supporting Veganic Forest

Agriculture Veganic Forest

Agriculture

ELF ELF TrustTrustELF ELF TrustTrust

Outline Outline Co-operation in the purchase and Co-operation in the purchase and

use of land, for the creation of veganic use of land, for the creation of veganic smallholdings.smallholdings.

ELF Trust, Harewood, Calstock,Cornwall

View of HarewoodMap of the LandMap of the Land

BBiiooddiivveerrssee DDeevveellooppmmeenntt

The MarshThe Marsh

Contract with English NatureContract with English Nature

Veganic AgricultureVeganic Agriculture

ForestryForestry

The Farm OrganisationThe Farm Organisation

OVA, the Bizz!OVA, the Bizz! OVA, the Bizz!OVA, the Bizz!

ELF Trust’s DesignELF Trust’s Design

Low Impact Agriculture, Architecture and TechnologyLow Impact Agriculture, Architecture and Technology

Contract With Forestry AuthorityContract With Forestry Authority

What is ... Veganic Forest Agriculture?

The word ‘Vegan’ is used to denote the minimal exploitation of animals.The word ‘Vegan’ is used to denote the minimal exploitation of animals.

Many ‘vegans’, see the general contamination of the planet as harmful all life and Many ‘vegans’, see the general contamination of the planet as harmful all life and support organic agriculture.support organic agriculture.

Veganic is a shortened form of vegan organic.Veganic is a shortened form of vegan organic.

However, a problem arises for ‘vegans’, as most organic food is grown with the use of blood, bones, manure and other animal waste and by-products.

Forest Agriculture Forest Agriculture Agriculture in a forest Agriculture in a forest setting.setting.

For organic agriculture, local biodiversity supports a more healthy and balanced For organic agriculture, local biodiversity supports a more healthy and balanced basic environment.basic environment.

A woodland of native mixed broadleaved trees, aids the disease and pest control A woodland of native mixed broadleaved trees, aids the disease and pest control for the organic farmer.for the organic farmer.

For vegans, this is even more important, as there is unlikely to be any imported For vegans, this is even more important, as there is unlikely to be any imported animals to add to the farm.animals to add to the farm.

•So we have it, Veganic Forest Agriculture.

The soil structure is silty (48%) with a high, metallic content limiting the micro-organisms that are the basis of a long food chain.

Marsh Biostructure

The 7 acres (3 hectares) is mainly common reed, with an acre stand of willows to the west. Various other trees, shrubs and plants grow well, some sadly are invasive and detract from the value of the reed bed.

It is dependent on a regular flood of the Tidal Reaches of the Tamar River, at an area where there is negligible salinity.Productivity

The reed-bed, with suitable management, The reed-bed, with suitable management, will produce reeds for thatching. will produce reeds for thatching.

With high level of metal species in the soil, With high level of metal species in the soil, and hopefully less nitrogen farm runoffs, the and hopefully less nitrogen farm runoffs, the harvested reeds will have an extended harvested reeds will have an extended durability, uncommon in many areas of durability, uncommon in many areas of production in the UK. production in the UK.

Presently the reeds are used for mulching Presently the reeds are used for mulching areas of adjacent fields.areas of adjacent fields.

ComplicationsComplications

Erosion,Erosion, Erosion,Erosion,

Invasive PlantsInvasive Plants Invasive PlantsInvasive Plants

1. Some produce such dense growth that they stifle smaller plants decrease the overall biological activity in the marsh.

2. Such growth, via its monopoly, then leads to erosion of the soil, and river bank.

3. Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam are invasive in this way.

4. Many other plants have a similar effect and by mixing with the reed crop in substantial quantities devalue its use as thatching material.

ForestrForestryy

On 1 hectare, over 2000 trees been established to augment the existing woodland. These broad-leaved trees surround areas being planted up as

orchard.

Hundreds of the new trees have been grown from seed.

Once a rich fruit growing area, little is left of the orchards and soft fruit enterprises.

Work in Progress (Marsh) is confined to the eastern edge

• Ponds and a small stand of willows are being enhanced.

• Himalyan Balsam, Giant Hogweed and Water Parsnip are being removed from the reed-bed.

• Channels are being made for small boat access and the bunds are being rebuilt.

• The river bank is being rebuilt to control flood water.

Fruit tree planting

apple trees

Area of fruit trees and bushes

chestnut

cherry soft fruit area

quince

apple trees

The Soil is Renewable Energy Our only field of real economic development. This Our only field of real economic development. This ancient soil, is the result of pastancient soil, is the result of past bbiioollooggiiccaall ddiivveerrssiittyy..

To Bridge The Chasm between the present farming To Bridge The Chasm between the present farming methods and a local future of increased organic methods and a local future of increased organic smallholdings.smallholdings.

The Land is being enriched by young life and new The Land is being enriched by young life and new growthgrowth

Cork Oak

Holm Oak

The Main Challenge is

to effect a personal change in lifestyle by reducing consumption of basic materials, and personally reusing our own by-products

Subsequent Challenges

To recycle those articles that cannot be reused; at a personal cost and not expect society to pay for it.

to support and encourage those that are taking direct action, and

to ensure that those in authority, personally and officially, act in accordance with the environmental improvements they suggest others make.

Biological and structural soil improvements.

With simple mulching, composting and by incorporating sewage into the fields, the

nutritional value of the below average soil is being improved.

Benefits vary relative to the beneficiary

• All forms of life will benefit from veganic agriculture by the reduction of the use of chemical pesticides, insecticides and fertilisers.

• The increase in green cover crops, and layering enhances soil stability, structure and with the associated woodland providing extra co2 absorption.

• Local to the veganic activities, there will be a marked increase in the diversity of the flora and faun.

• Veganic forest agriculture is labour intensive, and as farms and smallholdings develop will provide employment for a significant number of people per acre/hectare, compared to present agricultural methods.

• There are of course the benefits to the individual carrying out this work. 11 Less need for mono-culture, and therefore less production and use of chemicals fertilisers, for mass

biological suppression.

2 Less use of heavy goods vehicles carrying perishable crops at high financial and environmental cost.

3 Better personal health due to quality food, and a fitter mind and body from having worked in the open air to provide sustainable challenges.

4 Fuller use of the countryside, enhancing the air quality and visual amenities.

5 As each person takes responsibility for their welfare to include their external biological environment, there will be less need for local and central government and the financial and emotional costs they incur.

The boat provides shelter for the office work and is used as a store for tools.

It also provides shelter from the weather for those working and and accommodation for meals and rest.

In the spring it also serves as a shelter for young seedlings

It is also the workshop as it has electricity for power tools and is the only suitable place.

The only other shelter is the shed which has to be used to store less vulnerable or valuable items !!!!!