Soil is obviously important because we wouldn’t have anything to stand on without soil.  Without soil, we wouldn’t be able to plant trees, food crops hence, we wouldn’t be able to eat or have shelter to rest from the sun.  In short, our soil is just as important as any other element in our planet. We are all connected in this planet and our soil is one of the most basic elements in our lives.

Aside from providing for a place for seeds, plants and trees to grow our soil is a very important data gathering element in our planet.  Soil quality is measured to help scientist predict impending drought by measuring the soil’s capability to hold water during the dry season.  It can also tell if the area can withstand flooding.  The same is true when scientists are measuring the amount of chemicals and pH in the soil to tell if the area can still sustain healthy plant life.  In other words, our soil is like a measuring device that tells scientists the over all health of an area or a part of land.

Our soil is also a very big link in the chain of life and death in our planet.  Living things like animals, leaves, seeds and other organic matter decompose on the soil providing organic matter that fatten up the soil.  These in turn make plants grow healthier which in turn are eaten by animals that are eaten by humans.  The cycle resumes when the animal dies or something decomposes with a very big help from our soil.

So the next time you feel lower than dirt, think of how important our soil is and how big a contribution it gives to our environment by being just something we step on everyday!

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This is what World Water Relief is all about. World Water Relief aims to provide programs which will support and ensure clean drinking water for every human living in this world. What sets this organization apart from others is that their programs are long term solutions instead of temporary relief. The organization believes that when clean water is denied, people in the area are susceptible to diseases and health risks. Together with their support partners, they were able to build water purification systems for areas in need thus giving its people a chance to have clean and safe drinking water.

World Water Relief prioritizes areas which already have an existing water supply but is currently unusable due to contamination. It also recognizes different types of partners such as program partners and support partners. Through these partnerships, everyone has the opportunity to participate and ultimately make a difference in their own ways. Volunteers, on the other hand, make sure that these programs are rightfully delivered to concerned areas. Donations are also accepted in their site to help Haiti, their pet project as of the moment. For as little as $20, the organization ensures an entire week of basic necessities for one village.

For more information, visit their website:  http://www.worldwaterrelief.org/

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Those who are able to afford the “pack up and go” attitude are indeed lucky. Unfortunately, not all city dwellers are lucky enough to have this kind of opportunity. Some need to be in the city because their jobs require them to be while others are not yet ready for the kind of life that awaits them in farms and rural areas. Let’s face it, not all humans are created to easily adjust to the demands of time, whether they like it or not. The good news is, your home need not be situated in far, far away land nor be as big as your whole street. You can live the kind of life they lead in farms right in the heart of the city, this is called urban homesteading.

Urban homesteading can be considered as your first step to the sustainable life you have always dreamed of and it doesn’t have to be so drastic, especially if you cannot afford it. Those who successfully made it swear that urban homesteading requires a lot from a person but at the end of the day, one will soon realize that it’s all worth it. Taking precious baby steps toward your goal will help you a lot.

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Organic farmers believe that a free range chicken is one happy chicken and therefore is not oozing with harmful toxins. Not only will it help your energy levels and staying power last longer but also it was said to delay the aging process when introduced along with overall healthy lifestyle.

Most free range chickens are kept organic, since then it became so popular to health buffs the world over causing a shortage in supply. This alone makes it a very lucrative business for farmers worldwide especially in times like these when people are beginning to make a conscious effort in living a healthy lifestyle. Organically raised chickens are grass fed and they are encouraged to live a stress free life of clean air and water. As much as possible, no chemicals are introduced to the chicken’s system, whether directly to the chicken or to its surrounding areas.

Free range chickens are a great source of protein. Aside from that, it offers many benefits to humans when consumed. It is healthy and very delicious too unlike those that are raised in coops which tend to be less tasty. Be warned though, since free range chickens require special care, it tends to cost more than its supermarket counterparts.

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Organic farming is a form of agricultural method wherein farm communities relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost fertilizer, biological methods of pest control and cultivation of fertile soil to make it more productive thus yielding better produce. It also strictly limits the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, chemical-based plant grower, feed additives and GMO. Organic farming is closely based on the standards set by IFOAM or International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement and it is also regulated and enforced by most nations worldwide.

This core value is very similar to what sustainable living is all about. That same basic principle applies to all organic farm communities and it affects everyone that is working together for this common goal of lessening the human impact to the environment. By following organic farming methods, our soil is protected from erosion and it strongly promotes biodiversity among plant, animal and smaller organisms as well.

Some farmers would not adapt this kind of farming methods since organic farming is known to have lower yields. But since the population is getting more and more conscious of food safety due to health risks that some chemically contaminated produce can cause them, the demand is much stronger and people are willing to pay higher prices of organic ones. Because of this, along with the decreased cost of production since no synthetic fertilizers are used, it creates higher profit for organic farmers. This also called the attention of some farmers to join and manage their own organic farmlands.

Sustainable living is a lifestyle in which a person reduces his or her impact to the environment by limiting their usage of the Earth’s natural resources and avoids further damaging it. Sustainable agriculture works the same and provides better organic food which is not only good for human consumption but also great for maintaining balanced ecosystem.

