Acres U.S.A.

09/04/2024

An Unavoidable Diagnosis
Felix zu Löwenstein

Farmers are producing more food than ever before — enough to feed 12 to 14 billion people. Despite this abundance, one in eight people still go hungry, with nearly 850 million facing hunger and another billion undernourished. The reasons behind this are complicated, involving poor governance, wars and unequal distribution of land and income, especially in parts of Africa.

Food waste is another big issue. In Western countries, up to half of all agricultural produce ends up in the trash, while poorer countries suffer huge post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage, transportation and processing facilities. In industrialized nations, we often consume more than our fair share, driven by a high demand for meat. Germans, the French and Americans eat between 130 and 260 pounds of meat each year, and emerging economies are consuming more as well. A large percentage of the crops we grow worldwide feed livestock; the simple math says that if everyone in the world ate meat like an American, we wouldn’t have enough land to grow the grain to feed that many animals. Additionally, the push for biofuels adds to the competition for land.

[Read the rest of this Article on our Members Site, link Below]

Our agriculture — and our diets — must adopt the principles of organic farming and ecological intensification

09/03/2024

This Weeks Book of the Week is " The Albrecht Papers Vol. 5, Albrecht on Calcium" Follow the link in our Bio to our Online Book Store, and use code: AlbrechtOnCal30 to get 30% off!

08/30/2024

It’s Farm Friday! Introducing Lakeview Natural Dairy, located in the serene landscapes of Grand Marais, MN. To learn about this farm and other highlighted farms by subscribing to our newsletter. Link in the bio 🔗

08/30/2024

Principles or Products?
Chuck Schembre

We have entered the regenerative agriculture era. This is a time in which “soil health” is a familiar term among most of the agricultural industry. We are now approaching two decades since the phrase has superseded “soil quality.” Those who claim to practice regenerative agriculture believe they have a good understanding of what constitutes healthy soil.

Things seem to be heading in a good direction. We now have many commercial labs running various soil health tests that were not available even 10 years ago at an affordable price, and there is an abundance of funding being pumped into soil health for research and for farmer financial assistance. Conventionally trained agronomists are beginning to recommend soil health product lines and referring to themselves as “regenerative agronomists.”

[Read the rest of this article on our members site, Link Below]

Inputs alone can never result in true soil health — following the principles is the only real solution

08/28/2024

Eco-update
Acres U.S.A.

We have long since become accustomed to enjoying tomatoes, cucumbers, berries and melons year-round. Globally, greenhouse cultivation is increasing rapidly, according to a new study from the University of Copenhagen. The majority of this boom is happening in low- and middle-income countries.

Using satellite imagery and deep-learning algorithms, the researchers mapped the amount of land used for greenhouse cultivation worldwide. Their mapping shows that covered cultivation spans at least 3.2 million acres of the Earth’s surface — nearly three times more than previous estimates.

[Read the rest of this article on our members site, Link Below]

Greenhouses Cover Nearly Three Times More of Earth’s Surface Than Previously Thought

08/27/2024

Book of the Week!
The Biological Farmer By: Gary Zimmer.
Use Code: BIO30 to get 30% off this title!

[Link to BookStore in Bio]

08/26/2024

Refining SOPs
Kirsten Simmons

This month we’re going to go from last month’s brain dump of processes into something you can actually give to someone else and have them do a passable job replicating what you do on a daily basis. If you haven’t read last month’s article, go back and do that now — otherwise you might be a bit confused going forward.

When we left off last month, we had eight pages of brain dump on wash/pack procedures from a two-hour session with Russell at Love is Love Cooperative Farm. About a week later, I drove down to the farm to shadow a typical wash/pack day. I left with notes scribbled everywhere and lots of ideas for how to make the process easier to follow. And I learned that the SOP work we’re doing will have a real test run in November because Russell and Monica are expecting a baby!

[Read the rest of this article on our members site, Link Below]

Going from brain dump to something useful

08/23/2024

It’s Farm Friday! Introducing Hidden Hollowed Farm located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. To learn more about this farm and other highlighted farms by subscribing to our news letter! Link in the bio 🔗

08/21/2024

The Great Humus Debate
Will F. Brinton

If there were ever two figures from history who should have crossed paths, it would have been Sir Albert Howard and Justus von Liebig. Despite living in different eras, they both approached the subject of soil humus with passion and skill, seemingly on opposite ends of the spectrum. However, a fresh look offers a different perspective, revealing insights into the inconsistencies in humus revolutions and the origins of organic farming.

