Organic Farming Guidelines for Saha Astitva Eco Farm
For the harmonious integration of forests, fields and people. Providing grassroots solutions
to global challenges. 25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Table of Contents
Introduction ...... 1 Guiding Vision ...... 6 Building Good Soil ...... 8 Maintaining Good Soil ...... 10 Restoring Biodiversity ...... 14 Planting ...... 17 Managing Diseases and Pests ...... 20 Workshop 1: Agnihotra ...... 21 Workshop 2: Building Topsoil from Clay Soil ... 24 Workshop 3: How to store seeds ...... 26 Workshop 4: Planting Calendar and Plant ...... 32 Workshop 5: Organic Microbe Starter Recipes .. 34
Workshop 6: Biological Pest Contol ...... 36 Appendix 1: Operations Management ...... 50 Workshop 7: Connecting with the Farm Spirits . 46 Appendix 2 Snakes as Friends of the Farm ...... 52 Appendix 3: Farm Map ...... 53 Appendix 4: Experiments ...... 54
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Forward – Welcome to the promise of a new future
Three years in the making so far, the Saha Astitva Eco-Farm is a journey into the unknown with numerous challenges and adventures. When I left my comfortable Oxford house in the UK 5 years ago, I had no idea my journey would bring me to work in India on a project addressing some of the world’s most fundamental issues. The project is based on micro-farming in harmony with nature, with the holistic principles of interconnectivity and local village empowerment and sustainability at its core. The project aims to inspire a harmonious relationship between human habitation, agro eco-systems and forestry eco-systems.
The rich and multi-layered complex country that is India is a far cry from the orderly grey and cold of my native England. In England, until recently, the most talked about uncertainty on people’s minds, was the state of the weather. In India, a tropical landscape rich in cultural heritage and chaos, where nothing but the weather is certain.
The contrast between the two countries is stark: from 5 degrees C one day in the UK to 25 degrees the next in May. In India the daily temperature varies by a few degrees and the main contrast in conditions is certain: monsoon is wet; winters moderate and summer hot.
From mono-crop wheat grown using petrochemical fertilisers and pesticides for animal fodder by wealthy UK farmers on hundreds of acres, highly mechanised; to mono-crop rice paddy using petrochemical fertilisers and pesticides by the majority of poor Indian farmers on just a few acres, labour intense.
Ironically the price per kilo for grain is similar; Rice gets slightly more per kilo at Rs 14/kg ($0.28), compared to UK grown wheat at 15p/kg ($0.25). But the economies of scale are mind-boggling, when you consider hundreds of acres to just a few acres. But of course prices are different between the two countries. But that too is changing rapidly. In India, the rural unskilled labourer earns $3 per day (Rs 150 - Rs 200) as opposed to $90 per day (£7.50 per hour) for the minimum wage in the UK.
Petrol is now approaching Rs 80/litre ($1.60) in India and £1.40/litre in the UK ($2.20).
The Indian landscape, is fast becoming industrialised but thankfully, there is a target to double the 13% forest cover, although ancient trees are being rapidly cut to make way for ‘development’. In the UK most of the trees were cut and now areas are urgently being replanted and farmers paid by the government to leave natural spaces for the biodiversity to return;
At the Saha Astitva Eco-Farm, we are working with indigenous people who’s natural green living heritage is now recognized as sustainable practices.
My heart opens each day when our Warli adivasi (Scheduled Tribe) staff, 3 years into the work, greet me with a smile from the heart, the glimmer of hope in their eyes as they prefer to take on an alternative future to their prematurely-dead fathers; to provide for their young families without the requirement to migrate to the appalling lifestyle of Mumbai slums in search of ii
25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA a daily wage; instead to stay at home, keep their culture, revive their green ancestry and rekindle the basic human right of self worth. Their knowledge and skill is unrivalled when it comes to identifying tree species in the forest and the ability to hunt for food successfully armed with a simple slingshot. One has to question who will survive the unsustainable modern world, when fuel becomes too expensive for food grown in far flung places to move, governments and financial institutions collapse and everyone is held to ransom.
A sustainable farming project offers an alternative to this rather bleak picture. As an engineer, I have a feeling that natural farming in harmony with nature can be the most efficient provider of basic environmental resource requirements in the world.
Without considering food miles, climate change mitigation, or more nutritious food for our future long-term heath and vitality, we can consider more direct benefits. Natural farming can be deduced to be more efficient when assessed against productivity against inputs; the real cost of inputs. That is locally sourced animal wastes and biomass against globally sourced petroleum based products for fertilizer and pest control.
The difficulty in convincing the argument for food produced naturally is associated with false costs as opposed to real costs.
Food travels days to reach your plate, is grown with chemical fertilisers and pesticides and processed with multiple additives to maintain it’s healthy appearance. This food is heavily subsidized. You will never know the real cost of growing that food, or the real cost of the impact of that food. This type of food we can term unsustainable.
For example unsustainable food, is shown to lack vital nutrition and have chemical pesticide residues. This may lead to health problems in the long term requiring high medical bills and endless misery to sort them out. Hidden costs may be associated with climate change associated with food-miles or land cleared for mass cattle grazing; destruction of biodiversity and disappearance of species; heavily polluted water. Then there are the associated social costs of dealing with farmers that end up living in poverty or migrating to the slums, or looking after the families of those who get left behind following premature death.
The Saha Astitva Eco-Farm has an aim for our young tribal men to one day run this complete farming project and them to once again be confident enough to grow produce on their own farms without the use of chemicals. We are rekindling their forgotten techniques and learning both with them and from them.
Our future vision for this region, is that no top-soil in this area should be sold off to brick kilns for short term gain, as is the common practice. The local forests are no longer cut for the sale of unmanaged timber. The abundant ecology and economy of this region becomes regenerated as a rich biodiversity of trees, plants and field crops led by market demand for healthy produce. This in turn, with Gandhi-inspired village based food-processing, should provide a decent income for those that live here.
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Such an approach, not only improves wildlife, ecology and local healthy food supplies, but promises to safeguard future rural and city water supplies through protecting major watersheds. This is an essential environmental service that cannot be ignored for the rapidly expanding Mumbai area, which may reach 50 million in the next 10 years.
The guide is in a state of evolvement, and far from complete. Much will be added by future volunteers and staff in the years to come.
We outline some surprising techniques that have no place in the conventional scientific world. Come, experiment and be as pleasantly surprised as I was when I came to realize nature is much more complex and intelligent than the Western mind gives it credit for; we are indeed living in a multi-dimensional universe, energetic in nature and affected on a subtle level by our very intentions. Magic does exist and our farm offers a place to experience this. As a bonus you get to eat freshly cooked organic food grown in a pure land, with pure water, laden with vitality and hidden nutrition which will soon become the cells of your body. Your mind and lungs will clear and your heart will open.
Challenges lay ahead which require you to develop the spiritual attributes of allowing, non-attachment and surrender to the natural order of things; of knowing when to work and when to relax, when to push and when to let go and finally knowing our place and role in this ocean of evolving consciousness. We look to a future where all soils are naturally fertile, all water is clean and pure; all air is clean to breathe; global warming is under control and the vibrations that fill all space resonate at such a frequency we will question why it was ever any different. Choose farming as your dharma (calling in life) and never look back.
K. Uppendahl, Managing Director , Saha Astitva Foundation, Ganeshpuri, India.
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Forward: A Letter to the Future Farm Manager
I haven't met you, but I'm sure that my work and the work of many stages to rebuild the soil. In my opinion, the next great step others to build this guide book will have an influence on what you for you to take is to learn from other farmers and apply that might think about and what you might want to do on this farm. Let knowledge to the farm. This is not a time to feel shy or afraid me humbly offer you a few words of advice to help you start. that your inexperience in other cultures or languages is any excuse. This is a time to reach out, be seen, and to ask questions. Firstly, know that this guide book is incomplete. If there can never be a book entitled, "The Complete Guide to Farming", because If I had to give one more piece of advice, it would be to read this no one farmer can know everything. In other words, remain guide with a pinch of skepticism. Always ask, "why" and humble and in your heart and believe there is always something challenge back with a "why not". Break conventional wisdoms new to learn. Far too often the well-informed believes they know when you can, but also try to learn why they exist in the first best, all the while missing to realize the complexities of different, place. This will help you and others look for another way. My unique bioregions. hope is that you build on this guide and make it your own, as well as prepare it for the next person. My first advice is for you to recognize that you are surrounded by farmers who possess indigenous knowledge, that often does Of course, my best wish is to welcome you. No one knows the not readily present itself. Indian Ayurvedic herbal knowledge is future. also available in the wider community, that is centuries old. Your mission, possibly the hardest, is to explore this farming and At best, all we can aim to leave something behind for the next herbal knowledge that is fast disappearing and find within it person that continues this project to make the world a better whatever you think might help to advance organic farming. place.
My second advice, the easiest and possibly the most important, is Best regards, Saha Astitiva volunteer, the first compiler of this to make an effort to visit other organic farms. The Saha Astitva guide, April 2012 Eco farm is very new. It first started in 2009 and moved through
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The Saha Astitva Eco-Farm is located near • To research high value crops that maximise Ganeshpuri, within the Tansa River Valley, 30 km to earning potential of small-scale tribal landholdings the east of the Arabian sea and close to Mumbai, • To create chemical-free foods and medicines and Maharashtra, India. The farm started in 2009 on a provide access to high-value markets for clean piece of barren land that had lain unused for many organic food and medicines, particularly through years. The land is likely to have been a forest within co-operative approaches the last 100 years. The farm is on the edge of • To bring together like-minded non-political NGOs Reserve Forest in a tribal area. in a shared vision and inspire action • To inspire and encourage the education of holistic Saha Astitva supports the ancient Vedic way of environmental management and personal farming, based on natural principles, rich in heritage development for local children, the community and Introduction and unique in identity. To achieve these principles, a broad range of visitors as well as offering cross the Eco-Farm focuses on preserving the natural cultural exchange environment while restoring agricultural lands, We consider the forest, as a balanced ecosystem, a model for the farm. The Sanskrit words ‘Saha Astitva’ Purpose and Application mean co-existence and in our case the harmonious integration of agro and forestry eco-systems and Farming knowledge is gained from dedication to the human habitation. land, which cannot come from a book but from hands- on experience and work with Nature. The purpose of Objectives of Saha Astitva these guidelines is both to provide guidance on how to set up and manage an eco-farm based on our model or to use this guide as an introduction to managing the • To be a model of natural organic farming (demonstrating conversion from a barren land) and Saha Astitva Eco-Farm. sustainable living: self-sufficient and selling surplus crops leading to economic sustainability. Chapter 1 explains some of our guiding vision principles that guide the farm, through soil management, agni hotra, To incorporate eco-design, renewable energy, relationships on and off the farm and holistic sustainable efficient water and waste management practices farm management practices. • To encourage environmental resource provision. • To inspire regeneration of the area through green Chapter 2 explains soil management. At the heart of the livelihood creation: training in organic farming and farm is the creation of healthy, living soil, which we have value added food processing, low level eco- done through the application of animal wastes and tourism and sale of village crafts, cottage biomass. Chapter 3 focuses on the maintenance of the industries and forest-based jobs. rehabilitated soil. Chapter 4 considers increasing 1
25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
biodiversity as a way to restore disturbed eco-systems; lived sustainable lifestyles and historically their gods Chapter 5 explains our planting principles and Chapter 6 were based on nature. Over 20 years of using introduces the management of pests and diseases. All the chemicals on the farm land, and an increasing chapters are backed up with more detail which we have population putting a strain on forest resources, largely presented in a form for teaching as workshops and for sale as cooking fuel had led to a departure from appendices with additional complexity of detail. this heritage. They are famous for their art, which celebrates nature, village life and the tradition of Each farmer has his or her own needs, specific to farming. each community’s opportunities, constraints, and values, based on climatic conditions and market Combined with the close proximity to Mumbai and the
Introduction forces. These guidelines, although general, offer introduction of TV promoting consumerism, means direction in addressing common management lifestyles and attitudes are changing. There is challenges faced by farmers. The application of these pressure on the educated to work in urban factories or guidelines may have different practical results for migrate to Mumbai in search of making a living. Older each. men, historically farmers, stay behind and typically become heavy alcohol users. Poverty-deaths by Local social and ecological context alcohol or disease are common. Ending up in city slum dwellings brings worse conditions than they The area in which the farm is based faces serious have in the village and a huge strain on society. Most ecological and social challenges. Natural climatic villagers aspire to earn $3-$5 (Rs 150-200) per day. If extremes from extreme wet to extreme heat create this can be achieved in the rural environment then numerous growing challenges. Eight months of the numerous problems could be alleviated. year is dry with no rain, while over 2000 millimeters of almost continuous, heavy rains drop during the four- Saha Astitva aims to remind the local people of their month monsoon season from June-September. sustainable heritage, to empower them and to value March to May can see temperatures in excess of 40 the traditional farming methods that are still in their degrees C. Mainly the locals grow hybrid rice with memories. We do this by employing members of the chemicals in the monsoon and tur dahl on the mud local community and encouraging participation in the walls around the paddies. Other legumes can be farm management. One day we aim for our staff to planted following monsoon utilizing the moisture from manage the farm completely. We are encouraging low the paddy fields. level eco-tourism in the village. We are encouraging farmer training and environmental education in The people of the village in which the farm is located partnership with other NGOs. By researching high- are almost 100% Adivasi Warli tribals. They naturally value crops, by linking to markets, by getting the 2
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government to sponsor forest based jobs we aim for Forest as an a Model Ecosystem green economic regeneration of the area to take place. The topsoil of this farm will need several years of care before it becomes good as a living soil.
