Friday, February 6, 2015

Amish Farmers are reinventing Organic Agriculture.

                                                       Comments due byFeb. 13, 2015
“In the Second World War,” Samuel Zook began, “my ancestors were conscientious objectors because we don’t believe in combat.” The Amish farmer paused a moment to inspect a mottled leaf on one of his tomato plants before continuing. “If you really stop and think about it, though, when we go out spraying our crops with pesticides, that’s really what we’re doing. It’s chemical warfare, bottom line.”
Eight years ago, it was a war that Zook appeared to be losing. The crops on his 66-acre farm were riddled with funguses and pests that chemical treatments did little to reduce. The now-39-year-old talked haltingly about the despair he felt at the prospect of losing a homestead passed down through five generations of his family. Disillusioned by standard agriculture methods, Zook searched fervently for an alternative. He found what he was looking for in the writings of an 18-year-old Amish farmer from Ohio, a man named John Kempf.
Kempf is the unlikely founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture, a consulting firm established in 2006 to promote science-intensive organic agriculture. The entrepreneur’s story is almost identical to Zook’s. A series of crop failures on his own farm drove the 8th grade-educated Kempf to school himself in the sciences. For two years, he pored over research in biology, chemistry, and agronomy in pursuit of a way to save his fields. The breakthrough came from the study of plant immune systems which, in healthy plants, produce an array of compounds that are toxic to intruders. “The immune response in plants is dependent on well-balanced nutrition,” Kempf concluded, “in much the same way as our own immune system.” Modern agriculture uses fertilizer specifically to increase yields, he added, with little awareness of the nutritional needs of other organic functions. Through plant sap analysis, Kempf has been able to discover deficiencies in important trace minerals which he can then introduce into the soil. With plants able to defend themselves, pesticides can be avoided, allowing the natural predators of pests to flourish.
According to Kempf, the methods he developed through experimentation on his Ohio farm are now being used across North and South America, Hawaii, Europe, and Africa. The entrepreneur promises clients higher-quality crops, bigger yields, better taste, and produce that carries a lucrative “organic” label. Kempf, however, considers his process as an important improvement upon standard organic farming methods. “Organic certification is a negative-process certification,” he explained, “You can do nothing to your field and become certified. In contrast, we focus on actively restoring the balance found in natural systems.”
I recently sought out Samuel Zook, one of Kempf’s earliest converts, at his farm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to see Advancing Eco Agriculture’s practices in action. After trailing a leisurely horse and carriage in my car for several miles, I was greeted at the farm by a bounding dog and Zook’s young barefoot son. The boy stared silently with his arms wrapped around a watermelon almost as big as himself. In a straw hat and suspenders, he looked like a miniature version of his father. The elder Zook smiled demurely through a neatly trimmed beard and extended his hand before inviting me on a tour of his fields. A hushed gaggle of children tripped along behind us as we walked among the bales of hay and rows of tomatoes, onions, melons, and squash.

Roc Morin: Can you describe the differences between how you used to farm and how you farm now?
Samuel Zook: The inputs changed drastically. Instead of trying to grow crops that are healthy with fungicides and pesticides, I started to grow crops that are healthy with nutrition.
Morin: What was the hardest part about making the change?
Zook: Well, there was a big psychological block that I had to get through. I’d see a couple bugs out there and feel like I immediately had to do something about it. But, I learned that if I sit back, things will often take care of themselves. That first summer for instance, we saw a lot of horn worms. Before that, I would have sprayed them right away, but this time I waited and a bunch of wasps came along and killed them. Once I saw that, I started getting really excited.
Morin: So, when you use a pesticide you’re killing the predators too, right?
Zook: Right. You’re killing the entire ecosystem.
Morin: Have all of your problems disappeared?
Zook: I wish I could say that, but not entirely. We’re not living in the Garden of Eden yet. The issues I had before have disappeared, but we still have some other issues that we’re working on. One of the main things that has improved is how it feels to farm. Before, if I applied fungicide on my tomatoes, I had to wait three to seven days before I could reenter the area. Now, it’s so nice to just walk in my field any day of the week and not worry a bit. That in itself is huge. The other thing is, when I used to mix these skull-and-cross-bones chemicals to put in my sprayer, I’d have to be suited up. The children would be around and I’d say, “Now, get in the house. It’s not safe.” Now though, if the children want to help, it’s fine. If I want to mix the solutions better, I’ll just put my hand in a stir it around.
Morin: What are some of the problems that you’re dealing with now?
Zook: One of my major issues in the greenhouse is spider mites—little insects that just love a warm, dry environment. It’s very hard to control them, even conventionally. We usually get them under control, but we often lose some yield.
Morin: How do you get them under control?
Zook: Mainly through applying specific trace minerals like iodine and a whole line of ultra-micronutrients. We analyzed the sap of the plants with the help of a lab and I think we’ve narrowed the problem down to excessive ammonium nitrates. If ammonia builds up in the plants, it’s bug food, so we need to figure out a way to convert ammonia fast. I just spent two days with John [Kempf], and he came up with an enzyme cofactor which we’ll use to stimulate that ammonia conversion. We figure things out ourselves now rather than call up the chemical rep.
Morin: What did your chemical rep say when you told him that you didn’t need his services anymore?
Zook: Well, that was an interesting summer. He used to come here every week telling me horror stories about all the diseases in the neighborhood. But, I had made up my made up my mind, “No mas.” He came back every week for eight weeks telling me what I needed to spray. I said, “I’m fine, thanks.” The last time he was here, we were out picking tomatoes and he walked over. He was looking around and talking about this and that, and he didn’t even mention pesticides. “Well,” he said, “your tomatoes look pretty good.” I thought, “Yes!”

