The Three Sisters
What's going on?
- Crop rotation is a popular and easy way for a farmer to make sure his land stays fertile. By changing the crops which a farmer plants in each section every year, the farmer can assure that no one crop will use all of the nutrients in the soil. Plowing crops back under the soil after the fall harvest helps them to decompose and replenishes the nutrients that the plants used during the growing season.
- Compost heaps provide another way that farmers can recycle unused by-products from the farm. Grass clippings and unused portions of the crops decompose and provide a nutrient-dense mulch. By spreading this mulch over the farm fields, farmers replenish the productivity of the soil, making the soil more fertile and allowing more yield from the crops.
What you can do:
- Help our local farmers by buying your fruits and vegetables at a local farmers' market. By purchasing from local farmers, you help our economy and also help our environment. Many times there are less pesticides and chemicals on produce bought at these markets, so it is healthier for you, too.
- Buy organic produce at the supermarket. Very often, 100% organic food comes from farms that are environmentally aware. By supporting these farms, you help support a healthier environment. To learn more about organic labels, check out this website at http://pacd.org/resources/PAResources-00/p4.htm.
- Explore some agricultural technology that is happening at the Rodale Institute by visiting http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/home.html.
Agriculture Links:
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