The soil on the farm and in the area, is mostly deep We can learn a lot about farming from the ecosystem clay soil, with some sand, compact, and there is little of a forest. For example, living soil in the forest is to no healthy, living topsoil. The soil just outside of protected by the shelter of the trees and the layers of the farm continues to erode due, in part, to the over- Introduction fallen leaves. It is from this example that we learn that grazing cattle and goats of nearby farmers, which we must cover the soil with mulch. We understand the threatens the soil life and plants that could otherwise soil must be protected from the wind, sun, and the offer to restore the soil. A considerable amount of impact of the drops of rain. top-soil has been sold to local brick kilns leaving infertile areas in the locality.
The farm is on the edge of a moist, tropical, deciduous semi-evergreen forest, on one side mixed in with an arid-environment (6 months) of the year. The forest is in a state of decline due to burning in the summer for hunting purposes, over-grazing and over consumption of timber and coppice for revenue generation. A forest conservation project is currently underway to protect this unspoiled area while enabling sustainable’ green’ development to take place.
Living soil has many micro-organisms.
The leaves that fall on the soil offer food for a life cycle of organisms living in and around the soil. A part of this cycle of life returns food back to the trees. In Soil has dried and eroded over many years. the same way, we have to restore this cycle of life and to nourish this cycle in our soil.
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Saha Astitva Farm Site Map
land’s slope leads to Reserved Forest directions and Mandagni hill
occasional northeast west wind Introduction winds come comes mostly at start of from the monsoon Arabian Sea
to Ganeshpuri sun’s westward N movement
For more information on the farm site map, go to Appendix 3: Farm Map.
25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Saha Astitva Eco-Farm Site Input and Output Model
extra hay, food for The goal is to get to zero waste, to return back to cow and manure for the land what originally comes from the land. soil. Aim is for self- sufficiency cow patty used
Introduction kitchen waste for Agnihotra meditation plastic waste goes to compost cow shed hut gets recycled or to feed cows cow feed from Agnihotra ash is kitchen cow urine and crops, weeds added to the field dung used as and weak plants fertilizer and pest harvest goes to control MOFCA CSA food for farm approaching self- potential to sell sufficiency value added- processed foods like lentils labour crop field solar power for bore well pump; back up from kerosene and some crop :.:. irrigation municipal; aim for goes to further barn . 100% solar manual some seeds are processing saved from field; aim is for all to outside electricity come from farm water stored in inverter – aim for complete solar 5
25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
General Operations Management Guidance is Guideline 1.3 included in Appendix 1. Incorporate subtle energies. Use the wisdom of Vedic Guideline 1.1 farming, where possible perform Agnihotra. This is 1 the burning of cow dung, rice and ghee with the
Build healthy soil. A good soil is a living soil and the rhythm of sunset and sunrise, supplying subtle fundamental difference between organic and chemical energies, balance, and resonating intentions to farming. If you have living soil, plants grow healthier. restore life. Perform Agnihotra every day, if possible. The biodiversity found in healthy soil produces much While farming can happen without Agnihotra, less disease and attracts fewer pests since many Agnihotra as an offering, brings balance to the farm. micro-organisms are constantly working to bring balance within the soil.
Guideline 1.2
Examine the structure of the soil. How does it smell? How hard is it? Does it smell full of life? Soil should crumble to allow organic life to explore and dig. Roots need room to grow, allowing air, water, and oxygen to Guiding Vision pass through and into the soil. Make sure topsoil is moist and crumbles easily between your fingers.
Agnihotra supplies subtle energies to restore balance and life.
For more information on how to perform Agnihotra, go to Workshop 1: Agnihotra..
Richer forest soil (left) compared to soil outside farm (right).
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Guideline 1.4 Guideline 1.6 1 Build a collaborative workplace with farm workers. Reduce the environmental impact as much as Show respect and work to empower them as equals, possible and become an environmental resource and seek opportunities to share and learn from each provider. other. Consider adding spaces on the farm for farm workers to feel a sense of place. Minimise the footprint of buildings on the farm through utilizing renewable energy and appropriate selection of materials for construction. Incorporate renewable or alternative energy systems and efficient water management for catchments, irrigation and domestic purposes. Be an example to the community, eg not cutting trees outside of the farm. Segregate and recycle all wastes. Minimise inputs to the farm.
Guiding Vision
The decision of where to dig circular beds was made easier after listening to suggestions offered by farm workers.
Guideline 1.5
Work to integrate the farm into the local community through built relations and shared interests. This could mean offering a place on the farm that shows local art Solar panels offer energy source to pump irrigation water. and culture. Saha Astitva gives local employment and livelihoods to the community.
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Guideline 2.1 Guideline 2.2 2 To build good soil from clay soil, you must turn the Tilling is a critical step in returning hard clay soil to a topsoil into a more crumbly structure. This can be good soil structure. This creates space for air and root done by tilling to open the soil, adding sand to growth and to turn in biomass. Avoid plowing on increase pores, and mixing in large amounts of heavily watered soil since it is more difficult to work organic matter – especially gober (manure) - to feed with wet, compacted soil. Once the soil is healthy, and improve habitat for bacteria and other organisms. avoid digging deeply since the topsoil has sensitive microbes and plant structures living on the soil. Building GoodSoil
Compost with amrit pani offers organic materials to start soil.
A word to the wise: if you choose to mix sand into Hand tilling works better than bulls at preserving topsoil life. the clay soil, the wrong amount and texture mixed with clay could make the soil harder. Plowing with a bull or tractor will compact the wet soil, causing existing pores to close even more. Use hand For information about how to build topsoil, go to tilling methods such as double-dig, power-tiller, and Workshop 2: Building Topsoil from Clay Soil. hand tools such as the broadfork to open the soil. There are more gentle methods to till, such as using For more information about microbe starters, go to worms and deep root plants, but this will take a longer Workshop 5: Organic Microbe Starter Recipes. time. 8
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Guideline 2.3 Guideline 2.5
2 Gypsum, a rock powder with calcium sulfate, can be Rather than battling weeds, consider turning weed added (about10 lbs of gypsum into a 100-square-foot into helpers. One step could be to use existing weed of soil) to clay soil beds every four or five years. This and perennial crops to restore the land. Various weed improves soil structure, aeration, and flow of water species will help to bring up minerals to the subsoil deep into the soil. Gypsum works well with the sodic and to open pores for microbes to live with its roots, soils found widely in Maharashtra’s semi-arid climate. provide habitat for creatures to help in pest control,
Guideline 2.4 and vines and shelter to protect the soil from the sun.
Spread amrit pani (compost tea) to start and enhance micro-organism life in soil and on plant leaves.
Building GoodSoil
Each weed that thrives tells something about the soil.
A word to the wise: look at the kind of weeds
growing to tell you what your soil needs. For instance, Cows offer ingredients to make amrit pani that help to feed the in compact clay soil you find weeds with large, single microbes on the topsoil. thick roots that seem determined to dig deep to de- compact the soil and bring minerals up. For more information about how to prepare amrit pani, go to Workshop 5: Organic Microbe Starter Recipes. For more information about weeds as helpers, go to Workshop 6: Biological Pest Controls. 9
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Guideline 3.1 Guideline 3.2 3 Regularly return organic matter using “green” manure Protect the soil with shelters (e.g. trees, mulch, and (like young leaves) or brown compost (like straw, other plants) and limit animal grazing during the dry
shredded barks). For example, return rice straw to the summer and winter seasons to allow less water to soil. Once the rice has grown, cut, bend or break the evaporate, reduce the hot temperature, and offer straw to return the plant life as mulch. Some of what more shelter for soil life. grows on its own can be used for animal feed. Insects will cut (eat) this straw into smaller pieces. Fungus continues to transform straw into smaller organic matter. Worms eat this organic matter to create more living soil. Veteran farmer Bhaskar Save declared that man is entitles to 10-15% of the plant, while the rest belongs to nature.
Mulch, trees, and other plants help to shelter the soil. Maintaining Good Soil Good Maintaining Guideline 3.3
In hot, moist conditions, organic matter nutrients begin to mineralize. Keep an eye on how fast vegetables Return rice straw back to land to protect the soil. grow since plant growth will speed up. Think about
A word to the wise: consider that while brown adding more organic matter to restore the quickly compost makes a good shelter for the soil, it is also spent organic matter. slow-breaking and feeds on nitrogen, thus requiring more work to return nitrogen to the soil.
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Guideline 3.4
3 Use as much mulch as possible before monsoon. Adjust thickness of the mulch to fit the temperature. Some seed and plants can only grow within a
moderate temperature range. If weather is hot and dry, add mulch to slow evaporation. If cold, reduce mulch to allow for more sunlight. During monsoon, mulch can also help to absorb water.
