Happy New Year

Happy New Year from your sustainable farm friend!
I have been having a winter overhaul, my mechanic ( a friend and very good orthopedic) fused a few more crumbly bones in my back side. I've been out of the field since September but now back in the game!
Well my first post in 2010 is another affirmation of the righteousness of Direct Seeding. We had a very cold period prior to Christmas that froze our soil about a foot deep. Shortly after New Years Day we had 4 to 5 inches of snow. Then in very typical Palouse fashion the temperature rose and the rain came down. Unfortunately the ground was still frozen. The results were very predictable, the soil not under direct seeding is making its way to the ocean!

It did not take long for the snow to melt
With the ground froze the water left very quickly scouring the fields soil, nutrients and pesticides
From Cow Creek to Palouse River to Snake River to Columbia River
our resource is lost forever!



Here is what happens to a Direct Seeded Field in the same area that still had its residue. The ground was also frozen but as the snow melted the water that could not be held by the residue left the field slowly and almost clear!

It is hard to appreciate in this picture but the runoff is almost crystal clear
(no soil or pesticides!) HOO RAY for the Direct Seeder!!

Well winters not over yet, so stay close to whoever keeps ya WARM!