Justus von Liebig (1803-1877) is widely recognized for pioneering the “Mineral Theory” — that the essential nutrients for plants are inorganic minerals. This theory contributed to the transition from traditional agricultural methods such as crop rotations and manuring to what is commonly referred to as “chemical farming.” Liebig’s influence is often criticized in contemporary organic farming literature, beginning with Howard. However, delving into Liebig’s extensive body of work presents a challenge in discerning which ideas to embrace and which to question.

[Read the rest of this article on our members site, Link Below]

From von Liebig to the present, what humus is — and what it can do for farmers — continues to be debated

08/19/2024

Above the Lawn
Tim Sheppard

I hate lawns. I know that’s not a subtle statement, but I feel this is an important disclosure to make right up front: I never intended to have a perfect lawn. I’ll briefly share how I ended up here, then jump into lessons for everyone who has their hands in the soil.

It all started in the landscaped areas that lie between my home and the lawn. I fell in love with native plants and all the life they support above- and belowground. I believe in balance, so I researched the good and the bad plants. I learned I could prevent unwanted plants from germinating simply by changing soil conditions. I worked to improve the soil in my landscape by topdressing with leaf mold and compost. Over time, the unwanted plants subsided, and the native plants filled in.

[Read the Rest of This Article in the Link Below]

Soil health lessons — compliments of regenerative lawncare

08/16/2024

It’s Farm Friday!
Introducing Berrybrook Organics Farm located in Marion, SD. To learn more about this farm and other highlighted farms by subscribing to our news letter! Link in the bio 🔗

08/16/2024

Our Acres Book of the Week is here! Introducing: "Fletcher Sims' Compost" by Charles Walters.

Fletcher Sims has certainly earned his title as the "Dean of Composting." Interspersed with practical anecdotes from decades of personal experience, this book contains Sims' lessons on large-scale composting, including how to manage compost ingredients, compost ratios, the benefits of compost vs. fertilizer, and more.

Written by Acres U.S.A. founder Charles Walters, in partnership with Sims, this book is a practical, technical guide to understanding how compost increases soil health and vitality, which can then increase the production and profit of an operation.

Head over to the bookstore today to grab a copy!

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/fletcher-sims-compost

08/14/2024

You Can’t Spell Harvest without RV
by Lucas Hubbard

Harvest Host offers an easy option for farms to dip a toe into agritourism.
With fields of flowering cover crops, orchards filled with bird song, and herds of cattle munching their way through the knee-high pasture, biological farms are a place of beauty. Increasingly, people looking for unique travel opportunities are visiting and staying on farms. While travelers get the chance to experience rural life and fresh food, farmers gain economic resilience through income diversification. According to the USDA, agritourism revenue more than tripled between 2002 and 2017.

[Read the rest of this article on our Members Site, Link Below]

Harvest Host offers an easy option for farms to dip a toe into agritourism

08/13/2024

Boost Yields, Improve Soil Health, and Reduce Chemical Inputs with Chlorella vulgaris. Download this free white paper today -> https://eco-farming.com/ensoil

In 2023, farmer Russell Hedrick shattered the American dryland corn yield record with an astounding 460 bushels per acre. The secret to his success? A revolutionary live green algae biostimulant, Chlorella vulgaris, which boosted his yield by 17 bushels per acre. Now, you can achieve similar results on your farm! Enlightened Soil Corp: EnSoil Algae

Discover the transformative power of green algae biostimulants in our free whitepaper. Learn how Chlorella vulgaris can boost crop yields, improve soil health, and reduce chemical inputs. Explore real-world case studies, scientific research, and practical application guidelines to enhance your farm'...

08/13/2024

🚨🚨 New Podcast is Live!!🚨🚨

Join Taylor Henry on the Acres USA podcast as he delves deep into the world of sustainable and regenerative farming with Gary Zimmer. This episode explores the formation of Midwestern BioAg, the challenges and innovations in eco-friendly agricultural practices from the 70s to present. Learn about the pivotal role of soil mineralization and the significance of key minerals such as calcium and boron. Gary Zimmer enriches the discussion with his expertise on cover crops, crop diversity, and bio-based fertilizers, reflecting on both the historical and modern landscape of farming. Discover how Midwestern BioAg's pioneering efforts in fertilizer formulation and soil health have translated into improved soil and crop vitality, offering valuable insights for educators and practitioners in the field of agriculture.