Guideline 3.5
Water on or just under mulch, where possible. This will allow the water to be more available and last longer for a longer time on top of the soil. Over-watering on clay soil will harm life in topsoil. Guideline 3.6 Guideline 3.8 Use care and judgment when you water. If you water too little, then the water will seep less into the soil and Build drainage systems to prevent plants from being will evaporate more quickly. But also take care to submerged in water during monsoon or from human avoid overflowing the soil with too much water since error during dry seasons. Except for rice, too much the soil will become compact. water destroys the pores in the soil and restricts the oxygen needed for micro-organism and plant life. Maintaining Good Soil Good Maintaining Guideline 3.7 Guideline 3.9 Build vegetable growing areas so that watering and harvesting happens without having to step on the soil. Always make sure plots have proper drainage. If too Never step on moist or over-watered areas during the much rainfall and puddles drain too slowly, consider dry seasons. If you step on this topsoil, the pressure growing plants on raised beds. If too little water is will close the pores in the soil and press down on the available, conserve water by using the plastic bottle soil to make it more compact. irrigation method or the shallow water bed method introduced by Warli farmers to encourage deeper rooting than with surface watering.
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Guideline 3.10 adding tree on the bunds since their deeper roots also 3 help to return water to the aquifer system. Recognize the slope of the land will affect the drainage of the soil. If the soil is badly protected, the Guideline 3.12
monsoon rains will drain away the loose topsoil. Where possible, choose to use a watering-can before Guideline 3.11 other watering methods. This will allow you to more gently water and to closely identify which plants and Build bunds (row of small hills) around fields and soil issues need more attention. Use hand-holding of crops to capture and store rainwater. Some of this the water-pipe, second; then the sprinkler, third; and captured water will add to the water in the drip method, last in order since infrastructure and underground aquifer system. technical skills increase with each new watering step.
Maintaining Good Soil Good Maintaining
Hand watering is best watering way to observe problems. Drip irrigation works well with many plants and clay soils. A word to the wise: tomatoes, cucumber, Also add plants to the bunds to help to store this water cucurbits, and chowli are sensitive to fungus disease aquifer system and to build the living soil. Consider when a sprinkler is used. Drip irrigation works best for these vegetables and is good for watering on clay soil. 12
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Guideline 3.13 Guideline 3.16 3 Never cut or pull out trees, shrubs, plants, or weeds with deep roots before monsoon. Plant roots hold the Consider building two separate types of compost: soil together by preventing soil from compacting, worm compost and food compost. Food compost
retaining pores, and helping to absorb the rainfall. requires 50-60 oC temperature and allows for larger food particles, while worm compost requires Guideline 3.14 decomposed, small particle foods at a cool temperature. Worm compost provides very good Plant as many trees, shrubs, and plants with deep organic nutrients for plants. The best time to add roots as possible before monsoon. These plants will worm compost comes when planting a nursery and protect topsoil from washing away during the when caring to restore weakened or diseased plant. monsoon season.
Guideline 3.15
Rotate the same family of crops to different plots every season and every year. This tricks diseases and pests that usually targets one group to go elsewhere. Proper crop rotation also helps to return various nutrients to the soil. Where possible, rotate crop between alliums to legumes to cucurbit to nightshade crop. Brassicas and legumes can be added at any time. Always plant legumes before a grass crop (e.g.
Maintaining Good Soil Good Maintaining rice and wheat).
For information about planting and soil experiments the farm might work on, go to Appendix 4:
Experiments. Worm compost helps when transplanting seedlings.
A word to the wise: gober (cow manure) makes a good food for worms.
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Guideline 4.1 Guideline 4.2 4 Biodiversity is recognized in Agnihotra through the The cow is very important to a farm. In ancient times, sattvaguna (balanced subtle energies), mostly passed people believed that cows had subtle, healing along from the cow. Working with as many animals, energies (sattvaguna). Cows provide urine and trees, flowers, and crops as possible will help to bring manure to help with compost, worm compost, amrit more diverse life, richer the soil, less pests and pani, Agnihotra ash, and building materials. diseases, and stronger plant life to the farm.
Biodiversity
Restoring Diluted cow urine helps to repel insects. Bird posts placed in the field attract birds to watch for insects. Sattvaguna is only possible if you protect the cow. For best health, provide at least two feedings a day, enough food and water, a good rest place, and let them to walk as much as possible. While green grass is the best feed, it is easier to find straw, weeds, and leftover fruit peels. Keep the cow shed clean and treat them as a member of the family farm – not as a tool.
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Guideline 4.3 Guideline 4.5
4 Each plant, where possible, should support many Use the edges, where possible, since such other plants and natural system elements. Each plant environments tend to have more pioneer-plants and
should also offer more than one function (e.g. shade micro-organic life. The edge is a place where two for other plants, mulch, food, or to repel insects). ecologies meet, such as the forest and the farm.
RestoringBiodiversity Babul tree (acacia) offers shelter, shade, permeable roots, Trees, shrubs, and plants along the edges attract biodiversity, microbial life, nitrogen, and its leaves help repel insects. act as wind and sun breaks, and offer shade for soil life.
Guideline 4.4
Experiment with different tree, shrub, flower, and places to attract wildlife and placements along the field edges and buffer fences, between crops, and intercropping within crops.
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Guideline 4.6 Use a pond on the farm to attract biodiversity, control
4 pests (with frogs), wildlife habitat, and heat store. Trees can provide timber, food, bio-fuel, mulch, and
local crafts products, as well as provide homes for wildlife habitat. Use tree belts as shelters for vegetables and grain crops, allowing the leaves to fall as mulch and fallen branches for wood chip compost.
Biodiversity
Pond adds biodiversity to the farm.
Guideline 4.9
Set aside wild spaces for wildlife with no human intervention. Work with nature here. For example, Agroforesty alley cropping combines trees with agriculture. allow the resident snake a place to rest and hunt.
Restoring Guideline 4.7 For more information about snakes, go to Appendix 2: Snakes as Friends of the Farm. Consider adding a bee colony to the farm and encourage butterflies. Bees, wasps and butterflies Guideline 4.10 help as pollinators. Bees offer honey and wasps repel insects. If you build a beehive, put it close to perennial Just a few weeks before monsoon, the temperature plants that need less frequent maintenance, weed gets very hot and the leaves begin to fall. Nature control, or pruning. needs time to do nothing. Consider this a rest period. Guideline 4.8 Do nothing and grow nothing.
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Guideline 5.1 Guideline 5.3
5 Work with plants that work best with or add nutrients Consider the appropriate bio-time (right time of day to this soil, especially those that counter the effects of and season) to plant, which helps to prevent diseases clay soil (e.g. deficiency in nitrogen and phosphorus, and numerous growing and pest problems. For but high in phosphates and nitrates). example, bindhi and gourds grow best in December and January, while tomatoes grow best during winter. Guideline 5.2
When selecting plants to plant, consider selecting Guideline 5.4 plants based on the season, species, quantities wanted, maturity time, and market popularity. Gather and store seeds from your own farm, if at all Planting possible. These seeds are specifically adapted to your unique climate and soil. This process of gathering and storing usually takes about four planting generations.
Food box customers influence crop planting decisions by demanding more choices and higher quality.
A word to the wise: Organize farm work closest to Meet other farmers to exchange seeds and farming advice. the farm house for those things that need the most attention or frequent visits (e.g. planted herbs or For more information about seed storage, go to compost closest to the kitchen to drop off food waste). Workshop 3: How to store seeds. 17
25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Guideline 5.5 Guideline 5.7 5 Meet other organic farmers to discuss ideas for To transplant potted plants, prepare wet soil in a pit, planting experiment and tips on ways to collect and add Agnihotra ash to the soil around the roots, and
store seeds. Never use chemically treated seeds transplant once plant is out of its container. Never because they are designed to resist even friendly- transplant during the heat of the day. Early morning or fungus as pests, further damaging life in the soil. close to sunset is best. Water immediately after.
Guideline 5.6 Guideline 5.8
Transplant potted plants only when you can easily pull When sowing, provide enough space between plants. Planting out the entire plant without difficulty and the root If plants are too close, they compete for nutrients, get system is well-established. Take special care to avoid fungus diseases, and grow smaller. Pull out plants disturbing the roots since the roots are sensitive and that are too close for nearby plants grow healthier. any shock during the process might cause the young Since nightshades (especially tomatoes) and plant to die. cucurbits (especially cucumbers and lady finger) are highly susceptible to fungal spores, give them room to breathe and avoid directly watering the leaves.
Transplant potted plants when roots are established. Provide enough space between plants. 18
25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Guideline 5.9
5 Try companion planting with trees, shrubs, climbers, and ground cover, where possible. Each plant works
in the same area to find its own requirements. Planting
Three sisters method combines corn, beans, and cucurbits.
Guideline 5.12 Each companion plant seeks to fit into the system Humic acids - which are produced when organic Guideline 5.11 matter degrades - work in clay soil to protect the roots with mycorrhizae, especially at the time of planting. Experiment with companion planting to find different These inoculated plants are often more resistant to crops that work well together in close proximity. For soil-borne diseases and to the effects of drought. instance, the three sisters intercropping method often uses corn to provide deep roots and support next to Guideline 5.13 vine-growing beans that fix nitrogen, next to a cucurbit plant like pumpkins or cucumbers to draw water from To help a dying plant, add Agnihotra ash along with the surface and offer shade as mulch. compost to the soil near the base of the stem, and
For more information about planting times and optimal water with a mixture of water and ash. methods of sowing for each specific plant, go to Workshop 4: Planting Calendar and Plant. 19
25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
6 Guideline 6.1 For more information about organic pest controls, go Agnihotra seeks to bring a balance with Nature to the to Workshop 6: Biological Pest Control.
farm. This means attracting birds, animals, and other organisms as a source of natural pest controls. For Guideline 6.2 example, when the farm had a problem with aphids eating the chowli leaves, instead of using amrit pani Grow certain flowers and plants to repel insects. we experimented with a nature spirit session. This resulted in us adding more worm compost to help the plant grow, Nature found a balance. Ladybugs came to eat the aphids and the plant built its own immunity. The chowli returned stronger and healthier. Some farms such as Findhorn have built relationships with nature spirits. This is an interesting concept worthy of exploration: See Workshop 7 for info.
Cosmos repel insects and can be harvested.
Guideline 6.3
To discourage harmful nematodes that thrive in the clay soil, use both leguminous and non-leguminous plants as cover between seasons and over uncultivated crops.
Guideline 6.4 Ladybugs come to eat aphids. Cut weeds just or before the seeds begin to sprout. With this in mind, given the choice between taking Use the leftover weeds as mulch, but be sure there Managing Diseases and Pests and Diseases Managing direct action (e.g. applying 10-leaf recipe) or doing are no remaining seeds. If the seeds have sprouted, nothing to let nature find a balance, consider ‘doing use the leftover weeds to feed the as cows. nothings’ as your first option. Although, taking direct action does work best for fighting a fungus problem.
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Workshop 1: Agnihotra Duration
Set aside 20 minutes to discuss and teach the meaning and history of Agnihotra. Also take about 15 minutes to teach people how to prepare and burn the cow patty in the pyramid container. The Agnihotra chant will take less than one minute to be followed by about two to five minutes to allow the fire to stop.
Required Materials
• Copper pyramid of specific shape and size • Dried cow dung • Ghee (clarified unsalted butter from cow’s milk) • Whole grain raw brown rice • Timings of sunrise/sunset for your area Source: agnihotra.org
Objective What is Agnihotra?
