Production agriculture, like an ecosysystem! Plant species working together to increase economic wealth through growing ecological health. More at www.regenerativedesigngroup.com and www.apiosinstitute.org
1. Uncommon Fruit Ecosystems
Ethan C. Roland
Regenerative
Design Group
Apios Institute
for Regenerative Perennial Agriculture
www.apiosinstitute.org
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
2. Uncommon Fruit
Ecosystems
• Goal
• Why?
• How?
• Where?
• Next Steps
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
3. Goal:
Work Less, Produce More
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
4. Why?
1. Rising Fuel Prices - Peak Oil
2. Climate Chaos
3. Economic Crisis
4. Time for Family & Community
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
5. How:
Work with nature, not against
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
47. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not plant monocultures
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
48. • Nature does not plant monocultures
Monoculture Mind
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
49. • Nature does not plant monocultures
Monoculture Mind
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
50. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not plant monocultures
Use DIVERSITY
• Plant as many uncommon fruits as possible given
economic and management constraints.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
52. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not use synthetic fertilizers
Create Self-Fertilizing Ecologies
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
53. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not use synthetic fertilizers
Create Self-Fertilizing Ecologies
• Four plants to fix Nitrogen:
– Clover, Groundnut, Licorice, Trefoil
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
54. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not use synthetic fertilizers
Create Self-Fertilizing Ecologies
• Four plants to fix Nitrogen:
– Clover, Groundnut, Licorice, Trefoil
• Four plants to fix P, K, Ca, Fe, Mg
– Comfrey, Sorrel, Chives, Chicory
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
56. Self-Fertilizing
• Comfrey,
Chickory,
Cow Parsley,
Fennel,
Clover
Christchurch, New Zealand
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
57. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not spray against pests and diseases
Select species & varieties
for disease resistance
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
58. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not spray against pests and diseases
Increase beneficial insect habitat
• Four plants for insects:
– Yarrow, Sweet Cicely, Anise Hyssop, Red Clover
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
59. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not spray against pests and diseases
Use aromatic pest confusers
• Four plants to confuse pests:
– Mints, Horseradish, Bee balm, any Allium
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
60. Work with nature, not against
Don’t plant plants.
Plant ecosystems!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
61. Plant Ecosystems
Strawberry, Asparagus, Groundnut
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
62. Production-Scale
Sheet-mulching for establishment
Tuesday, March 3, 2009