[Podcast linked Below]

Join Taylor Henry on the Acres USA podcast as he delves deep into the world of sustainable and regenerative farming with Gary Zimmer. This episode explores the formation of Midwestern BioAg, the challenges and innovations in eco-friendly agricultural practices from the 70s to present. Learn about th...

08/12/2024

Photosynthesis, Leaves and Foliar Feeding
by Mark Shepard

As this issue goes to press, it is the peak of the northern hemisphere’s photosynthetic season, and the sun (whether obscured by cloud cover or not) is above the horizon longer than it is below the horizon. This is more pronounced in the northern regions than in the south, with some of our Acres U.S.A. growers in northern Alberta having over 17 hours of daylight and growers in Mexico receiving around 13.

[Read the rest of this article on our Members Site, Link Below]

Understanding leaves better can inform your farming practices

08/08/2024

🌾 Our Intro to Organic Agriculture Field Day is just a few days away!🌾

📅 Date: August 12, 2024
📍 Location: Menoken Farm & Forager Farm - Bismarck, ND
💲 Cost: Free to Attend!
🥪 Lunch: Included!

Join us and FARRMS for a day of learning and networking at Menoken Farm and Forager Farm! Whether you're a seasoned organic farmer or just starting, this field day is packed with valuable insights and practical tips.

🔗 Register Today: https://bit.ly/acresfarrmsevent

Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your knowledge and connect with the organic farming community! 🌱

08/07/2024

Our Acres Book of the Week is here! Introducing: "Dirt to Soil" by Gabe Brown.

As we know from his story, Gabe Brown didn’t set out to change the world when he first started working alongside his father-in-law on the family farm in North Dakota. But as a series of weather-related crop disasters put Brown and his wife, Shelly, in desperate financial straits, they started making bold changes to their farm. Brown―in an effort to simply survive―began experimenting with new practices he’d learned about from reading and talking with innovative researchers and ranchers. As he and his family struggled to keep the farm viable, they found themselves on an amazing journey into a new type of farming: regenerative agriculture.

Head over to the bookstore today to grab a copy!

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/dirt-to-soil

08/07/2024

Greening the Thumb
By Acres U.S.A.

An interview with long-time Michigan farmer and consultant Joe Scrimger about conservation tillage, transitioning from conventional practices, and his Acres U.S.A. mentors.

[Read this interview style article on our Member site, Link Below]

An interview with long-time Michigan farmer and consultant Joe Scrimger about conservation tillage, transitioning from conventional practices, and his Acres

08/06/2024

In this episode of the Acres USA podcast, you will hear Will and Jenni Harris’s Keynote presentation from the 2021 Eco-Ag Conference. Will and Jenni share the story of White Oak Pastures and how it was started. They discuss the transition from conventional to regenerative farming, the importance of community, and the succession of the family farm. Will Harris provides a historical overview of the farm, its practices, and the philosophy behind regenerative agriculture. Jenny Harris elaborates on her journey back to the farm and the diverse business ventures she and her family have undertaken. Together, they emphasize the integration of land, animals, and community in sustainable farming.

In this episode of the Acres USA podcast, you will hear Will and Jenni Harris’s Keynote presentation from the 2021 Eco-Ag Conference. Will and Jenni share the story of White Oak Pastures and how it was started. They discuss the transition from conventional to regenerative farming, the importance o...

08/05/2024

Spotting the Right Problem
By Acres U.S.A.

Q: How can you manage tar spot in corn?

[Find the answer to this question in this small article on our Members Site, Link Below]

Q: How can you manage tar spot in corn?

08/03/2024

🚨🚨 New Youtube Video is Live!!🚨🚨

Taylor and Weston from Acres U.S.A. visited the Mob grazing king himself Greg Judy. They got to go on a tour of one of his farms, and got to be a part of one of their large paddock moves. Greg brings a wealth of knowledge to our audience about grazing cattle and other animals as well. He has a large following on youtube and is also an established author. Acres U.S.A. also released a podcast recorded with Greg on site at his farm, that goes into more detail about how he got started in his cattle farming journey. Enjoy this video!!

Taylor and Weston from Acres U.S.A. visited the Mob grazing king himself Greg Judy. They got to go on a tour of one of his farms, and got to be a part of one...

08/02/2024

View from the Country
by Acres U.S.A.