Students learn about Agnihotra and how to perform Agnihotra. Agnihotra is a healing fire from the ancient science of Ayurveda. We can make changes in the atmosphere with Sanskrit mantras Learning Outcomes and fire prepared with specific organic substances, timed to the sunrise/sunset biorhythm. The fire is prepared in a small copper By the end of this session students will be able to understand: pyramid of specific size and shape. Brown rice, dried cow dung (manure) and ghee (clarified unsalted butter) are the substances • history and meaning of Agnihotra burned. Exactly at sunrise or sunset the mantras are spoken and a • performing Agnihotra fire; small amount of rice and ghee is given to the fire. There is not • methods of collecting and preparing cow dung for Agnihotra just energy from the fire; subtle energies are created by the rhythms and mantras. These energies are generated or thrust into Context the atmosphere by fire. This, in addition to the qualities of the materials burned, produces the full effect of this healing HOMA Ideally, meet at the center of the farm in a specifically designed (healing fire). Much healing energy emanates from the Agnihotra hut. Have students sit in a circle, on the floor with a Agnihotra pyramid. mat. Where possible, each student should have Agnihotra materials to look at and use.
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
How Agnihotra Helps Plants 3. After the Mantras have been uttered and rice offering given, it is best not to disturb the fire, due to the interplay of subtle The ghee is thrust into the atmosphere and attaches itself to the energies. If possible, avoid moving the pyramid until the molecular structure of the soil, allowing the soil to retain more next time you prepare Agnihotra. moisture. Plants grown in Agnihotra atmosphere are better able to withstand droughts. Agnihotra causes a change in the cellular 4. A larger fire using more dried cow dung amplifies the structure of the plant which sends more nutrients to the fruit of healing effects and produces more healing ash. the plant and less to the leaves, stem and roots. Many people have found that the size, taste, texture and yield of fruits and Starting the Fire vegetables grown in Agnihotra atmosphere are superior. Performance of Agnihotra in the garden reduces pest problems 1. Light the fire a few minutes before the scheduled time, so and organic gardening and farming are made easier by using the dung will be fully ablaze at Agnihotra time. Do not use Homa (healing fire) techniques. lighters (i.e. objects with lighter fluid) or gas stoves to start the fire. Medicinal properties of Agnihotra: Agnihotra renews the brain cells, revitalizes the skin and purifies the blood. It is the holistic 2. Exactly at the sunrise or sunset time shown on the computer approach to life. Many people who are normally allergic to timesheet (based on one specific definition of sunrise and smoke experience a healing effect by sitting in Agnihotra sunset) utter the Mantras and give the offerings of rice atmosphere. The healing effects of Agnihotra are locked in the mixed with a little ghee to the fire, after each Sváhá. Say the resultant ash. Thousands of people in different parts of the world Mantras once only. If you miss the timings you will not have experienced wonderful healings of all types of ailments by have the healing effect of Agnihotra. using Agnihotra ash. 3. After each Agnihotra try to spare as many minutes as you Building the Agnihotra Fire can for meditation. You can sit in silence at least until the fire extinguishes itself. Collect the ash (at the next 1. Spread a little ghee on each piece of dung. Place a small Agnihotra) and keep it in a container made of earthenware, piece of dried dung in the bottom of the pyramid. Add two glass or wood. small pieces in opposing corners. Continue adding pieces in alternating corners, using larger pieces as the pile grow). DO NOT keep Agnihotra ash in a container made of plastic or metals other than copper or gold. Agnihotra 2. To light the dung, spread ghee on a narrow piece of dung, ash can be used as fertilizer for plants or for making folk ignite it, and place it flame downward in the center of the medicines for animals and humans. In South America it is layers. The air flow will give you a fire that won't collapse called "miracle ash". as it burns. Be sure your fire is blazing enough to burn the rice and ghee quickly and completely.
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Agnihotra Mantras Collecting the dung At Sunrise: Sooryáya Sváhá (add the first portion of rice) 1. Use fresh manure from male or female progeny of cow. Use Sooryáya Idam Na Mama rubber gloves so that you can pick up the dung without Prajápataye Sváhá (add the second portion of rice) getting any dirt, grass or rocks in it. Prajápataye Idam Na Mama 2. Think good thoughts while collecting dung, as this heightens its healing effect. At Sunset: 3. Spread the dung about 1/2" thick on the screen. Agnaye Sváhá (add the first portion of rice) 4. Raise the frame up off the board for good air circulation and Agnaye Idam Na Mama place it in full sun. Prajápataye Sváhá (add the second portion of rice) 5. Keep the dung from getting wet and it should dry in about Prajápataye Idam Na Mama four days, depending upon your climate. When you think it's dry, break a thicker piece and check the inside. (á is pronounced as 'a' in father) 6. Dry dung sounds hollow when you tap it with your finger.
Rice Making Ghee
Use brown rice. Highly polished rice loses nutritional value. We 1. Ghee can be made on a stove on very low heat. On the stove, recommend organic grain. Only unbroken grains of rice should let the pan be about two inches above the source of heat. The be used for Agnihotra. If rice is broken, the subtle energy idea is that the butter heats very gently until all the white structure around the grain is altered; therefore the ash is not foam is cooked out and has risen to the surface. Whey suitable for healing. The amount of rice for each offering is the separates from the ghee, stays on the bottom of the pan and amount you can hold in your fingertips. looks like water. Ghee is the golden liquid. 2. The foam that collects on the surface can be spooned off and Drying Dung fed to animals. When the ghee has turned perfectly clear it is ready, and can be strained through cotton cloth, a coffee 1. Use 4 pieces of 2" x 2" x 36" lumber for each screen. filter, or three white paper towels. Be careful not to mix in 2. Nail them together into a square frame and cover with 1" any of the clear liquid that is on the bottom of the pan. chicken wire, 36 " wide, using wire staples to hold it down. 3. Once you have removed the ghee without including any of 3. Place a piece of fibreglass window screen on top of this the watery liquid, there will still be some ghee near the frame, but do not fasten it on. bottom of the pan which you do not want to waste. 4. Place this frame over a piece of plywood ( 32" x 32" ) cut to 4. Refrigerate what is left in the pan, and when the ghee has fit inside the 2 x 2's. This gives you a flat surface on which hardened you can break it off the surface and add it to the to spread the dung. next batch of ghee you make. Properly made ghee does not 5. Place the plywood up on cinder blocks or other raised need to be refrigerated. surface on which to work.
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Workshop 2: Building Topsoil from Clay Soil
Duration
This will take 10 to 14 days to prepare the soil.
Required Materials
• Hand-till or rotarvator • Agnihotra ash • Cow, goat, or sheep manure • Chopped, brown compost (e.g. wood) • water • amrit pani and water • straw mulch or other small leaves
How to Teach Objective Till the soil Students learn about healthy soil and how to build living soil. 1. Spread about 1-gram per square-meter of Agnihotra ash Learning Outcomes to topsoil before digging, to nourish the soil.
By the end of this session students will be able to understand: NOTE: Step 2 can be omitted if you plan to use the three sister’s approach, where plants can do the digging. • Living soil • How to build living soil from clay soil 2. Puncture the soil using a hand-till or rotarvator to a minimum of 20 cm (or deeper, if possible) and turn and Context break the soil clods. After digging, the soil will be raised about 10 cm above the ground. Bring students to an area that requires the rebuilding of topsoil on clay soil area. This lesson works with clay soil to prepare a NOTE: Some plant roots go down as deep as 1 meter, flat bed that is 0.75 meters width and a length of 5 meters, where depending on the plant. Once soil has loosened and people can water and harvest without having to walk on the soil plants deeply rooted, teach in the end about the need to bed. The length of the bed can be as long as needed. switch to a minimum-till system.
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Add Organic Matter Maintaining the Soil After Harvest
3. Add cow (2-5 cm) or goat/sheep (1 dropping thick) 1. Check the condition of the soil (e.g. smell, fungus, manure to the soil and add river sand (1 cm) . porosity).
4. Add 3-5 cm chopped, dry brown compost (e.g. wood). 2. Leave the plant and cut just above ground level, this keeps the root system useful for the porosity of the soil. NOTE: Omit Step 5if you plant to leave the soil alone for a long time before planting. 3. Remove the shelter layer and add 1-2 cm layer of gober, return shelter layer. 5. Mix all the layers on the soil by digging at least 15 cm with a pick-axe or garden hoe. 4. Add amrit pani and ash.
Watering the Soil 5. Keep weeds
6. Water the entire mixed soil bed but do not flood the soil. For best results, water slowly with a sprinkler or water When monsoon is about to come: pipe in a sweeping motion. 1. Keep mulch on the bed as protection. 7. Spread (1 teaspoon) amrit pani in (10 litre) water in a watering can and use 1 litre of for every square meter. 2. Build enough drainage around the beds
Shelter the Soil NOTE: Do not move the soil – no digging. If no root structure, plant deep rooted plants and capillary roots 8. Add straw mulch or smaller leaves to shelter the soil. In (weeds) in periods of drainage, when nothing is growing. the summer, mulch should be 1 cm thick. If winter, mulch should be placed ½ cm to cover the land like a thin layer to allow the sun to warm the seeds to sprout.
9. Leave 10 days to 14 days before planting to allow organic materials in soil to decompose. Be sure to check moisture every 2 to 3 days, watering where necessary.
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Workshop 3: How to plant, save and store seeds
Required Materials
• Hand-till or rotarvator • Agnihotra ash • Cow, goat, or sheep manure • Chopped, brown compost (e.g. wood)
How to Teach
Finding the First Generation Seeds
1. When you first purchase seeds, avoid “hybrid” seeds” since the results of hybrid replanting of seeds will be unpredictable. Heirloom (open pollination or village) seeds, on the other hand, will produce crops that yield seeds that Objective will reproduce the same plant year after year after year, observing cross-pollination control on certain species. Students learn about how to store and select seeds. 2. Before planting, soak seeds for 1 hour in amrit pani (or Learning Outcomes gober or cow urine) and Agnihotra ash to add extra nutrients.
By the end of this session students will be able to understand: 3. Make 1-3 cm hole (depending on seed) with finger or tool and add a pinch of Agnihotra to the hole, then plant seed. • Selecting seeds • Storing seeds NOTE: alternatively, you can throw seeds widely (broadcast) by hand along with a little bit of river sand or Context worm compost to prevent seeds from clumping together.
This lesson has students work with potted plants. 4. Water with amrit pani and Agnihotra mixture after planting.
