I’m not right asked:


I attend Penn State University and have always enjoyed growing organic vegetable, fruits and herbs. That is why I chose the major I did, but not sure how this can be translatable into a career.

Jesus Saves asked:


We have decided to have an organic garden this year but i am wondering what are the chances of your organic vegetables (mostly the corn) being contaminated by cross pollination from the GMO corn crops that surround our property. Does anyone know what the chances of that happening re and how to avoid it?

Thanks

Yarcofin asked:


I’m a city-slicker kid working on my degree in business (accounting), but I’m quickly coming to the realization that I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in an office cubicle.

I’d like to run a farm growing vegetables, maybe even a small number of animals like chickens or goats. I only have experience gardening on a small scale. Last year I grew about 8 hot pepper plants and a row of radishes, I also helped my dad plant and take care of a fair-sized garden but that is the extent of my experience.

Ideally I’d like to start an organic farm, maybe also using alternative sources of power like solar and wind power for some or all electrical needs.

How should I get started knowledge-wise? Should I buy a farm or just rent a field for one season and try it out?

Where can I sell my produce other than farmer’s markets, and is it financially viable to farm nowadays? (ie. After a couple of years, could I be consistently be making $30,000 - $50,000+ profit)?

Raninja asked:


I watched a special on kvie about where our food comes from and it was very disturbing. I already knew it was bad,but to see what they’ve done to the american farmer, patenting seeds?! Back to the question, there are a lot of things that claim they are ‘organic’ yet they are still affiliated with monsanto or those like them. Even Tom’s Organic Toothpaste is owned by Colgate! Tell me what organic companies you love and why. Are any of these places still mom and pop?

SHIIIZNIIIZ asked:


what are the chemicals and other substances involved in Organic Pesticide? (i heard you need up to use much more of it since its inefficient, so its worse sort of.)

What are the effects of Organic Farming on the environment? (i heard it takes up more land, so more destruction of forests is required)

Is organic food healthier? (i heard its genetically the same as other foods, and some say it has more nutrition while other studies say it doesnt)

(would be nice if you could source it)

Thanks for your help!

maquick2 asked:


The organic/non genetically modified food movement has been quickly gaining steam as of late. Agriculture currently is not fullfilling the world wide demand causing widespread starvation (just ask Sally Struthers…). Considering that yields are significantly lower (and more expensive) with organic farming than mainstream farming methods I ask the following two questions. What percentage of world food demands are being met now, and what percentage would be met if all farming became organic/non-GM?

Allan D. Cullen asked:


I mean, all those fruits and vegetables garbage, that I throw in regular trashcans
How can I recycle it, so that I pollute less and I turn it into compost (soil) and I give it back to Nature?

Any gardener or botanist or agronomics engineer can give me some advice please?

Thank you
ps: I live in an appartement, not a house

medan01 asked:


it was an answer to my question of how to dry a large amount of topsoil, and im not really sure what it is. and to all of those who got smart and pissy about me calling my topsoil dirt here is a definition from a website that sells different types of material such as sand,dirt,fertilizer, etc. Screened Top Soil
Screened sandy loam (DIRT) this soil is mainly used under new turf or top dressing lawns. Can be used as a base soil for garden beds however, organic matter must be added. i guess that means i have a right to call my topsoil DIRT if i like. anyway really need to know about the tile bed. thanks for your help

Kaci asked:


I’m just researching farming for the future. A few questions:

Cows - What is the best dairy breed (in your opinion)

Chickens - Best egg layers, breed

Goats - Best breed (trying to decide between dairy cows and goats… what do you think?)

What do you need to know before starting a (small) farm? Feed, fencing, housing, etc. Things that most people forget to tell you?

Also, how to get rid of leafminers (attacking tomatoes) and tiny caterpillars who attack spinach? We have an organic garden.

I’m going to check out a few of the local farms for more help, but any info is helpful.

Kramer asked:


Assume the following:

1) Free access to 1/2 acre of fertile California soil
2) Cultivation of that soil using the square foot gardening method to grow all manner of fresh organic produce including potatoes for healthy carbohydrates
3) Breeding rabbits for a lean and healthy protein source
4) $1,000 per year of income from a bottomless trust fund
5) A couple in their twenties with a 2-year-old son who will learn to help with the work

Are we crazy, or can this really work if we’re willing to give up many modern conveniences to get it? Even so, we’ll have much more at our fingertips than did ancient farmers who seemed to get along okay.
I appreciate your answers very much.

As one gracious answerer already stated, and I’m sure many would agree with, it’s widely accepted that this type of life necessitates back-breaking labor during every waking moment.

I challenge that as myth. I flat out don’t believe it. Will this life involve plenty of good old hard work and manual labor? You bet! But I honestly don’t believe that it will require miserable toil or that I will (after infrastructure is built) have any LESS spare time than I do now while working 40 hours a week.

Am I wrong? Am I daft? Set me straight, please. I’m reasonable. Reason with me. Explain how, really, the life which I outlined (not ancient peasant life) will require more than I think it will.

Thanks!!
Thank you all again for your answers!

1/2 acre not enough?

That’s a full half acre devoted to crops/rabbits, housing is in addition to that.

Remember, square-foot gardening yields several times the crop density of traditional row gardening.

Also, remember I have income which I can use to buy wood, charcoal, toilet paper; whatever is too much trouble to take care of myself; and I’ll be located a 15-minute bike ride from a shopping center.

Self-sufficiency isn’t expected for at LEAST 10 years. I don’t believe one can (or should) ever FULLY disengage from society. I have no problem utilizing what society offers to make my life easier, but I’d like to utilize what Earth offers to make my silly desktop obsolete.