Janice Hunter Creative Director for 11 Lions Media Group is raising awareness and spreading knowledge through creative content projects throughout the web. Learn more about organic farming visit 11Lions.com to reach higher levels of consciousness.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janice_Hunter
http://EzineArticles.com/?Organic-Farming—The-Sustainable-Way-to-Farm-and-Eat&id=2006856

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Bee farms are cheap and easy. In fact, they are most recommended for small scale farmers with no resources to start their own businesses with. Many organizations are working on introducing this kind of activity for developing countries like Africa and Asia. So far, may farmers have responded and bee farms are faring well.

There’s no better time to start your own bee farm than today since the demand is very high and the supply is somewhat lacking. It opens a door for poor farmers to somehow generate enough income to support his or her family. It can even be a family business since beekeeping can be done by everyone in the family including kids. Best of all, it can blend perfectly with your crops, assuming you’re also growing them. As we all know, bees pollinate, making your crops all the more healthy therefore increasing their productivity level.

Bees produce honey while honey has high value when sold. They are very easy to harvest and won’t require any additional technology to do so. All it takes is a simple know-how which most free seminars will teach you. Furthermore, its byproduct is well sought-after by manufacturing companies and even health conscious individuals so there’s no need to fret where to sell your goods after each harvest.

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Although it’s to be expected, the slow phase organic fertilizer is currently experiencing is partly due to the fact that farmers are quite confused on what organic fertilizers are and how it can work on their farms. It seems that there is no existing group or organization that helps spreading the word to farmers while commercial fertilizers come complete with instructions and even extend support to small farm communities. According to surveys, almost a hundred percent of gardening hobbyists already made the switch and have been enjoying the benefits of organic fertilizers ever since. It’s because they can afford to wait, spend a little more money and most of all, can try again next time if this season’s batch won’t come out great while farmers don’t have this kind of luxury and unfortunately, they are not informed how to do it properly.

Basically, anything that comes from nature and encourages bacterial growth is considered as an organic fertilizer. Some examples of which are manure, fish emulsions, blood meal, bone meal and even sewer sludge. Organic fertilizers take time to generate results but if one can afford the wait, it will all be worth it.

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Community supported agriculture works effectively in and around areas where farm communities are conveniently located. Since the transportation costs is somehow lessen, if not prevented altogether, produce are offered cheap to members considering that they only have to pay for one-time shareholder’s fee before the planting season starts. There are many types of arrangement when going for CSA depending on what’s convenient for both the farmer and his consumers, these are:

·    Farm-to-home delivery set-up. In this arrangement the farmer will have the produce delivered to his consumers or the consumer picks it up after harvest all boxed up and ready to go. The only problem in this set-up is that the consumer would have to put up with what goes in his or her box since it is all up to the farmer’s discretion.
·    On-farm handpicking set-up. Consumers are allowed to pick their own share in the farm when harvesting season arrives. The only drawback is that this set-up tends to leave the farm in pieces after the harvest is over such as trampled plants. Not to mention this one angry shareholder who happens to be late for the picking.
·    Market style set-up. To avoid farm destruction, some resourceful farmers opt to put up a small stall outside of the farm and put together the produce for the consumers to choose from. This way, everyone is happy to have a variety a produce but also the farmer won’t have to worry about the state of his farm during handpicking sessions.

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Forest farming involves trimming down, albeit cautiously, some certain genus to reestablish balance and equilibrium of a particular forest. Forest farming is encouraged in areas wherein there is an existing issue of overabundance of certain species which restrict growth of other living organisms essential in the biological cycle. Some of the most popular harvests are exotic mushrooms such as Shiitake and other medicinal, edible fungi. This method of farming is not only about harvesting but also it involves planning and cultivating to ensure that the biocycle is not destroyed in any way. Forest farming proves to be a fun and profitable venture that anyone could explore.

Several government funded seminars are conducted to teach locals residing near forest areas about forest farming methods and techniques, as well as the kinds of mushrooms that could be grown in the area. These seminars go as far as how and where to sell your produce after harvests. Aside from mushrooms, there are other crops you can find, grow and harvest in forests since they have rich and very fertile soil that could grow practically anything you can think of. These crops include, but not limited to:  ginseng and ferns which are used for medicinal and ornamental purposes.

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A wallaby is also referred to as miniature kangaroo. A wallaby and a kangaroo share the same features but size since a wallaby’s maximum height is only about 41 inches. These species are usually found in Australia and its neighboring cities. They can be bred and sold if a particular farm is duly licensed by governing agencies. Wallabies come in 30 different types with their own sets of personalities but apparently, breeders’ choice for families who are just starting out with exotic animals is the Bennett’s wallaby. This type of wallaby is much calmer and less nocturnal which makes them a good pet and a rewarding hobby. Bennett’s wallabies are more adjusted in living around humans even if they are not bred in farms.

Wallabies are low maintenance mammals. They are herbivores so they mainly graze. If you’re adapting a wallaby, be sure to have a land full of grass and plants where your pet can munch all day long. You’ll also need to fence them in so they won’t get lost. Don’t forget to give them water as well. Wallabies can be trained and make a good house pets as well. Joeys can be bottle-fed if they were taken home by new owners at an early age and still grow healthy and well adjusted to human companionship.

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