18 comments:

  1. It is good to know that Amish farmers are reinventing organic agriculture. Referring to spraying crops with pesticides as chemical warfare is a frightening thought. However, if one truly thinks about it, by spraying pesticides you really are killing the entire ecosystem. With Kempf being able to discover deficiencies in important trace minerals which he can then introduce into the soil, he was able to turn around the world of agriculture. Since plants are now able to defend themselves and pesticides can be avoided, this allows the natural predators of pests to flourish.

    It was realistic for Zook to acknowledge that his problems have not disappeared entirely and he still has to deal with spider mites in the greenhouse, however, mention that the advantages outweigh his disadvantages. He is now able to walk in his field any day of the week and not worry a bit, unlike back then when he applied fungicide on his tomatoes and had to wait three to seven days before he could reenter the area. In addition, he is now able to let his children help him mix solutions and he no longer has to worry about their safety mixing chemicals.

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  2. Looking as how an Amish farmer, Samuel Zook, started looking on how he was losing a "war" changed the way of how organic agriculture works. Zook's studies and his analysis reinvent Organic Agriculture as it mostly works. Something I didn't know; that actually when spraying crops with pesticides that they work is to prevent the failures of crops, it really attacks a part of nature that eventually helps the crops to be better. Pesticides really kill the whole ecosystem as Zook says; with the help of Kempf studies we are able to make a turn in how Organic Agriculture functions. Taking the use of pesticides off, helps the predator, which where killed with pesticides, to take care of pests that naturally attack the crops.

    As Zook tells his story, before when he sprayed the crops with pesticides he was not even able to walk through them, he needed to wait several days and even suit up for walking and making mixtures. Now that the studies of Kempf show that with different nutrients and minerals the crops and be safe and also become better, and farming for Zook is much easier, safer, and also he can spend more time with his children in the crops.

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  3. Samuel Zook is an innovative farmer who has adapted to using organic agriculture practices. He mentions that the toxins within pesticides are not only harmful to the predictors on the plans but the humans who spray them and the crops themselves. For example, if I sprayed hairspray onto an apple to get rid of the worm inside, have ruined the apple completely there is no way that apple is safe for me to eat.

    Instead of destroying an ecosystem with chemicals, Kempf is demonstrating how you can easily rid crops of insects and predators by using safer alternatives. For example, when Zook found horn worms on his crops but instead of spraying chemicals, he decided to let nature take its course. A swarm of wasps came in and took care of the horn worms without the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides.

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  4. As we can see in this story about a young Amish farmer, Samuel Zook resembles how times are changing for the better as we continue to develop a more healthy and natural way to do things. By Samuel recognizing that spraying pesticides on crops is not only good for the crops he grows, the natural habitat of the wild life around it and therefore us who eat what he grows, he has protected us and the environment from dangerous substances for now and for future generations who follow his same method of farming.

    There have been numerous studies to prove how harmful the use of pesticides can be, for example; Harvard University released a study that found that exposure to pesticide residues on vegetables and fruit may double a child’s risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Pesticides have been linked to both short term and long term affects on human health.

    All crop farmers should follow in Samuel Zook's footsteps in not using pesticides, just like other laws have come into place to protect human health such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.

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  5. As a native New Yorker, where fruits and vegetables are easily purchased from the corner grocery store, it is difficult to envision the existence of agricultural combat between farmers and our natural world. When I have a bowl of strawberries or a salad with all the trimmings, I have never stopped to wonder about the physical labor involved, and the related process of maintaining and delivering the beautiful crops I seek to indulge. In addition, I was quite amazed to learn that the study of a plant’s immune system can be compared to and functions in “the same way as our own immune system”. Curing malnutrition in plants such that “healthy plants which can produce an array of compounds that are toxic to intruders” in a way, should not be that phenomenal; it is sensible that each living organism is equipped with specific defenses in order to control potential predators. Nature has a wonderful way of taking care of itself—incorporating our financial systems to reflect that natural equilibrium is of course more sustainable than all-out-war between harmful pesticides that accumulate through the ecosystem. Samuel Zook’s fear of losing his farm and a passion for developing healthier crops led him to discover John Kempf’s writings about organic farming. One man’s desire to seek answers and resolutions to a common dilemma has opened the door to national agricultural awareness.