Duration Selecting the Second Generation Seeds
This lesson can take 30 minutes. 1. After you have planted your seeds and the plants appear, do NOT collect seeds from a diseased plant because the disease 26
25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
will have infected that specific plant’s genes and all future However, in humid conditions, dry your seeds by placing plants grown from those seeds will be easily susceptible to them in the sun in front of a southern facing window for that same disease. about two days. Since there is no easy inexpensive method for measuring the exact moisture content of your seeds, you 2. Use the very best looking, strongest, and most productive will need to use your own judgment based on your personal plants in your garden for seeds. Generally, you are looking experience. Generally the drier the seed (but NOT below for plant that show early bearing of fruit, total fruit yield, 5%), the longer the seed will remain alive in storage. fruit size and flavor and aroma, and disease resistance. 3. When you first suspect that your seeds are dry enough, put NOTE: Resist the urge to eat your most desirable looking half of them into paper envelopes and label the envelopes vegetables. with the variety of seed and indicate how many days the seeds were dried. Continue drying the remainder of the seeds 3. After you have selected the fruits you want to keep for seed, for a few more days. Then put half of those seeds into paper identify them with a special marker such as a wooden stake envelopes and label them as your second drying with the beside the plant, or a ribbon or string loosely tied to the plant total number of drying days. or vine. Save seeds from at least three different plants of the same variety to provide good pollination opportunities the 4. After a few more days of drying put the remainder of the following spring. seeds into a paper envelope and label them as your third drying with the total number of drying days. When you test Drying Third Generation Seeds each envelope of seeds in future years, you can use this trial and error method to estimate the optimal number of drying 1. Allow seeds to fully ripen before harvesting to achieve the days for each type of seed based on your climate, and your best germination yield the following spring. The seed must humidity, and your average normal drying conditions. be given time to store enough nourishment so it can germinate the following spring and grow into a healthy 5. AFTER your seeds are dry, store your seeds in a standard seedling. small paper envelope, or a paper bag, or a cloth bag in a dry, cool area. 2. Seeds must be dried before they are stored (between 5% to 13% moisture content, with an average of 8%). Individual NOTE: Do NOT allow the seeds to remain in direct contact seeds should be separated from one another so they can dry with the air or they will gradually absorb moisture from the more evenly. Larger seeds will require more time to air dry humidity in the air with the passage of time. whereas smaller seeds will require less time. Storing Seeds NOTE: Do NOT try to dry the seeds too quickly or they may shrink and crack. And do NOT dry at a temperature higher than 100°F. Indoor air drying is usually the best.
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
1. After placing the seeds in a standard small paper envelope or 1. Each year you should gradually plant each variety of seed cloth bag, you can store that envelope or bag inside a over an extended period of several weeks. You should NOT sealable plastic bag. plant all your seeds of one variety at the same time. This reduces your risk of loss to late frosts and it provides a NOTE: Do NOT seal your seeds inside a vacuum plastic bag longer harvest period for fresh vegetables for the table. without air because seeds are living organisms and they need a MINIMUM amount of air to continue their life cycle. The 2. If you have seeds that are more than one year old which are BEST place to store seeds is in a sealable freezer bag inside NOT part of your “Seed Bank”, then your first planting the a refrigerator between 33°F to 40°F. This will more than following spring should be one-half of those older seeds. If double the storage life of your seeds. If no fridge is available you do NOT have any two or three year old seeds, then do store in a cool and dark place away from direct sunlight. NOT plant more than half your previous year’s seed the following spring. 2. Clearly label each of your seed envelopes or bags using permanent ink to identify the exact variety of seed and the 3. Save at least half of the previous year’s seed as an year the seed was harvested. Also include the number of “Emergency Seed Reserve” (in addition to your “Seed days the seed was allowed to dry, along with any unusual Bank”). Your “Emergency Seed Reserve” will allow you to weather conditions during the drying process, such as plant a second time that same year. Later during the spring unusually humid weather or unusually warm or cold weather or summer other problems may arise, such as heavy rains or during the drying process. no rains or insect damage, and these disasters could result in no crops to harvest in the fall. . Seed Bank 4. If you are forced to use your “Emergency Seed Reserve,” Most seeds can successfully germinate for three to five years then only plant half of them and keep the rest of the seeds in after harvesting, even if they are NOT stored in a refrigerator. It reserve. Always keep at least half of your remaining seed as is prudent to have your own “Seed Bank” into which you deposit an “Emergency Seed Reserve” for really hard times. This approximately 10% of the seeds you harvest each year. The means each future planting will be much smaller, but that is seeds in your “Seed Bank” are your insurance against much better than having NOTHING to plant at all. Because unpredictable future diseases that may sweep through your of unpredictable situations such as the above, each year it geographical area. They are also good insurance against an would be wise to harvest at least twice the amount of seed unexpected cross-pollination that produces a seed that is you think you will need the following year. This strategy different than you expected. In most cases you will not become will also provide you with seed to share, sell, or trade and it aware of this type of problem until harvest time the following will bring you one step closer to being an independent, fall. In this type of situation your “Seed Bank” will permit the re- resourceful human being in God’s natural order of things. establishment of the quality of your crops in future years.. . Emergency Seed Reserve
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
4. Place the damp paper towel inside a plastic bag and put it in a warm place. You can put several damp paper towels Preparing Seeds for Planting containing different seed varieties in the same plastic bag. Keep the paper towels slightly damp but NOT soaking wet. These suggestions are optional. 5. Periodically check the seeds based on the average 1. Place the seeds you wish to plant in the freezer compartment germination time for each type of seed. You can determine of your refrigerator for three hours. the “approximate” germination rate by counting the number of seeds that sprout and dividing by the original number of 2. When you remove the seed from the freezer the rush of seeds tested. warm air will help to break its winter dormancy. For example, if you tested 10 seeds and 8 of them sprouted, 3. Then place the individual seeds between two damp paper then the germination rate is 80% (8/10 x 100). towels for one day in a warm area. The seed is now in an optimal condition for immediate planting. 6. You can then plant these sprouted seeds in a peat pot indoors if the outdoor weather is too cold, or you can plant them in Spring Germination Test the ground if warm weather has arrived.
These suggestions are optional. You can test the viability of your seeds BEFORE you plant them in the ground.
1. Use a medium-tip permanent marker to write the name of the seed and the year it was harvested on a DRY paper towel.
2. Then dampen the paper towel and place ten seeds on one- half of the towel.
3. Fold the towel in half so the seeds are between the two halves of the damp paper towel.
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Workshop 4: Planting Calendar and - Water (monsoon and relationship to borewell and hosepipes/sprinklers), sun, shade needs Plant Information (in process) - Crop rotation and companion planting - Plant rooting systems (deep rooted, capillary, and Maintain good soil – don’t destroy topsoil in Paddy 12 by surface rooted) in relation to minimizing tilling and compacting with a bull for plowing or flooding ‘holding the soil in beds) - Which plants need the soil to be watered and what Plant digestive system is on the outside the plant (inside need the leaves and stem the soil). The worms take food from the top and digs into • Link to list of companion plants the clay soil and return humus to the top. Moisture maintains life. It is best to plant after the rice, to keep the SOWING TECHNIQUES soil active and moist. Optimal methods of sowing depend on each specific plant. Plants that need room for fruit or leaf matter to develop The growing year starts with the first rain of the monsoon. such as Brinjal, Tomato, Pepper, Broccoli, Cauliflower, For field preparation, decide what crop to grow (e.g. for Cabbage should be started from seed in individual rice) containers in the nursery and transplanted when root system has grown enough to be pulled out of the container Rice in one piece. Cucurbits (cucumber, squash, bhindi, melon), From rice to legume to vegetable vining/large bush beans, and corn should be direct seeded into the ground at spacing of 3-4 seeds every 18” (cucs) or If not growing rice, grow something to give to the soil. Local 12” (beans and corn) and thinned to one plant per group farmers should scatter tur 2 weeks before the rice harvest. before seedlings develop their third leaf (the first “true Tur is good for the soil. Provide boundary for the field. After leaf”). Two cucurbits can be left at each space, as they will tilling in the tur use amrut pani; Add vermicompost or worm vine and spread in opposing directions. Most leafy greens egg laden soil from under a banyan or tamarind tree. and root crops such as spinach, lettuce, radish, carrots and beats should be direct seeded in rows lengthwise down Farmers can grow hardy crops like millet, groundnut, rice, prepared beds, 3-4 rows per bed with about 6” between wheat and sugarcane (if wet). rows. Dig the rows (about 1” wide and ½” deep) and drop seeds thoroughly down them; lightly cover and water. Consider: When they sprout their first true leaves, thin the seedlings - Which plants need to be transplanted and which to one every 4” (for roots) to 6” (greens). Ground legumes need to be direct broadcast and grains beside corn can be broadcast sown. - Creating a planting map for the farm
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Biodynamic Agriculture
Biodynamic agriculture, originating with Rudolf Steiner, is a method of organic farming that emphasizes the holistic development and interrelationships of the soil, plants and animals as a self-sustaining system. Methods unique to the biodynamic approach include the use of fermented herbal and mineral microbe mixture that is added and sprayed on the field. It integrates farm animals with the plant production and uses an astronomical sowing and planting calendar. Most studies have found that biodynamic farms had significantly better soil quality than conventionally farmed soils.
For more information: Biodynamics Section at the Rudolf Steiner Archive, An Online Library. You can also find the biodynamic calendar and other interesting topics at the Bio-Dynamic Association of India.
We use a planting calendar each month in relation to the moon. This is available on the farm.
Planting Calendar
A more comprehensive planting guide is in production. Please contribute to this knowledge base and maintain growing records.
January February March April May June July August September October November December Green Leafy Vegetables Methi Methi Methi Methi Methi Methi Methi Methi Palak Palak Palak Palak Palak Palak Palak Palak Kothimbir Kothimbir Kothimbir Kothimbir Kothimbir Kothimbir Kothimbir
Dill (Suva) Dill (Suva) Dill (Suva) Dill (Suva) Dill (Suva) Dill (Suva) Lal / Lal / Lal / Green Lal / Green Green Lal / Green Green Lal / Green Math Math Math Math Math Math Mustard Mustard Mustard
Beans / Roots / Vegetables Gavar Gavar Gavar Gavar Gavar Gavar Gavar Gavar Dudhi Dudhi Dudhi Dudhi Karela Karela Karela Kakdi Kakdi Pumpkin Pumpkin Chawli Chawli Raddish Raddish Raddish Raddish Beetroot Beetroot 31
25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Cabbage Cabbage Onion Onion Brinjal Brinjal Brinjal Brinjal Brinjal Brinjal Brinjal Brinjal Bhendi Bhendi Bhendi Bhendi Bhendi Bhendi Bhendi Chillies Chillies Chillies Chillies Chillies Chillies Chillies Chillies Tomato Tomato Tomato Papdi Papdi Papdi (red) Padwal Padwal Tendli Suran Shirala Shirala
Fruits
Watermelon Muskmelon Papaya Muskmelon (Phoot)
Nuts / Seeds / Pulses Sesame Sesame Sesame (till) (till) (till) Groundnut Groundnut Groundnut Moong Moong Moong (monsoon) Tur Tur Urad Urad (winter) Chana Chana
Rice Wheat Wheat Nagli (Ragi) Jowar Jowar (monsoon) (winter) Maize Maize
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Workshop 5: Organic Microbe Starter Recipes
Duration
This lesson can take 45 minutes.
Required Materials
• Hand-till or rotarvator • Agnihotra ash • Cow, goat, or sheep manure • Chopped, brown compost (e.g. wood) • water • amrit pani and water • straw mulch or other small leaves
How to Teach
Have student prepare microbe starters. Use these recipes to Objective enhance the microbe life in the soil and on the surface of plants’
leaves. These recipes help when starting to prepare your soil, Students learn about microbes and microbe starter preparations. when inoculating plants before planting, and throughout the
season to improve the soil’s microbe life. Learning Outcomes
NOTE: Do not keep mixtures in a metal container since the By the end of this session students will be able to understand: combined liquids will corrode and react with the metal. Also
cover solutions with a muslin or fine cloth so that the common • Microbes and other organisms in living soil fly cannot sit on it and lay eggs. Remember to stir the content • Microbe starter preparations everyday for about 20 minutes each time to facilitate aerobic microbial activity. Context
Student will start in the field or an open space to discuss microbes in the living soil and their needs. Then students will prepare starters before spraying them on the soil.
