What exactly are we trying to accomplish with this effort. Here's the thought process and logic behind the who, what, why of our venture...
Why start a farm?
By starting our own farm,
we can guarantee a source of high-quality, well-priced produce for years to
come. In our partnerships with experienced farmers over the past 14 months, we
have already been able to grow organic crops to our exact specifications at a
quality and price significantly better than the conventional marketplace. To
build on this success, we are assembling the team and resources necessary to
grow 85% of the company’s produce requirements within a two year period.
Why now?
A major issue is facing
the US food industry now and in the future. Over the past decade the cost of
produce has risen steadily while its quality and nutrition have diminished.
This trend is largely due to a heavy reliance on petroleum based products that
conventional farms use for machinery, chemical crop applications, and
transportation. After years of incessant focus on short-term profitability,
“factory farming” now faces a terminal problem. The nation’s farmland is being
depleted of its resources due to mono-cropping and soil erosion, which is
directly undermining the quality and nutritional value of our foods. Yields per
acre are also diminishing as soil quality deteriorates, and the problem will
only worsen unless fundamental changes occur to current farming methods.
Consequently, those businesses who do not find an alternative to the
conventional supply chain will be subject to inflationary pricing and supply
issues. We see biodynamic farming as a
proven alternative, and the Bay Area offers all the necessary resources for our
company to produce or direct source nearly all of its vegetable, fruit and
berry needs.
Why biodynamic?
For centuries biodynamic
farming has been a proven method for delivering superior crops throughout
Europe, Australia and New Zealand. This practice employs composting, crop
rotation and resource management to create a balanced ecosystem that enhances
the life forces necessary for healthy plant and animal growth. Soil quality and
microbial life are cultivated to guard against drought, disease and pest
damage, while producing higher crop yields and nutritional values without a
need for costly chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. When factoring
in the exclusion of petroleum and chemical inputs, Biodynamic farming becomes a
superior environmental and economical alternative to the current “factory
farming” system.
What are the
efficiencies of this farming method?
A biodynamic farm creates
a highly productive, sustainable farming environment that minimalizes the need
of outside inputs. This system is accomplished by carefully managing the farm’s
natural resources to eliminate the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides and
pesticides. Additionally, proper soil and crop management lowers irrigation
requirements and guards against crop damage caused by disease, infestation or
drought. Since Rudolf Steiner initiated the scientific analysis nearly 80 years
ago, biodynamic farming has been proven to produce consistently higher yields
of premium quality crops at a lower cost of inputs, whether on a 300 acre farm
or a 100 square foot plot.
What current trends
favor this project?
The Bay Area represents
the forefront of the culinary world demanding the highest quality, nutritious
foods available on the marketplace. Customers are willing to pay premium prices
for such quality; however, supplies are limited. Our company intends to meet
this demand.
What partners,
specialists or advisers are identified to assist in the project?
Over one year ago, we
started a partnership with an experienced biodynamic farmer, John Maeck, to explore
farming opportunities throughout the Bay Area. We are currently growing crops
in Salinas, San Pablo and Sonoma. John provides the project with numerous
specialists and advisers who offer expertise in crop, soil and resource
management. Together, we are assembling a proven team prepared to launch and
manage the project.
How will we mitigate
any potential risks?
As a practice, biodynamic
farming uses attentive observation and management to maximize the potential
output of a farm's resources. This method understands the inherent risks of
farming and creates a balanced ecological system that helps mitigate the
potential damage caused by infestation, disease, drought, or other harmful occurrences.
Eighty years of data comparing biodynamic farming to other methods supports
this claim.
Additionally, we are
carefully assembling and managing the resources, infrastructure and expertise
required for the project. Our plans include Demeter biodynamic certification
that requires routine inspection and consultation from other certified
biodynamic farmers. This relationship will provide personal oversight to help
ensure our farm meets the agricultural and environmental values and practices
necessary for success. Additionally, this certification will offer customers
the assurance that they are eating organic foods of the highest standard
available.
What are the costs
benefits of a biodynamic farm?
Similar to conventional
farms, a biodynamic farm requires labor, land, soil amendments, water, tools, supplies,
seed stock and plants, which vary in quantity depending on the farm’s chosen
output. However, biodynamic farming fundamentally relies on the conservation of
these resources through proactive management in order to minimize any need for
outside inputs. The optimal scenario is a self-sufficient, sustainable system
where a farm is able to supply most – if not all – the foods, nutrients and
life necessities its plants and animals require. When practiced effectively,
yields are optimized while costs of inputs are minimalized. It is a primary
goal of this project to prove that biodynamic farming not only offers superior
quality and nutrition when compared to conventional farming methods, but also
offers superior economic results.
Thus far, our Salinas
property is able to produce organic heirloom vegetables at a cost savings of
10% to 25% when compared to our conventional vendors. These savings can be
attributed to the elimination of middlemen mark-ups and added transportation costs,
and we see these efficiencies continuing to pay off as we expand our farming
program.
