A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS con't from FRONT PAGE A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS continued A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS continued Days on the farm continue to connect medical research with gardening trends, and currently microbes remain front and center. Fascinated by the reports, Rowland shares, “Medical research has been studying the microbes in our small bowel, colon, and stool and considering the different mixtures of bacteria and microbes in the intestinal tract. It turns out that there’s about 400 trillion microbes in our body which is equivalent to the number of cells in our body— one microbe almost for every cell. By looking at the microbes, they have linked different patterns of microbes with different health problems. Thankfully by choosing a healthier lifestyle, the microbe types become healthier. If you want to have good bacteria, then you must eat the right foods.” And growing the right foods remains a top priority. Knowledge of microbes is being used in unique ways on the Farm. Rowland tells, “I had a problem with algae and duckweed in my irrigation pond. Many nutrients get washed in from the pastures, but the algae clogs the intake valves on my irrigation system. A friend recommended, ‘If you put microbes in your pond, they’ll consume the nutrients and eliminate the algae.’ Sure enough the microbes cleared out the pond, and every time my irrigation runs I’m putting all those good microbes back onto my pastures which look outstanding.” Rowland hasn’t used nitrogen in four years, but his pastures look lush and green. Rowland explains, “The air is 80% nitrogen, so if you have the right microbes in the soil along with the legumes growing with the rye, then they’re all converting the nitrogen in the air to nitrogen for the plants which produces higher protein for the animals. Everybody’s feeding their animals grain and feed in order to keep them healthy, but mine are fat just eating grass because I have a good mixture of stuff growing.” Organic matter is critical for healthy soil. If you’re wondering why your green beans are not doing well, then do a soil test to understand the problem. Rowland urges, “It’s like having a checking account, writing checks, never reconciling your bank account, and then you wonder, ‘Why are my checks bouncing?’” At the Farmer’s Market, Rowland believes they should require farmers to include a soil test report at their stands. Optimal nutrients in the soil will carry over into the food—the food nutrient density will be higher. Using a lab in Richmond, VA, called Waypoint Analytical, Rowland is excited to report that his soil organic matter is 5% whereas most farms report less than 1%. Always a helpful resource, Rowland informs, “To get healthy microbes in your soil: #1.Build up your organic matter. #2.Have cover crops growing all the time. #3.Grow mixed crops rather than mono-cultures. #4.Avoid poisons or toxins. One of the key microbes are the fungi that take nitrogen from the air and make nitrogen for the plants. These are killed by the salts used in commercial fertilizers.” Going on 24 years of gardening at the Farm, Rowland provides a garden tour. Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries lead the way to the fig tree which stays loaded in the summertime. Down the brick sidewalk, the spring garden grows the asparagus, garlic in the middle, sugar snap peas at the front along with some onions and lettuce. Heirloom tomatoes, Cannon tomatoes, German Johnson, Cherokee Purple, and a golden one that’s really sweet grow in cages here and there. We come to the mixed sunflowers of 50 different varieties boasting all colors, shapes, and sizes. Since Judy, Mike's wife, provides flowers at church, the Rowlands grow fresh flowers in abundance. Around the corner, the garden alternates clean, neat rows of plantings with rows of flourishing cover crops. Rowland practices strip tilling rather than no–till farming where farmers merely plant crops in the wild. Strip tilling is better than either complete tilling or no–till. He points out his potatoes planted in a double row with three different kinds—red, white, and Yukon gold. He smiles, ‘My grandkids take their buckets of potato chunks, and while I dig following the string down the middle, they drop the potatoes—red, yellow, white, red, yellow, white. We used to have trouble with the crows pulling up our corn, but by leaving the cover crop growing in between the rows, the crows can’t find the corn! Once the corn is up and beyond the point where the crows can’t bother it, then I mow the cover crop and roll out the hay bales.” Dr. Rowland explains his reasoning for using the hay bales. “When the temperature gets above 90 degrees, the microbes in the soil start dying because they can’t tolerate the heat. Since the hay keeps the ground underneath cool and wet, you maintain the microbes.” Keeping meticulous records, Rowland informs, “I’ve got plans going back 20 some years, and basically where the corn was last year, I’m putting pumpkins, and where the pumpkins were, I’m putting corn. Annually I flip-flop the plantings.” We continue to the different kinds of cabbage alternating regular cabbage, crinkly head cabbage, and purple cabbage. Rowland looks forward to Coleslaw and sauerkraut. As to his favorite vegetable, Rowland smiles, “It’s like my kids, I like them all.” For generations, farmers have known that if you till late in the day, then you have fewer weeds. However, many times, farmers till their gardens in the morning when it’s cool and unknowingly spread weed seeds everywhere. The seeds given the right soil, moisture, and temperature will soon germinate. If you till in the evening, the weed seeds don’t germinate because the small amount of light before it gets dark prevents germination. Rowland emphasizes, “Till after supper not in the morning.” What about watering? “Mulch is key to retaining moisture,” affirms Rowland. “Studies show that for every one percent organic matter increase, the soil adds an extra half an inch of water–holding capacity in the top foot of soil. With my organic matter now at five percent, my soil holds an extra two inches of water.” By increasing organic matter, you reduce the need for irrigation. Gardening for now 62 years, Rowland shares some tips, “I’ve always had trouble growing cucumbers. Great Uncle Ray who always had beautiful cucumbers told me to put an aspirin in every hill when planting cucumbers. So I keep a small bottle of cheap, common aspirin with my leftover cucumber seeds to remind me. In regards to blossom-end rot on tomatoes, the answer lies in using Epsom salt. Two handfuls of Epsom salt on each side of the tomato plant will keep the tomatoes healthy.” Along with the gardens, the Farm includes horses, cows, and chickens. With a big flock of chickens, the Rowlands enjoy and sell farmfresh eggs. Rowland shares, “We have one rooster with the hens for protection, and if we wanted to hatch eggs we could. Chickens normally produce for two, three years, and we take really good care of ours. The more eggs you eat, the less likely you are to have cardiovascular disease. More eggs, less heart disease.” Inspiration on the farm is abundant with beauty around every corner. I wonder who inspires the Master Gardener. He muses, “I’d say both sets of grandparents. My mentor was Mr. Rezelman who had a big organic garden in the middle of town. He had chickens, goats, sheep, cattle, vegetables, raspberries, strawberries, beautiful rhubarb as thick as my arm, and all kinds of fruit trees. Raising pansies every fall, he sold them in the spring. He made most of his own tools, and he taught me a lot of things. He died at age 96.” We pause to remember the seasons of life. I wonder what he would change if he could go back in time. Rowland ponders, “In theory, you’d say that you’d like to straighten out the road and avoid some of the off-road experiences, but they were all part of the plan. Through all of the detours, I have my five children; they’re all wonderful! All of my tragedies have become blessings. Every time something tragic happens, just hang on. If you’re patient, you’ll find out that things are going to be a lot better than expected. My life has ended up far better than ever dreamed! Every time something bad happens, God has something better in mind. Just be patient; keep the faith; and continue doing what’s right.” Advice shared for young people remains, “Number one, there is God, then family, and A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS con't. p.35 A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS con't. next column A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS con't. next column The chickens supply farm-fresh eggs. Strip tilling offers many benefits. p.34 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 127
20587PG
To see the actual publication please follow the link above