Growing food using Biodynamic, Regenerative, and Organic methods, improving soil health to give back more than we take, making plants stronger to deter pests and disease, keeping livestock as part of a healthy ecosystem, foraging for edible and seasonal foods, and only taking what we need so that there is always something for others. This is aimed at helping climate change, reducing our impact on the planet, being more self-sufficient, and leading a healthier and happier life.
As well as Grow Sustainably you can also go to Eat Sustainably and Live Sustainably.
What Does It Mean to Grow Sustainably?
Biodynamics
Biodynamics is a regenerative, sustainable, and organic form of agriculture that aims to give back more than it takes. It’s about farming in a way that is ecological, ethical, and as part of nature with the knowledge that everything is connected. Demeter is the brand for certified products from biodynamic farming.
Why Biodynamics?
- Biodynamics was born from the knowledge that humans have degraded the land
- Biodynamic farms are not polluted with artificial fertilisers and chemicals
- Soil is regenerated and improved, a critical part of reversing global heating
- Healthy soil reduces flooding, drought, and fire hazards
- Biodynamics uses a diversity of microlife, plants, and animals to create resilience
- It’s about creating the right habitats so that plants and animals thrive
- More nutritious food, 35% more birds, and 23% more insects
- Biodynamics is about farming with the sun, moon, and cosmos
- Biodynamics is low-cost, low-tech, and can be practised by everybody
- The aim is to give back more than we take, to improve food as well as the planet
Biodynamic farming is about working with all elements, together, from soil, forests, meadows, wetlands, and cultivated land, to flowers, shrubs, animals, and people. It’s about supporting the health and wellbeing of the whole.
Biodynamics is a higher standard than organic. Biodynamics is about creating the right habitats so that plants and animals thrive and this results in more nutritious food.
Biodynamics sees GMO’s as a real threat to human health and the environment.
In Biodynamics, soil fertility is of critical importance. Healthy soil creates a healthy ecosystem and improves the nutrients, flavour, and aroma of food. Biodynamic preparations, made using herbs, minerals, and cow manure stimulate and improve soil life, in a natural and balanced way.
Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative Agriculture increases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves the land’s ability to drain water into streams and rivers, and enhances ecosystems. It aims to capture carbon in the soil and plants (biomass), reversing the amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere that is one of the causes of climate change. The added benefit of Regenerative Agriculture is that it increases the amount of crops that can be grown, creates a resilience to climate instability, and increases the health and vitality of farming and rural communities. Kiss the Ground are awakening people to the possibilities of regeneration.
The Six Principles of Regenerative Agriculture:
- The least disturbance of the soil
- Allow nature to do what it’s been doing for 500 million years
- Give soil some armour
- Integrate animals into a natural ecosystem
- Increase biodiversity
- Every farm is different
Regenerative vs Sustainable: This is an important point. I am advocating growing, eating, and living sustainably. But, that doesn’t mean sustaining the way we live today. It means living in a way that can be sustained forever. That means giving back more than we take out, which means regenerating.
Read More About Regenerative Agriculture
Organic Farming
Organic farming is about producing food and drink without the use of dangerous chemicals or artificial fertilisers. It’s about producing food that is high-quality, full of nutrients, good for people, and good for the planet. Soil Association is the charity that digs deeper to transform the way we eat, farm and care for our natural world.
Why Organic?
- If Europe’s farmland was organic, agricultural emissions could drop by 40-50% by 2050
- Organic milk and meat contains around 50% more beneficial omega-3
- Organically produced cereals, fruit and vegetables have up to 68% more antioxidants
- Organic foods do not contain dangerous chemicals
- Plant, insect and bird life is 50% more abundant on organic farms
Organic farming is about farming with nature, without the use of dangerous chemicals.
Organic farmers create wildlife havens where beneficial insects help to control pests. It’s about creating a balance between plants, animals, and humans. A balance where insects and birds feed on pests such as aphids and slugs. One example is the beautiful ladybird; a deadly killer if you’re an aphid. Organic farmers plant trees, have beetle banks, wildflower margins, and ponds around their fields.
There is also more work that goes into crop management on an organic farm. How crops are rotated and the variety of crops that are used are another way to create diversity and resilience against diseases and weeds.
Organic is one of the highest welfare standards in the UK. It covers the conditions that animals live in, the food that animals eat, and how animals are transported and slaughtered.
Read More About Organic Farming
The Sustainability Roadmap
The Nafford Junction Sustainability Roadmap includes solutions to help stop climate change by growing, eating, and living sustainably. You can go to the Sustainability Roadmap or keep reading on this page to find the solutions that relate to growing sustainably:
Documentaries That Inspire Climate Change Action
Here we look at; The first video streaming platform dedicated to the future of our planet. It’s inspired me to help climate change.
Go to Documentaries That Inspire Climate Change Action
How to Find Out Your Carbon Footprint
Here we look at; Calculating Your Carbon Footprint; and How to Offset Your Emissions.
Go to How to Find Out Your Carbon Footprint
What Can I Recycle Near Me?
Here we look at; What Can I Recycle?; Is Plastic Recyclable?; Other Recycling Programmes.
Go to What Can I Recycle Near Me?
Save Water by Watering the Plants with a Watering Can and Rainwater
Here We Look at; Capturing Rainwater and Using a Watering Can.
Go to Save Water by Watering the Plants with a Watering Can and Rainwater
The Latest on Growing Sustainably to Help Climate Change
Here is a selection of the latest how tos, research, and advice to give you ideas of how to help climate change by growing sustainably. You can find all articles, pictures, and videos on the Nafford Junction blog.