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Table: Organic Microbe Starter Recipes
Name Ingredients Steps Amrut Pani/Jal (about 11 litres) 1. Mix all ingredients together and keep for 3 days. 2. Stir mixture 2 to 3 times a day, clockwise and counter-clockwise. 1 litre fresh cow dung 3. On 4th day, ready to use. 1 litre fresh cow urine 4. For use after 4th day, stir mixture at least once a day. 50 g black jaggery * 5. Dilute 1 litre mixture with 10 litres of water. 10 litres water
* substitutes for black jiggery: 6 over ripe bananas or 2 glasses of sugarcane juice or 6 pieces of over ripe jackfruit or other locally available over-ripe sweet fruit Panchagavya (about 20 litres) 1. Mix dung and ghee together and keep for 4 days. 6. Stir mixture 2 to 3 times a day, clockwise and counter-clockwise. 5 kg fresh cow dung 2. On the 5th day, add cow urine, cow milk (boiled, cooled, then added) 500 g cow ghee curd, jaggery with water (or sugarcane juice), bananas (mashed and 3 litres fresh cow urine mixed thoroughly) and coconut water. 2 litres cow milk 3. Wait for another 15 days, stirring twice daily. 2 litres cows curd 4. On the 19th day, ready to use. 500 g jiggery 5. For use after 19th day, stir mixture at least once a day. 3 litres water / sugarcane juice 6. Dilute 200 ml mixture with 10 litres of water to spray plants (or 1 litre of 1 bunch (12 nos.) ripe bananas mixture with 10 litres water for soil.) 3 litres tender coconut water 2 litres toddy *
* If toddy is not available, ferment 3 litres of tender coconut water in a pot for 1 week.
Workshop 6: Biological Pest Control Pests and recipes (in process)
Duration
This lesson can take 90 minutes.
Required Materials
• Hand-till or rotarvator • Agnihotra ash • Cow, goat, or sheep manure • Chopped, brown compost (e.g. wood) • water • amrit pani and water • straw mulch or other small leaves
How to Teach Objective Discuss with students the types of insects and diseases that affect Students learn plant and pest diseases and pest control recipes.. crop. Also talk about the types of weeds that grow in this soil and how they help. Discuss how you might dispose of unfriendly Learning Outcomes weeds such as the strangle weed. Discuss the benefits of planting
By the end of this session students will be able to understand: citalel, giant milkweed, karmj, neem, glycria, and nigunrdi plants to assist with pest control. • Plant diseases and pests • Pest control recipes 1. Have students walk around the field in groups to look for • Repellent insects and other biological pest controls biological pest controls. The teacher should discuss the • Repellent plants and friendly weeds ways Nature can help and the recipes that can help. 2. Students will build best control tools and discuss other Context ways to attract pest controls. 3. Students will make pest control recipes and spray them. Student will work in the field to identify pest controls using Nature. Students will make and spray pest control recipes.
25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Table: Insect Pests (In process)
Name Description Vegetables Solutions Cotton leaf hopper Both the nymphs and adults suck up the plant sap from the under all cotton growing Amrasca biguttula biguttula surface of leaves. The leaves show symptoms of “hopper burn” areas Ishida such as yellowing, curling, bronzing and sometimes drying up, and brinjal these symptoms are expressed differently depending on how the potato different varieties react to the toxic saliva of the insect. lady’s finger sunflower The female inserts about 15 eggs inside leaf veins and the incubation period ranges from 4 to 11 days. The nymphal period occupies 7 - 21 days depending on the weather conditions.
Cotton aphid Aphis gossypii The greenish brown soft bodied small aphids infest the tender Lady’s finger Glover shoots and the under surface of leaves in very large numbers and Brinjal suck the sap. Severe infestation results in curling of leaves, stunted Guava growth and gradual drying and death of young plants. Black sooty Gingelly mould develops on the honey dew of the aphids which falls on the lower leaves affecting photosynthetic activity. The Economic Threshold Level In a day a female may give birth to 8 – 22 nymphs which become (ETL) is 10% adults in 7 – 9 days. affected plants counted randomly.
Myzus persicae Adult apterae small to medium-sized, whitish green, pale yellow- Cabbage green, grey-green, mid-green, pink, red or almost black; rather Knolkhol uniformly coloured, not shiny. Alatae have a black central patch on Radish abdominal dorsum. Aphids collected on tobacco often pink or red. Antennae 0.62x as long as body.
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Name Description Vegetables Solutions Cotton whitefly Bemisia tabaci In cotton the nymphs are found in large numbers on the under Cotton Natural species of the B. tabaci (Gennadius) surface of leaves and drain of sap due to sucking. Severe Brinjal include several species of wasps, infestation results in premature defoliation, development of sooty lady’s finger bigeyed bugs, lacewing larvae, and Bemisia tabaci mould on honey dew excreted, and shedding of buds and bolls and hollyhock lady beetle larvae, which all prey on bad boll opening. safflower the nymphs of the whitefly. Achyranthes aspera The female whitefly lays the eggs on the under surface of tender Lab – lab niger One of the important tools for leaves. The egg and nymphal periods occupy respectively 3 - 5 Tapioca controlling the silverleaf whitefly and 9 - 14 days during summer and 5 - 33 and 17 - 73 days in population is through the usage of winter. The pupal period is 2 - 8 days. The total life-cycle ranges The ETL is 5- 10 natural oils. Currently, the most from 14 - 107 days depending upon the weather conditions. nymphs or adults effective oil in the market is the ultra- per leaf before 9 fine oil, which is a paraffinic oil This tiny insect wreaks havoc in two simple ways. First, the A.M. product that reduces the settlement of silverleaf whitefly, a parasite, feeds off of its host plants by piercing the adult flies, decreases oviposition, the phloem or lower leaf surfaces with its mouth and removing Tomatoes and abates the transmission of the nutrients. Affected areas of the plant may develop chlorotic spots, Squash tomato yellow leaf curl virus. Ultra-fine whither, or lose leaves. Whiteflies also produce a sticky substance Poinsettia oil’s effect can be strengthened called honeydew, which is left behind on the host. Honeydew can Cucumber through the combination with oils induce the growth of sooty molds, which can then reduce the plants Eggplants such as limonene or citronellal. On ability to absorb light. This results in less growth, lower yield, and Okra the other hand, olive oil is highly poor quality plants. It also requires that crops be thoroughly Beans effective in controlling the number of washed after harvesting, which raises processing costs for the cotton flies that infect the leaves of their host grower. The second problem with the silverleaf whitefly is its plants and virus transfer. Spraying a notorious status as a vector for plant disease. It has been strong concentration on possible transmitting gemniviruses such as lettuce infectious yellows virus, areas of nymph habitation can make tomato yellow leaf curl virus, and African cassava mosaic virus for oil a high-quality treatment. Sugar years and over many continents. apple seed oil is not phytotoxic to tomato plants of any concentrations and reduces the survival rate of the pest. Spraying oil on leaves that have been infested or can be potentially infested will help reduce the number of silverleaf whiteflies that will reach the adult stage.
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Name Description Vegetables Solutions Spotted bollworms The initial infestation takes place on 6 week old crop in which the Bhindi The infested portions as well as shed Earias insulana Boisd. and E. larva causes detopping (drooping and drying of the shoot) due to buds and bolls should be removed vittella its feeding by boring into it. In the later stages of the crop, the buds, The ETL for this and destroyed. flowers and bolls are damaged and a larva may migrate and attack pest is 5% damaged fresh parts. Heavy shedding of early formed flower buds due to the fruiting bodies or 1 pest is a common feature in cotton fields. The lint from attacked larva per plant or bolls will not be clean. The moth of E. vittella has green front wings total 3 damaged with a white streak on each of them whereas that of E. insulana is squares / plant completely green. The female moth deposits 2 or 3 eggs on bracts, taken from 20 leaf axils and veins on the under surface of leaf. The egg is crown- randomly selected shaped, sculptured and deep sky blue in colour. A female may lay plants. about 385 eggs and the incubation period is about 3 days. The larva becomes full grown in 10 – 12 days. The larva of E. vittella is brownish with a longitudinal white stripe on the dorsal side and without finger-shaped processes on its cream coloured body and orange dots on prothroax. The boat shaped tough silken cocoon is dirty white brownish and may be found on plants or on fallen buds and bolls. The pupal period is 7 – 10 days. The total life cycle ranges from 20 to 22 days. Aulacophora foveicollis Seedlings may be completely destroyed by adult feeding, older wax gourd polythene bags protected cucumber plants have foliage riddled with holes or completely defoliated, and China aster seedlings effectively against the floral parts, including anthers are nibbled. Feeding by larvae watermelon infestation for up to one month after causes rotting and withering of the roots and stems. The surface of cucumber germination. young fruit may show feeding marks caused by the adults and the giant pumpkin undersurface of fruits where they touch the soil surface may have ornamental gourd indications of larval tunnels in the surface. cucurbits bottle gourd loofah beans Sugarcane ceratovacuna While woolly aphids generally aren't much cause for alarm, they Brinjil lanigera (lorki mawa) can cause rather unsightly damage to plants, which is particularly a Ladyfinger problem for growers of ornamentals. Symptoms of feeding include Wal twisted and curled leaves, yellowed foliage, poor plant growth, low all creeper plant vigor, and branch dieback. Further minor damage can be vegetables caused by the honeydew that woolly aphids secrete, which is mirchi difficult to remove. While the honeydew itself doesn't cause too much of a problem, the honeydew can cause sooty mold to grow, which can block some of the sunlight needed for photosynthesis. Spodoptera exigua The caterpillars, on hatching, gather on the leaf surface, the Jute Collection and destruction of egg 38
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Name Description Vegetables Solutions epidermis of which they eat. At this young stage, they are also in Indigo masses. the habit of webbing together either several leaflets or the margin Lucerne of the same large leaf. At times, these webs give a shabby look to Lentil the crop. Within these webs the young larvae live gregariously only Cabbage for two or three days and thereafter they separate and spread out. Maize
The feeding activity of grown up larva is generally confined to a few Cotton morning hours i.e. 9 to 11 a.m. and then again after 4 p.m. or so. gram They are very voracious and quite large patches of foliages are quickly stripped.
The adult lays eggs on leaves in clusters of up to 200 eggs each. Each egg is spherical like a poppy-seed in shape and size but with radiating lines. These egg-clusters are often covered with buff- coloured hair which are also present in-between the eggs. The egg-period ranges between 24 - 36 hours. The adult stage is a typical small noctuid moth with dark –spotted forewings and white hind wings. The colour of the larva is very variable, depending on the crop on which it has been feeding. When full-grown and full fed the caterpillar seeks shelter usually on the soil surface at the base of the plant, under stones or among leaves and such other debris. Also when necessary, a small amount of webbing is produced as a covering and a very rough cocoon is formed with bits of leaf and other material. The larval period is completed in 12 – 14 days. Inside this cocoon the larva pupates and the chrysalis is of the usual noctuid type with a double spine at the tip of the abdomen. The pupal period may be as short as five days and the whole life- cycle can be completed in less than three weeks. But the life-cycle can be very much lengthened, depending upon the environmental temperature and humidity.
