farm” in Brazil. On its 79 square kilometers of integrated, organically managed land, the biodiversity is six times
higher than on conventional farms in
the same area—hosting over 247 types
of wildlife, including 191 species of
birds. To achieve this they planted over
a million trees, interweaving wildlife
corridors and water sources between
their organic, biodynamic sugar cane
crops.
Biodiversity on the Ground Level.
The soil at São Francisco’s eco-farm is
also rich in biodiversity. Through inte-
grated organic methods such as cover
crops, crop rotation and fertilizer
made from its own waste they have
built the soil to a point where they
have been able to bring back benefi-
cial fungi and insects that had not
been seen in the agricultural areas
around their farms in years. Then they
worked to breed these insects and mi-
croorganisms so they could release
more into the environment.
What is the Next Step?
From sequestering GHGs and feed-
ing the world to building soil and pro-
tecting biodiversity, organic agriculture
without a doubt is a much better sys-
tem for the health of our planet and
every species that lives on the planet.
In fact, it is a critical step in creating a
sustainable future, period. But in
order for organic farming to truly save
the world, we have to get the word out,
and we have to get it out now. It’s time
to raise consciousness to a level that
starts a revolution.
Kat Schuett is the editorial director of
Organic Processing Magazine. She can be
reached at kat@organicprocessing.com.
OREGON
TILTH
®