While I’ve always been a lover of nature, I’m not a birder. I’ve got the major categories down — owl, duck, bluejay, swallow (or is it a sparrow?), etc. — but I usually rely on my wife to identify them any further. The exception was the other day when we saw a new duck on our pond and I googled “small duck with mohawk” into my phone and came up (correctly) with the hooded merganser, to her great astonishment.

[Read the Rest of this article in the Link Below]

While I’ve always been a lover of nature, I’m not a birder. I’ve got the major categories down — owl, duck, bluejay, swallow (or is it a sparrow?), etc. — but

08/02/2024

Book of the Week alert: "Voices from the Soil".

Long overdue, this collection of timeless Acres U.S.A. interviews includes 25 diverse voices who sparked a movement still rapidly growing today around the world: organic, eco-agriculture. In 1976, when the first interview in this book was recorded, only a few lone voices in the agriculture industry could be heard teaching about soil health, holistic land and animal management, and this wild idea of organic farming. More than 45 years later, when the last interview in this book was recorded, the organic food industry had rocketed into the billions of dollars and a new progression of regenerative agriculture was starting to sweep the world. These pages include 25 free thinkers whose ideas and actions were fundamental in this continued evolution in favor of soil health and human health.

Head over to the bookstore today to grab a copy!

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/voices-from-the-soil-1

08/02/2024

The countdown is on! Only 10 days until our Intro To Organic Field Day event. Register today to secure your spot!

https://bit.ly/acresfarrmsevent

https://bit.ly/acresfarrmsevent

07/31/2024

Both-And: Achieving Reproductive and Vegetative Growth
John Kempf

There are some nutrients that drive strong vegetative growth, and there are others that drive strong reproductive development. And some of the nutrients in each category interact with and synergize different groups of plant hormones.

Growers can apply specific nutrients in order to synergize specific hormones and antagonize others. They can shape how plants trigger reproductive bud development and fruitwood development. By doing this, they can produce trees and plants that maintain good vegetative growth while also producing high-quality reproductive growth.

[Read the rest of this article on our Members Site, Link Below]

By managing specific nutrients — particularly calcium — growers can produce high-quality reproductive growth while still driving strong vegetative growth

07/29/2024

The Most Important Livestock in Our Fields
Gary Reding

When I was in high school trying to determine what I wanted to study in college, my dad, who was an engineer with very logical and linear thinking, told me, “Begin with the end in mind.” He coached me to think about where I wanted to live, what I wanted to do once retired, how much it would cost, and what I would have to do to make a living and save for retirement. Did I want to get married and have kids? What kind of house? How many kids? Did I want to enjoy my work more or focus more on making money? We talked about these and many other aspects of living life in this world.

He said, “Think about all the steps it takes to make that happen at the end of your career, and work your way back, step by step, all the way back to today, and that will help you decide what you want to study in college.”

[Link to article on Members Site Below]

Enlisting soil microbes to help prevent plant disease

07/26/2024

View from the Country
Acres U.S.A.

Tensions often exist between groups that share principles but that emphasize these principles differently. Everyone believes, for example, that both proper diet and sufficient exercise are important for personal health. But some groups/organizations focus on what one should or shouldn’t eat (e.g., vegetarians, paleo, etc.) and some prioritize exercise regimes (Crossfit, marathoners, etc.). There’s no inherent contradiction between the two, and memberships often overlap, but our tendency is to join one camp or the other.

[Read the rest of this article: Link to article on Members Site Below]

Tensions often exist between groups that share principles but that emphasize these principles differently. Everyone believes, for example, that both proper

07/26/2024

"The Art of Balancing Soil Nutrients" by William McKibben is the Acres Book of the Week!

A practical guide to interpreting soil test results for farmers and other stewards of the earth wanting to understand what nutrients are available to plants and learn how to more effectively grow crops, turfgrass and other plants. This book, written by an experienced soil consultant, gives real-world advice about how to decipher the jungle of numbers found on soil and water test reports and shows how to comprehend what the numbers mean for your crop. McKibben gives clear, easy-to-understand information about how to choose the most appropriate testing protocol based on your specific soil type so you can develop an effective action plan and get the most out of your soil.

Head on over to our bookstore and use code BALANCE30 for 30% off!

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/the-art-of-balancing-soil-nutrients

07/24/2024

It’s the Lowest Brix That Counts
Acres U.S.A.

Q: How do you control corn earworm in sweet corn?

Find John Kempf's Answer to this question in the article below!

Q: How do you control corn earworm in sweet corn?