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NWP Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists - Winder, Georgia, USA

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2507325073250732507325073Organic_Farming
Winder, Georgia, USA
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Vmachine



Registered: September 2019
City/Town/Province: Johns Creek
Posts: 1
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USDA Non-Organic Certified. 0% natural products. rBST-Growth Hormones. These are words that we do not want to hear in our everyday life. They represent an uneducated past and are a direct product of the green revolution. Most importantly, they shine light on the careless and ruthless nature of humanity. Unfortunately, society still continues to ignore all the research and warning signs. They have minimized organic farming to a fashion trend or niche habit that will pass over time. Unfortunately, I was one of them. I did not take a moment to comprehend that nitrogen and phosphorus runoff can cause algae blooms that suffocate other life. I did not care about the increased pathogen resistance or even stopped to consider the potential drawbacks of GMO. I just wanted affordability, convenience, and peace of mind just like other consumers.


Everything changed when I took a bite of a peach from my own home state of Georgia. The sweetness of the peach was mind blowing. The nectar was sweeter than any artificial drink I have had and the smooth texture of the flesh melted in my mouth. The burst of flavor made me realize that this was the first time I had truly tasted real, wholesome deliciousness. I was at a local farm stand in Georgia and immediately ask the seller about the peach and how it was grown. She mentioned that it was all grown locally and organically. This was when I realized what I was missing out on. I slowly began to research about what organic farming has to offer. Organic Farming truly has the potential to limit the damage we do to the environment on a daily basis. The use of natural pesticides and insecticides discourages the spread of disease resistance and promotes biodiversity. It builds healthy soils and prevents the soil erosion that is becoming increasingly common.


I began to seek out ways to help the environment and promote organic farming in my community. As an avid believer in environmental conservation, I was attracted to the missions and values of the Nicodemus Wilderness Project and sought out to be an apprentice ecologist. I reached out to local organic farms in the farming community of Winder, Georgia for volunteering opportunities who were open to new idea implementation and growth. Organic farming has taught me about the crop rotation of corn, wheat, oats and other produce to help with balance in soil and enough nutrients. In order to create fertilizer, farmers compost the food waste in a process known as static piles. Perforated pipe and blowers force air through the pipe and into the static piles to speed up the composting process and produce fertilizer for our plants. I also learnt how to manage animals in rotational grazing and focused on giving enough time for grass to grow before they are grazed on again.


I was not satisfied just knowing about organic farming methods and wanted to innovate and promote organic farming in Georgia. I am currently volunteering and pioneering in a farm to help build a greenhouse that will be able to allow for farming year round and still maintain organic standards. We are utilizing unique ways to use common everyday items that we throw away and incorporate into fertilizer. The main shortcoming of organic farming is its inability to match the yields of conventional farming, and I plan to change that. Vertical organic farming allows us to increase crop production and yield year round in Georgia through controlled temperature and humidity. I am also calculating ways to stack the plants and allow for better distribution of soil content and capture maximum sunlight.


I hope to be able to give my local community the resources and tools to survive in harmony with the environment. We often fail to realize and understand the vast impacts and effects that industrialization, pollution, and fertilizers have on our environment. Earth is a fragile ecosystem that has supported us for years and has fostered our growth. It is imperative that we conserve our environment and embrace what nature has given us.
· Date: September 7, 2019 · Views: 3216 · File size: 20.5kb, 563.6kb · : 1536 x 2048 ·
Hours Volunteered: 15
Volunteers: 1
Authors Age & Age Range of Volunteers: 17
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