BEYOND AGROFORESTRY
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BEYOND AGROFORESTRY Using a diversity of resources and a low tech approach to develop sustainable enterprises on rugged land, previously considered useless, in a state ranked 50 th in commerce Fred Hays, Divergent Natural Interests, West Virginia
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BEYOND AGROFORESTRY. Using a diversity of resources and a low tech approach to develop sustainable enterprises on rugged land, previously considered useless, in a state ranked 50 th in commerce. Fred Hays, Divergent Natural Interests, West Virginia. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of BEYOND AGROFORESTRY
BEYOND AGROFORESTRY
Using a diversity of resources and a low tech approach to
develop sustainable enterprises on rugged land, previously considered useless,
in a state ranked 50th in commerce
Fred Hays, Divergent Natural Interests, West Virginia
Fred Hays 304-548-7117
• M.A. From Marshall University • Certified Holistic Management Educator• District Conservation Supervisor• SARE projects in Aquaculture & Agro-forestry• WV Ginseng Growers Association, Founder• Center for Sustainable Resources, Inc.• Divergent Natural Interests, Owner
About the Speaker
Divergent Natural InterestsElkview, WV304-548-7117
• D.N.I. is a family farm• 150 acres of rugged,
mountainous, terrain - mostly wooded
Resource Base• Great biodiversity• Over 100 species of trees • As many as 2800 different species of plants • Non-brittle environment
with consistent moisture
and water• Rural customers • Skills & education
Managed Resources• Livestock are used as a
tool through grazing, animal impact, and herd effect.
• Vegetation is controlled without machinery.
• Poor areas are treated with animal impact to improve soil biodiversity.
• Garden areas are hoof- plowed in late winter simply by concentrating animals and feeding hay.
Living Organisms as Tools
• All of our enterprises are based on using the labor of living organisms.
• For example, mushroom production utilizes fungal organisms.
Solar Dollars
• Stored organic solar resources are different than paper dollars in that organic currency sustains life.
• Again, the labor in this picture was done by living organisms.
AQUATIC ENTERPRISES
Fish as Tools• Fish, like other livestock,
can be used as a tool for altering the environment
• “Grass Carp” or White Amurs are not only more effective than chemicals but also less expensive.
• Grass Carp nearly always succeed where chemicals almost always fail in producing the desired result.
Fish Production & Sales
• Largemouth Bass• Bluegill• Hybrid Bluegill• Channel Catfish• Goldfish• Koi Carp• Grass Carp
Grown in pond culture in ten ponds on the farm.
Game Fish
Ornamental Fish
Pond Stocking & Consultation
Aquatic Plants
Grass Carp & Pond Management
A large part of the aquatic business has become consultation for managing aquatic vegetation through natural methods.
AGROFORESTRY ENTERPRISES
Forest Organisms as Tools
• High quality hardwood production can be increased as much as ten fold if organisms and the solar regime are manipulated correctly.
High Quality Trees
Potential crop trees are chosen and released for accelerated growth.
Culls are removed and grape vines are kept from reaching canopies.
Wood Products
Culled trees are used for lumber or firewood.
Shiitake Mushrooms
• Shiitake mushrooms were grown on the farm utilizing our abundance of oak logs.
• The mushroom logs still produce but crops are no longer marketed as they failed testing guidelines.
Under-Canopy Crops
Woodland Herbs
on this farm are in great diversity because crops are naturally produced yet manipulated for favor.
Other Woodland Crops
• Dozens of medicinal plants are readily marketed from
our forest.
• Black Cohosh is growing in value.
Ginseng, the most valuable crop on the farm,is carefully monitored and managed.
Ginseng
WILD PRODUCTS
• Wild Berries,• Mushrooms, • Wild Game, &• Nuts, etc. are all
part of our “whole.”
Wildlife as a Tool
Smooth Chanterelles
Oyster Mushrooms
Chicken of the Woods
Wild Roots
Wild Game
OTHER ENTERPRISES
Cattle as Tools
Livestock were meant to eat vegetation-not just grass. We take advantage of animal impact to improve the land.
Another Tool
Natural BeefHealthy Land & Healthy Livestock
Custom Knives
Trade Shows
Other Living Organisms at Work
And One Not at Work
OUTREACH
• Center for Sustainable Resources, Inc. - nonprofit that hosts field days & training events.
• West Virginia Ginseng Growers Association -developed legislation to protect this emerging industry.
Fox News
Traveling West Virginia
Cash & Treasures
The Travel Channel
Seed available at discounted prices
Ginseng Seed Bulk Purchase Program
WVGGA
Resource Management Consultation
For more info:
Fred Hays
(304) [email protected]
Fish & Pond Stocking Agro-forestry ProductsWVGGA Ginseng Seed Natural BeefCustom Knives Resources Management Consultation
“Diversity is key.”
