Farming - Off the Grid and Self Sustaining

More than anything else being off the grid represents security. You may have to spend money to start with, but the results are worth it.

Being off the grid means having your own power when everyone else's is out because of a power failure. It means you can rely on not only your own power system, but the food you grow, and the the water you drink. You won't be affected by the cost of rising prices for your utility bills, and you can continue to operate despite any fuel shortages.

Being off the grid also means that even though you may hopefully never need it, your alternative energy source is there for you in the event of any sort of national emergency.

Fear of growing unsafe crops due to pesticide related diseases has prompted some people to look for healthier alternatives. To grow produce free from harmful additives is an obtainable goal. As people become aware more of the dangers of pesticides, the demand for organic food is on the rise. According to the Organic Certification regulatory text, organic food must be grown by:
"Methods used to enhance crop health and prevent weed, pest, or disease problems without the use of substances; examples include the selection of appropriate varieties and planting sites; proper timing and density of plantings; irrigation; and extending a growing season by manipulating the microclimate with green houses, cold frames, or wind breaks.(USDA)"

All of these criteria are met without using nonrenewable resources or exploiting the land. A self sustaining farm that grows its own food does not need pesticides or herbicides because a truly self-sustaining farm has an ecosystem that regulates pests and weeds naturally. You will get better crops using a rotation method which involves planting crops in different places to replenish nutrients in the soil. Using natural pest control is also a better way to grow crops. Insects and certain plants can regulate pests naturally. If weeding is needed the weeds can be reused as mulch or food for livestock. The self-sustainability and reusability of organic farming is greatly beneficial for the farmers. Production costs are drastically cut. Avoiding the application and storing of inorganic pesticides also can save a great deal of money. Growing organic food is environmentally friendly, healthy and best of all, delicious.

Living roofs are a fairly new concept, but they are becoming more and more popular. They reduce the amount of storm water runoff and improve the quality of water going into streams and waterways. In addition to that, they help control polution by filtering it from the air, and they reduce noise levels. Because it keeps your house warmer in winter and cooler in the summer, it also provides you with long term financial benefits, by cutting down on the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home.

Living roofs last about forty years, as opposed to the average of seventeen years for a roof made of other materials. Plus, they are low maintanence, with almost nothing in the way of repair or replacement and damage considerations. The cost of a living, or green roof varies greatly depending on the size, slope, and the type of system and plants used.

You also need to take into account several issues before you decide if a living roof is what you need. Your climate, zoning laws, and the structure of your house all have to be considered first. You will also have to check with your insurance company to see if they will cover your new roof.

You will need a professional to help you install a living roof. If it is to succeed, it has to have proper drainage and irrigation. The right materials must be used as well. Make sure you research and ask questions. If a living roof is right for you, it is certainly worth consideration.

Composting manure is an excellent management technique for farmers who own livestock. There are several beneficial reasons to take advantage of composting.

You are reducing the chance of runoff from your property contaminating and polluting your surface and ground waters. It's also good for your animals for health reasons. It reduces the possibility of parasite reinfestation. The heat generated in the composting process kills worm eggs. It also reduces your fly problems by eliminating their breeding ground.

Consider too the fact that animal manure makes an excellent fertilizer. Composting reduces the volume of waste, makes nutrients more available to plants, and it increases organic material in soils. By using your animal manure for fertilizer you are not only making good use of what would otherwise just be a waste product, you're saving money and chances are you're probably getting a better quality fertilizer.

To get started you need to select a high, level area of your property for your compost operation. Don't site your composting facility in a low lying area, or it will turn into a soggy mess. A location that's convenient to your stall and paddock areas will make the chore of cleaning up easier and less time consuming.

A three-pile system works best, one ready to spread, one in the process of decomposition, and one to which fresh manure is being added daily. Bins should be built to contain the piles. Landscape timbers work well for this purpose.

By following a few simple techniques, you can greatly enhance the composting of livestock waste. The compost should be moist enough that it is easy to ball up in your hand, but not so moist that it drips. Cover your compost pile with a tarp to prevent it from becoming soggy in the winter or too dried out in the summer. A tarp also prevents the valuable nutrients from being washed out and from contributing to surface and ground water contamination. A hose can be used to apply extra moisture to the pile. Regular turning of the waste pile will ensure that enough oxygen feeds the microorganisms. Using a front-end loader is the easiest way to get the job accomplished. One innovative solution is to insert perforated PVC pipe into the pile while it is being built, in order to aerate the pile.

The process of decomposition of a manure pile can take anywhere from two weeks to three months or more. The quality of the resulting product will vary depending on management of the pile.