides the pathways for protozoa. Protozoa are predators to bacteria which releases the nutrients when they kill the bacteria.

Dr. Elaine Ingram who developed the Soil Food Web found in her research that the ratio for a majority of our crops perform best in soils with a bacteria-to-fungi ratio of 1-to-1. The PLFA Report showed my soil bacteria-to-fungi ratio as 9:1. BINGO!!!

3) Total Nutrient Digestion Report provides the actual pounds per acre of nutrients in the soil. Again, plenty of nutrients to grow great grass.

So, how did our soil biology ratio get so out of line? That’s a very good question.

A big clue came from a recent article in the Stockman Grass Farmer magazine that suggested excessive rainfall. Remember how much rain we had beginning the fall of 2020 through September of 2021? Some folks near me reported near twice the annual average.

I remember how our pastures were constantly soaked from all the rain which filled pore spaces in the soil and pushed oxygen out. These results were devastating to our fungal community.

Next, I want to briefly share corrective actions we are taking.

First, after much research, we have built a Bioreactor composter based on the Johnson-Su model that makes a highly fungal compost (>5:1 fungal ratio). Since it takes about one year for the compost to complete I have found a source where I can purchase enough compost to use on my farm during the first year that is based on the Johnson-Su model and has been tested by an outside lab.

You can learn more about the Johnson-Su Bioreactor here.

Next, I will upgrade my no-till drill to be able to apply the compost extract into the seed farrow while planting. Acres that are not planted this Spring with the no-till drill will be sprayed directly with the compost extract with my existing sprayer.

Lastly, Monday, February 21st, Dr. Allen Williams came to Nature’s Gourmet Farm for a field day. The purpose was to spend time in my pastures using some of the basic regenerative ag tools available and discussing grazing methods and forages that can help solve our biology issue as well as reducing or eliminating expensive inputs.

As you know, we are very happy to help anyone who is interested in regenerative ag and or who would like to direct market products from their farm.

So, I reached out to four “just getting started in regenerative ag” farmers and invited them to hear firsthand from Dr. Williams and get some good hands-on training.

After lunch we took a tour of our poultry and red meat plant as well as the rest of the farm where I shared the advantage of direct marketing their farm products and lessons I have learned during our first 10 years.

Just think what a difference regenerative ag can make for these four farm families as well as the communities and customers they seek to serve! What a blessing to see young folks who are excited about farming.

Next week I hope to share some exciting news about our plant that I am sure you would not want to miss.