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Name Description Vegetables Solutions Pink bollworm Pectinophora The larva enters the developing boll through the tip portion and the Cotton gossypiella Saund entrance hole gets closed up as the boll matures. It feeds on the Lady’s finger seeds and moves to adjacent locule by making a hole through the Hollyhock septum. The infested flower buds shed prematurely. A typical Thespesia populnea rosette-shaped bloom when examined will contain the larva. The infestation results in the seeds being destroyed in addition to retardation of lint development and weakened lint and staining of the lint both inside the boll and in the gin. Further, infested bolls open prematurely and expose it to invasion by saprophytic fungi. The seeds from damaged bolls show lower germination. The infestation ranges from 40 to 85 %.
The adult is a small dark brown moth and a female lays flattened and striated eggs on the bolls or in between bracts or on buds and flowers, the average being 125 eggs. The egg period varies from 4 - 25 days. The 15 mm long pinkish larva with dark brown head and prothoracic shield becomes full grown in 25 - 35 days and pupates in a thin silken cocoon among the lint, inside a seed or in double seeds, in between bracts or in cracks in the soil. The pupal period is about 6 – 20 days. Both short – cycle larvae and long-cycle larvae occur in Northern India and hibernation during winter takes place in the larval stage. In South India the insect is not known to hibernate in any stage of its development. Diaphania indica
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Name Description Vegetables Solutions Bactrocera correcta Generally similar to oriental fruit fly, but smaller and with a darker, Mango mostly black thorax. The brown band along the leading edge of the Peaches wing has a clear gap before the wing tip (continuous in B. dorsalis). Orange The face has a nearly continuous black band below the antennae (separate spots in B. dorsalis)
Liriomyza trifolii Head with frons and orbits yellow, hind margin of eye largely Beans Early season leafminer infestations yellow, at most slightly darkened centrally, third antennal segment Celery are common, but in most cases are yellow. Chrysanthemum controlled by numerous species of Cucumber parasitic wasps. Melons plants that Mining of leaves by the larvae is the principal cause of plant injury. Gerbera are not stressed for moisture or by Larvae mine between upper and lower leaf surfaces creating Gypsophila other environmental factors can better winding tunnels that are initially small and narrow, but increase in Lettuce tolerate leafminer injury. size as the larvae grows. These mines can cause direct injury to Onion seedling plants by removing chlorophyll and reducing the plants Potato photosynthetic capacity. Mines and feeding punctures also produce tomato an entrance for pathogenic organisms. Excessive leaf mining in older plants can cause leaves to dry, resulting in sunburning of fruit and reduction in yield and quality. In severe infestations, leafmining may cause plant death. Damage to mature plants can occur when attempting to hold the crop longer for a second or third harvest. Anadevidia peponis feed on Cucurbitaceae species
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Table: Plant Diseases
Name Description Vegetables Solutions Erysiphe cichoracearum cucurbits, including melon, cucumber, pumpkin, and squash
Pseudoperonospora cubensis Considered a highly destructive foliar disease of cucurbits
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Table: Pest Control Recipes
These recipes may insects on contact or by ingestion. Some recipes will only repel the insects using a strong odour. We prefer to maintain an ecological balance based on biological control and to use these recipes as a last resort.
Name Purpose Ingredients Steps Tobacco Recipe 80 tobacco leaves free of spots 1. Mix all ingredients. 1 litre water 2. Soak for 2 days. 3. Strain liquid and spray on leaves Cow Urine and Dung Use for Turd-tude 50 litres water 1. Mix ingredients together. disease, squash, 1 ½ litre cow urine 2. Let stand for 2 days to allow particles to breakdown. cucumber, ant, larvae, ½ kg dung 3. Strain liquid and spray on affected plants. and fungus problems 4. Do not apply in full sun and dilute further in water, if necessary. 10-Leafs (dashparniark) Kills all kinds of worms 1 ¼ kg neem leaf 1. Mix all ingredients in a large barrel. and first stage fungus ½ kg tan-tani (ghaneri) 2. Add 50 litres water. ½ kg nirgudi (nirgiri) 3. Cover with a cloth and leave in the shade. ½ kg guluel / white dhotra 4. Stir from left to right, 2 to 3 times a day, every day for a month. ½ kg custard apple leaf 5. After a month, strain the liquid with a net to remove particles. ½ kg karanj 6. For long term storage, store each liquid in separate 5 litre ½ kg lalkanher barrels (stores for up to 6 months). ½ kg rui leaf ½ kg errand ½ kg papaya leaf ½ kg pure, cow dung ½ litre urine Neem Known to kill and control 12 handfuls dry neem seeds * (or 1. Mix powder in water and soak overnight. aphids, moth larvae, use 500 g per 10 litres water) 2. Strain the liquid. spider mites, whiteflies ground into fine powder 3. Mix remaining ingredient fungus, nimatodes, and 12 litres of water 4. Spray to apply. Japanese beetles. It will ½ teaspoon of a mild liquid soap 5. Use within 8 hours before it loses its potency. not harm friendly-insects ½ ounce of Neem Oil that do not chew the leaves like butterflies, * wash and remove the husk, and ladybugs and bees. allow neem to dry completely Garlic and Pepper Good for all types of 1/2 cup hot peppers 1. Mix together and let sit for 24 hours in a glass jar. bugs 1/2 cup garlic cloves or onions 2. Seal and set in a sunny spot. 2 cups water 3. Strain and spray Tomato Leaf Spray Spray on plants affected 4 cups water 1. Gather the leaves from the bottom of tomato plants. 43
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by aphids and other 2 cups tomato leaves. 2. Combine 4 cups of water with leaves and let stand overnight. pests. 3. Strain mixture and add 2 more cups of water to dilute. 4. Strain and spray Chile pepper Useful against aphids and 2 handfuls of dried, ground chili 1. Mix together and soak over night scale insects powder 2. Strain and spray on plants. 2 litres water Citrus peel Essence Useful against potato 1 grated lemon peel 1. Mix together the grated peel of a lemon, an orange and a lime beetles, caterpillars and 1 grated orange peel and boil for a few minutes. other insects. 1 grated lime peel 2. Let stand for 24 hours. 2 litre water 3. Strain and spray. Garlic Useful against larger 20 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1. Mix garlic for 24 hours in olive oil to cover, then strain. insect pests: leafhoppers, olive oil 2. Add 2 tsp of mixture to 2 cups water drops of liquid soap. slugs, plant bugs, 2 cups water 3. Shake and strain again. whitefly. a few drops of liquid dish soap 4. Dilute this mixture, using 2 tsp per 2 cups of water. 5. Spray on plants. Salt Useful against cabbage 2 tsp of table salt 1. Dissolve 2 tsp of table salt in 4 litres of water. worms. 4 litres water • Tomato Leaf solution Useful against cabbage 15 tomato leaves (15 leaves 1. Steep tomato leaves (15 leaves per litre of water) for 24 hours. worms 1 litre water 2. Strain and spray on plants. Papaya Good for all types of 1 kg Finely chop papaya leaves 1. Mix papaya leaves with 1 litre of water; stand overnight. bugs 1 litre water 2. Dilute with four litres of water. 4 litres of water
NOTE
• Although these solutions are natural and non-toxic to humans, do not inhale, swallow, or rub on the skin or the eye.
• Spray all of the leaves with pesticide on the top and bottom and saturate the soil. Always spray early in the morning or early evening to avoid scaring off the good bugs and scorching the plant in the hot sun. Make sure to shake the mixture while spraying to keep it mixed well. Repeat spraying once a week (or more if it rains), but do not spray plants more than twice a week since insects might grow to become immune to the insecticide.
• Fungi often appear first on the lower leaves of the plant because the spores are released from the soil. Always apply fungicides to the soil and the bottom leaves.
Also read:
• List of beneficial weeds and List of repellent plants
Cuscutar reflexa – strangle vine and Kartali creeper on the fence
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Workshop 7: Connecting with the Farm Spirits
Objective
Students learn about farm spirits and how to connect with them.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session students will be able to understand:
• history and farm spirits: and • approach to contacting farm spirits to help with planting.
Context
Before you start a coning session, make sure that you are emotionally balanced and choose a place and time that allows you not be interrupted. During the growing season, meet with a group every week, on the farm, weather permitting. However, these sessions can be done remotely, as well. Throughout the week, log any questions that arise in a notebook.
Duration
Before beginning the session, drink at least one full glass of water since this session might take an hour or two.
Required Materials
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• pendulum • nuts and seeds to keep my energy high for longer sessions • notebook and pen in hand
Background
Small Wright developed a means of communicating with Nature’s Intelligences for the purpose of co-creating planting spaces. Often called a “coning” session, this term was based on the cone-shape vortex of balanced, conscious energy that is created during these sessions.
The 4-point coning process is like a conference call, inviting a co-creative partnership between four Intelligences: human (your Higher Self), the devic realm, Pan (overseer of the Nature Spirits), and the White Brotherhood. During the session, only those “called in” are invited to attend. This allows for a high degree of protection and balance, so no unwelcomed spirits come to give false information into this sacred space.
The inclusion of one’s Higher Self assures that all is done in the individual’s highest good and of all involved. The Devas and Nature Spirits’ involvement oversees that all is in accordance with nature’s design and balance. The White Brotherhood is a large group of highly evolved Beings who oversee the evolution of our galaxy.
How to Begin
1. Start by taking four deep breaths to get into a relaxed brain state. Then, out loud, state:
“I wish to open a coning session.”
2. Make a connection with each member, waiting about 10 seconds. In the beginning, use your pendulum, asking it to swing until a connection is made, then stop. Now, feel when the connection is made, which is generally a “shudder” through your body, goose pimples” or a “knowingness.”
"I would like to open a coning session." (Wait 10 seconds.) During this time, I take a few deep breaths and well up a feeling of “love” in my heart. Then with a pendulum, kinesiology or my sense of “knowing,”
3. Make sure the connection is made.
“I would like to open a stronger connection with my Higher Self.” (Wait 10 seconds. Test for the connection and thank him/her for coming.)
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4. If the coning session is about your farm, then call in the rest in this order: "I would like to connect with the overseeing deva of this property." (Wait 10 seconds, test for the connection and thank him/her for coming.)
"I would like to connect with the overseeing deva of the garden." (wait, test, thank)
"I would like to connect with Pan." (wait, test, thank)
"I would like to connect with the White Brotherhood." (wait, test, thank)
5. Next, state the intention of the coning and invite Pan and the White Brotherhood to invoke any other Beings they feel should be at the meeting.
The Session
1. Using your notes, begin to ask the questions. Speak out loud, using your pendulum for answers. When asking for specific locations, use maps you created. For example, when creating a row crop, outline the field into different maps. When asking a question, refer to the map number. This is especially helpful when planning a crop and for choosing the site for each seed. At times, I use “L” rods to find specific locations to place water features, specific seeds, etc.
For example, let’s say that you want to find the best location to plant 3 green bean bushes. Ask, “Will they be located together?” On map 1? Map 2? Once you find the correct map, then you will further define by asking which area. So, your next question is, “Will the green beans be planted in terrace “A,” “B,” “C?” Once the terrace or area is located, then further ask, “On the left, the right, in the middle?”
2. Use your fingers or the pendulum placed over the map to pinpoint the exact areas. It’s helpful to be on site during these planning sessions, for often there are areas they suggest that you hadn't noticed before. For clarity, there may be times when you will need to walk to a specific location, an “L” rod works well in these situations. At times, it is easier to locate the map then ask which quadrant it is in, “the top right half,” etc.
