The Rural Voice, 1992-09, Page 52nature's way of trying to correct the
soil's imbalances." Proper soil
condition along with appropriate crop
rotations and cover cropping are the
organic farmer's best defence against
weeds. When these factors are well
managed the need for mechanical
Reibling stands in a field of red
kidney beans with the farm buildings
in the background.
Reibling sorts red wheat at the farm's
mill, producing organic flour.
weed control is greatly reduced.
When asked what encouragement
he would give the young farmer
today, Dave was hesitant, claiming
"The way the economics are set, it's
getting to the point where the
financial returns are getting so low
that farming isn't feasible no
matter how you do it .. .
organic farming is a way of
reducing costs but if you're
strapped with a heavy debt
load it's not going to save
you."
Though a financial squeeze
prompted the Reiblings to
experiment with organic
methods 23 years ago, it has
been the satisfaction of
stewarding and conserving the
earth's resources that has kept
them in farming.
"Once you've been a true
farmer, that is you understand
the way the soil works a bit ...
it's pretty hard to get that out
of your system . . . it's
something I don't know how
to explain ... it's just a good
feeling."
Before Dave got back to his
work that morning he took me
out to show me his bean field.
As he waded through the
blossoming rows, I remember
an earlier comment he made,
"I don't try pushing my
thinking on somebody else...
I guess I believe in the witness
side of things more than the
preaching." Here was a farmer
looking out over his field, a strong,
quiet reflection of the integrity and
art of his life's work.0
For further information on organic
farming contact Canadian Organic
Growers, Box 6406, Station J,
Ottawa, Ontario K2A 3Y6. The
newly published Organic Field Crop
Handbook can be purchased for
$19.95 from the above address.
48 THE RURAL VOICE