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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1989-03-08, Page 52Rage 8A m RIM13 Edition °89 rs fw .ro ote use 41, s bstitute fo chemical Ly NELLIE LL,AKIE: Cutting down the use of fertilisers by us- ing manure as a substitute and studying the soil to prevent weed growth are just some of the philosophies of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, now with a membership of 600 farmers. One of those converted is Bernard Hack of Kincardine township, who joined the farmers' association seven years ago when he moved to Canada from West Germany. One of the ingredients of organic farm- ing is using untreated seed, Bernard said. He purchased his first batch of untreated seed from a Mennonite family. After that, "you make your own efforts," he said. Seeds from the first harvest are planted the next year and that harvest's seed can be sold for use in food products. Possible problems outlined to nes farmers Bernard said when an interested farmer joins the association, he receives a free consultation from an experienced farmer on everything from how to start his I rganic farm to problems he could encounter. He said one factor that converted his mind to ecological farming was humans can stand only so many chemicals. Chemicals are used to preserve the planted seed, to keep weeds from killing the crop, to preserve, color and enhance prepared food. Some people have even suf- fered "envuoninentalegtes e chemicals inthe.air, he said. He said crops such as whole grains are being .used in health food products so lack of chemicals is important. Farms using ecological methods can support flan, oora,Pwheat, oats, rye, barley and spelt, a variety of wheat which yiehs the highest quality of protein of grains, depending on whht crop was planted in the history of the farm. Eliminating fertilizer and producing your own supply of seed every year also saves the farnaermoney, Bernard said, ad- ding seed produced from the first organic crop is virtually free. Other programs maintained by the ecological farmers association include field trips to a farm using the organic method. Last summer, association presi- dent Lawrence Andres of Kincardine Township gave over his farm for inspec- tion by over 300 farmers from Ontario and Quebec. Bernard also allowed his farm to be inspected by other farriers. Every year, members from the Ontario ecological association and its Canadian parent visit a different farm discussing such things as weed control. One of the secrets to knowing how to fangs your crops 'without fertilizers, Ber- nard said, comes from studying the type of soil different species of trees naturally grow in. For example, cedars grow best in swamps, pine indry soil,'ash in medium soil and spruce grow best on a northern slope. "This is a hint to similar things on the field," he said. On the field, farmers also like to control -conditions artificEdirusing fertilizer and that in Bernard's opinion .promotes weed growth. "If the farmer keeps the soil healthy, weeds will grow but notes good," he said, "So (theweeds) will stayanderground and PRESIDENT OF THE Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario Lawrence Andres was the first In Kincardine township to begin an organic farm when' he moved here 10 years .ago from Switzerland. He<said rattle are ideal to use on organic farina isecanse they eat grai�in .and over 70 per cent of food eaten goes :back to the ground im manure. (Nellie :Blake photo) there as no harm to the crops." Other factors that promote weed growth are compaction from driving heavy equip- ment too many times over the same area and over -fertilizing the crops. To avoid compaction, Bernard reeom- mends to "avoid working land in wet con- ditions," and to avoid over -fertilizing he suggests to be content with the yield and with what "nature can do naturally.,, Suggests rotating cropsevery year Be stressed if farmers force the land to produce more than at is able, they create an imbalance in the soil which results in weed and possibly fungi growth. One remedy to balance the soil conditions is to change or rotate crops on that field every year. ernard warned farmers on the verge of converting to the ecological method to do it cautiously. Be converted his farm in one step only because he already knew a lot about organic farming. Association president Lawrence Andres said the conversion process is easier if the farm was treated well and if the new farmer has livestock, particularily cattle. Cattle manure is an excellent fertilizer because 70 to 90 per cent of the food con- sumed by the animal is excreted into the manure, he said. Manure adds to the humus or "everything decomposed that has lived before" in the soil. Humus takes a ung [me to -rebuild after being dainag — -- ed, he said. Examples of humus include stubble from harvested crops plowed under, roots, leaves, •earthworms ,and manure. e. I3urnus 'Tar ;to page 9A i'. d 1, i; NEil WE HAVE WNW YOU NEED !Leyland 802 wv /turbo, • reconditioned 19,495 !Leyland 255 wv /i.mote, utility tractor *Nuffield .4 /65 w /New DJunharn Lehr ioade r •Ford 4000 diesel vs / Power ;steering, clean •Ford 5600 sv /cab .,A duo O. power, $12t89 ,low .hours *Ford"7710 lw/sob .AC.and load monitors,: J ; c9ro S'. 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