3. You can then ask what soil amendments need to be made, how many seeds to plant in the hole, how far apart to place the seeds and any other questions. When possible, plant by the moon cycles. Each week do an overall farm plan asking questions such as, “Is this the best time to plant bulbs?
4. You then ask if there is any specific plant that needs my attention. Use your map to find out which one(s) need attention. Do any need fertilizer? If so, which plants and what fertilizer? Which need watered, getting too much water, pruned, etc. Keep charts on each
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plant, that way if you don’t “hear” the name of the plants that need attention, use the following shortcut. Have listed in alphabetical order each plant that I have. Then if you find that one particular plant needs attention, you can ask, “Is it on page one? two? three? Conversely, you can ask, “This week, besides watering, is there any plant on page one that needs attention?” You do the same for the remaining pages.
5. For each plant that you intend to grow, create a planting guide. You might want to ask intelligent questions. For instance, the Devas might suggest the best location for a plant to be next to the cow shed, but you don’t know the growing needs of that particular plant. When you check in your plant guide, you find the plant grows three feet in width. You prefer not to have such a wide plant. So, you tell them it is too big and asked for a second choice. They cannot read your minds, you have to let them know your parameters (such as your intentions for each location and how much yield you want from a vegetable).
6. Once you have finished asking questions, ask those in attendance if they have any questions that you did not ask that they would like to address.
Closing the Session
1. It is very important to formally close the session and disconnect from the spirits that have attended. Closing the session is important because you have set up an energy link with each member. Without cutting this connection, your energy can be drained. Eventually, the link will dissipate in its own time.
2. To close, generally start with the last Being that you invited in, going in order backwards until you get to your Higher Self. The dialogue goes as such:
“I thank all members of the White Brotherhood that were in attendance. I ask to disconnect at this time.” (Wait 10 seconds, then verify with kinesiology that the disconnection was made.) “I thank Pan and any other nature spirits that were in attendance for your assistance. I ask to disconnect at this time.” (wait 10 seconds, test) “I thank the overseeing deva of the garden for your assistance and ask to disconnect at this time.” (wait 10 seconds, test) “I thank the overseeing deva of this property for your assistance and ask to disconnect at this time.” (wait 10 seconds, test) “I thank my Higher Self for your assistance and wish to resume a normal connection at this time.” (wait 10 seconds)
3. During these sessions an enormous amount of energy exchange. Be sure to drink at least one full glass of water afterwards. If you are craving sweets or feeling hungry, eat some protein to rebalance your body.
Material from: http://www.t-a-d-a.com/NatureSpirits.html References: Machaëlle Small Wright (www.perelandra-ltd.com) : Perelandra Garden Workbooks 1 and 2 Findhorn community : The Findhorn Garden : Pioneering a new vision of Man and Nature in Cooperation.
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Appendix 1: Operations Management
Workers and volunteers must understand how the forest is a These meeting are times to ask the workers whether: model for the farm as a balanced ecosystem. The forest has no disease, no chemicals, and lush growth. The farm manager must • any plants need watering, especially the nurseries and listen to the landscape and learn from the wisdom of others how freshly planted small plants; to build and maintain a good relationship with the soil. Everyone • plants are in good health and, if not, what to do; worker on the farm must feel a comfort with the smell, colour, • harvesting is done; what must be harvested next structure, and porosity to understand what healthy soil means. • cows were fed; and This can be done by using examples of clumps from the fertile • look at the corners to check if everyone is properly forest to compare with field soil working.
• don't directly ask what work was done today; to ensure To learn, people need to have someone show them. But training they are working correctly, as part of the daily farm is more than a teacher teaching. It is also having the modesty to inspection subtly checking (e.g. the corners are watered). know the farm workers can teach you more than you know. Sometimes they know more than us. Work the same as them. No Plan the next day at the end of the day meeting. Use the white hierarchy. I can do the same thing. Keep same schedule as them. board along with the current activities listed, add new suggestions with English and Marathi translation, and use the farm map and other tools to aid discussion. Update the Meetings whiteboard with the watering schedule. In general, in the morning meetings assign someone to do the watering, someone The meetings are informal and take place in the social space of to manage the worms and harvesting, someone to sow and the kitchen at morning and evening tea-time. Respect that you prepare the soil beds, and someone to works with the cows. are sharing their space. Don't make the meetings formal and try During the day, ask them for ideas for the farm. to be as light as possible. Deal with problems with individuals outside of this time. The goal of these meeting is to find out what workers did right and to recognize the progresses of the day and individuals. These Consider your early morning and end of day meetings as your meetings are done to find out what more still needs to be done opportunity to create an ongoing conversation among the and who will get to do it, when, and how – not to find out what workers about their relationship with the farm and the land. went wrong in the day or who to blame. .
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Farm Operations
Daily
Check crops with workers by asking them what they think about solution to a problem and check if work has been done properly Check watering every second day with a worker, then ask him or her if he can do a walk with/without you Check nursery and plant a vegetable, where possible. Check health and feeding of cows Check weeds to cut before they come in (cut, don’t pull to maintain soil structure) Think about the next vegetables to plant Keep beds moist that are not used Keep growing and watering records maintained
Weekly
Check cow food level (blue tank) Check for ticks on cows (occasionally under arms) Check if cows have been washed Check worms and harvest compost Check for water problems (e.g. pressure at each location) Check banana, papaya, and guava trees every 3 days, as well watering of sugar canes
Every 2 Weeks
Make amrit pani (be aware that amrit pani also attracts ants) Spray amrit pani on new and unhealthy soil beds (if there is a work shortage, tell workers to put amrit pani everywhere)
Monthly
Make 10-leaf preparation Spray 10-leaf when planting seeds (as a prevention) Store 10-leaf preparation to be ready
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Appendix 2: Snakes as Friends of the Farm
Cobras hunt at all times of day, although it is rarely seen at night. The farm snake takes time to become aware of the movements of people. If she is killed, a new one will move in and once again it will take time to get to know you. It is better to know the snake you know, than the snake you don’t.
Defense
When confronted by a threat, the cobra will try to escape and avoid any sort of confrontation. But if provoked or cornered, the cobra can be very aggressive. When threatened, it rears up the anterior portion of its body when extending the neck, showing the fangs and hissing loudly. It can be easily irritated by closely approaching objects or sudden movements. When raising its body, the cobra can still move forward to strike – making it difficult for people to easily misjudge the safe zone. The cobra may deliver multiple bites in a single attack but adults are known The cobra is a much respected and much feared creature. The to bite and hold on. In spite of being a highly dangerous snake, it Indian cobra is one of the Big four snakes of South Asia (mostly prefers to escape first unless there is no other way. India) which are responsible for the majority of human deaths by snakebite in Asia. The first instinct of a cobra is to flee – not Hindu Culture fight – if it can avoid a conflict. The cobra normally feeds on rodents, toads, frogs, birds and other snakes, but its diet of rats The cobra has its own place in Hindu mythology as a powerful lead it to areas inhabited by humans including farms and deity. The Hindu god Shiva is often depicted with a protective outskirts of urban areas. cobra coiled around his neck. Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, is usually portrayed as reclining on the coiled body of The snake has a right to exist, too. The cobra, often times Sheshnag, the Preeminent Serpent, a giant snake deity with territorial, hunts rats and other snakes on the farm. It has a keen multiple cobra heads. Cobras are also worshipped during the eyesight (king cobras are able to detect moving prey almost 100 Hindu festival of Nag Panchami. m away), intelligence, and sensitivity to earth-borne vibration.
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25 June 2012 ORGANIC FARMING GUIDELINES FOR SAHA ASTITVA
Appendix 3: Farm Map This is a map that shows an overview of the planting plot spaces.
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Appendix 4: Future Experiments Experiment with rice or our vegetable beds
Monsoon 2012: • Plant at the start of rains. Also use harvesting / mulch techniques 1. Soil aeration in (2) but plant vegetable, Make a broadfork (details on www.thankindia.org) not legumes (e.g. chowli, ghasale, etc. gowar
2. Rice Growing for rice growing plan experiment Experiment with Rice Intensification method (SRI) film and information available 1. Plant mung, wal, chana by broadcasting 1 week before the harvest Other: 2. Cut the heads of rice with scissors, wheeler, when it’s ready To Restore Soil 3. Bend the rice straw over, keeping the roots in the ground (cow • Deepika of Auroville used terra preta (charcoal-based biomass fodder grain instead) technique) to restore the soil on her land. You can also find more information about biochar from a branch of the International Other notes Biochar Initiative in India. Manage Grazing Use the bottom of the land – how to manage cattle grazing. Rotation Prepare the nursery soil of cattle pasture. Use portable electric fence to show how to manage • (25% soil, 25% sand, 25% gober, 25% vermicompost. Prepare in cows for villagers. the barn or the nursery area. Managed firewood coppicing Pest Control Identify coppicing tree (acacia type) / leguminous
• Use papaya and acacia leaves for fungus. Use organic insect We are starting to work with the analog forestry model of planting repellent recipes from cow urine, neem leaves, and glyceria (for (Google analog forestry). Special note for trees that work well in clay rats). soil in our area:
Prepare for Sowing Grains and Legumes (field crops) Nursery- for transplanted rice, while nursery is growing plant a legume for at least 3 weeks in the rest of the paddy. Turn this in before sowing Using rice paddy the rice using a rotarvatar so the soil is less compacted. Experiment by adding gober after transplanting the rice. Add gober after planting the • If bull/plow is used, they compact the soil and remove the life of legume (1/2:1/2 in the paddy). the soil, when the land is flooded soil is destroyed. Control grazing for outside farmers. No one knows what good soil is and • NOTE: for monsoon, experiment – to some of the top soil and how to get it. Show good soil: colour, porosity, smell, roots, and process. porosity on the vegetable beds
Thanks to these people for making Anand Angar the project happen: Manisha Gutman Zoran and Tamara Daniel Uppendahl Ramesh Sheth Franck Chevalier Major Singh Jess Sukh Bhumi Pete Lavina’s family Katherine Stitham Angela Bacon Mukunda, Chinnamasta Claire Delaney Sue Corbett Amar Jyoti Amanda Michele Jacobs Tracy Rob and Angie Daly Louisa Bruijn Sharda ten Hove Aparna and Pooja Scott Fry Rit Maha Anandita The children at Bladon School Raju Menon Bron, Belinda, Parvatti And all those we’ve forgotten, those who wish Dev Barrot Sundari to remain anonymous and all those still to Shammi Seth Vyantakesh Kalkarni come! Yuti and Atul Learning Space Uma, Noel and Elsie MOFCA farmers Jerome Laberge Ubai Hussein Sean Sluys Bharat Mansata Michael Turner Bhaskar Save Yash Rungta Prasad Chakitsa Kalyan Wani Mayuree and Leslie Naresh Somwanshi Van Vadi Shoreh Zare Lorayna Gamboa Jennie Bjorsted Konrad Hauptfelisch Kath and Canada Castle Climbing Peter Rousell Anandi Gandhi Vijay, Ladku, Bhushan, Wasin, Laxman Stripes, Wizz and Tilly Andy Wright Judith and Alec Brook James Reeves Peggy and Ruth Kirchmeier Belinda Drew Sunil Limaye Chris Dore Mr Thorat Addy Porter Clement Ben Tamsin Jones Samir Despande Phil Anna Rabindra Katkar www.thankindia.org Dhyani Ma Christina Sage Amy Pizzarello Vale Dominguez