First, the basic situation
Founded in 1984 and located 70 miles northeast of Dallas, Texas, the Good Earth Organic Farm covers 175 acres and turns land that was initially filled with harmful chemicals into sweet, fertile soil after a 35-year process of rotating livestock and crops. About 5 years ago, the farm obtained organic certification from Texas, and the toxin residue previously used has been reduced to zero. Since 1984, the farm has grown seasonal fruits and vegetables organically and grass-fed sheep through the implementation of sustainable agricultural techniques. The farm's goals are focused on the natural growth of food, as well as maintaining homeostasis and preventing disease.
Second, the characteristics of industrial resources
Good Earth Organic Farm offers fresh, organic produce, as well as herbivious, pasture-raised lambs. The farm has a garden, a conservatory and many fruit trees. Due to the seasonality of farming, different products are available at different times throughout the year. Plants including fruit trees, grapes, seasonal vegetables, garlic and other plants are currently being grown, while 100% grass-fed grass-fed lambs are being raised, and the lamb produced is pesticide-free, GMO-free, radiation-free, MONOSG-free, nitrate-free, and preservative-free. In addition to this, the farm includes a 100-year-old barn, a new hay barn, a greenhouse, workshops, several smaller barns, a shaded house and a brand new small house.
Good Earth Organic Farm offers year-round opportunities for those with a keen interest in agriculture to learn about sustainable living, with volunteers having the opportunity to participate in all routine chores, cooking, gardening and greenhouse work, sheep herding, dog breeding and grooming, general maintenance of farmers' markets, housing, fencing and equipment.
The College of Sustainable Agriculture is a 501c3 certified non-profit organization associated with Good Earth Organic Farms. Its mission is to provide information and hands-on opportunities for people interested in learning about and learning about sustainable agricultural practices. By using farms as living classrooms, bring people closer to their food. Farms work primarily with school-age children, farmers, and interested individuals or groups in the local community.
Good Earth Organic Farm Campground is a woodland near a river bed about the size of a football field. It is located on a Good Earth organic farm with beautiful views of the ranch, 5 acres of pond, and the farm. The campsite is set back from the road and other houses and enjoys a peaceful atmosphere. Trees include willows, vultures, oaks, etc.
Third, the development model
Sustainability combined with experience: When Good Earth organic farmers bought the farm in 1984, they decided to take the organic approach. He realizes that sustainability is inextricably linked to organic practices, that it is necessary to feed the soil to feed plants, that the use of crops and grazing animals is key, and that by opening the farm to customers so that they themselves understand the sustainable organic farming practices used on the farm.
Fourth, experience to learn
1. Pursue the sustainable development concept of "local, ecological and circular"
Through crop planting and grazing of animals, the breeding process is pesticide-free and radiation-free, and the symbiosis and co-cultivation of local organisms are pursued to achieve the sustainable development of farm recycling.
2. Prerequisites for organic agriculture – land health
It took 35 years for farmers to change livestock and crops to improve and fertilize the soil, thus meeting the prerequisites for the development of organic agriculture. The ancient Japanese motto "do soil before planting, educate people before making soil", and the low content of soil organic matter will cause problems such as "melon is not sweet, vegetables are not fragrant, and fruit is tasteless" in production, so organic agriculture must pay attention to land health.
3. Achieve sustainable development Agricultural science and technology need to be the first
Since 1984, farms have been reborn through the continuous implementation of sustainable agricultural technologies. The development of organic farms is inseparable from agricultural science and technology, vigorously promote the reduction of agricultural inputs, clean production, waste recycling, industrial model ecology, and continuously improve the ecological environment of the whole region; In addition, the use of agricultural Internet of Things technology and other scientific and technological means can be a good solution to the biggest bottleneck in the development of organic agriculture - the problem of tracing the source of agricultural products quickly.
4. A new model of sustainable development of farms - traditional agriculture + new business thinking
Traditional agriculture mainly focuses on the business model of buying and selling "agricultural products" to achieve value, good Earth organic farmers have jumped out of the agricultural product thinking, with "lifestyle and experience" as the starting point, with the consumption experience to obtain the brand value of the farm.
Agricultural Planning and Design Institute of China Agricultural University
One village, one product research group
Agricultural Planning Service Platform of China Agricultural University