    In a similar light, I have come across the story of a young lady in New York City who has fit two years’ worth of trash into one Mason jar. As an environmental studies major in New York University, she has completely switched to natural products and home-made shampoos, soaps, and the like in order to minimize plastic waste and has started her own line of such items that reduces environmental impact by removing harmful chemicals in her product line. When we are dedicated to change, the effort will be worth the while.

    Link to her story: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/this-23-year-old-went-two-years-without-creating-any-garbage-194730750.html

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  7. The above post exhibits to readers how the "chemical warfare" on farming has impacted the business and practices of some farmers. After analyzing chemicals and pesticides that are sprayed onto our grown products, farmers like Zook are "figuring things out themselves rather than calling up the chemical rep." John Kempf has worked to produce ways to encourage "science intensive organic agriculture”, in hopes of avoiding and stopping the current trends that he explains are killing our ecosystem. 



    While reading this post, I was shocked to discover that humans who farm are at times restricted from being around their crops because the chemically based pesticides are just too toxic for direct human contact. This post left me feeling uneasy about the products that I buy and consume, initially assuming that they are beneficial to me. Knowing how unhealthy these chemicals are and how regularly they are used should be something that all people are aware of. Essentially, are ecosystem and all humans would benefit from the transition from chemically based pesticides to organic nutrients preserving our farmed products.

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  8. I come from Istanbul which is a metropolitan city of Turkey and I always purchase fruits and vegetables from gross markets. I like purchasing these products while going to home. It becomes hard for me to understand the agricultural fights of farmers and the nature. I always carry cucumbers and apples but I never think about how they are raised and what farmers do. It has been interesting to learn that there is immune system of plants just like human beings. There are special defenses of each living organisms and it becomes important to control predators. Nature can take care of itself but I can understand the fear of Samuel Zook regarding loss of his farm. As a man likes to reach the answers for his problems, we have chance to learn about him and his desire for agriculture. It is great to read and witness that for me. It has been shocking for me to read that human beings are prevented from their farms because of chemically based pesticides. They have toxic for direct contact of human beings.

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  9. Samuel Zook describing the spraying of pesticides on his crops as chemical warfare is brilliant, and a great perspective. This story is proof that almost anything can be done in an alternative way with some research and trial and error. It took a lot of guts and determination on his part, and he was able to keep his farm alive for his kids to take over one day. I recently watch the film "Hungry For Change" which goes into many issues, one of them being the chemicals used on many of foods that we believe are healthy for us when they are actually hurting us. Hopefully more farmers will model after Mr. Kempf’s and Zook's pioneering in the industry and go for more natural farming. These chemicals I believe are another scam sold to farmers to give them false hope and convince them they will rid their farms of any pests and harmful bugs, but in reality are pretty much useless as we see in this case. The beautiful thing about our Earth and it's ecosystem is that it always has and always will find a way to correct itself and balance out if we just give it a chance.

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  10. This article is particularly interesting to me because my father owns a produce distribution company and he mentions the harmful pesticides that are sprayed on fruits and vegetables often. It is important for people to become aware of what chemicals are sprayed on their produce before consuming them and understand the harmful affects they could have on their body. Samuel Zook and Mr. Kempf exposed the "chemical warfare" and through research and innovation, made it possible for farmers to grow their crops naturally. Zook even admitted that the chemical sprays did little when it came to killing the fungi and pests. Now, whenever he sees a bug on his crop, he monitors the situation naturally knowing that the plants immune system and nature will take care of it. Hopefully this technique will be adopted by more farmers and will lead to healthier and safer produce.

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  11. In our day and age, we see people choosing more organic options rather than other food-processed condiments. Samuel Zook is a farmer who reinforces why it is important to keep his crops fresh rather than having them infected with fungicides and pesticides. It is good to see that he as a farmer is taking pride in growing healthy fruits and vegetables.
    The fact that Zook compared the infecting of his crops with combat shows that he believes in only growing organic fruits and vegetables. Being that the average consumer doesn’t do the necessary research into knowing where their goods from their local super market comes from, it is definitely a high standard Zook is setting for farmers everywhere. With that being said, I believe that is why healthy shoppers choose organic places to shop because they have regulations normal food and drug administration regulations simply don’t meet.
    I believe Zook has paved the way for organic farms everywhere and markets purchasing goods for retail. Even with the simplest bug spray on a vegetable to shun away a rodent, is crossing the line of Zooks expectations. Rightfully so, this is simply a stepping stone to reinventing the Amish farmers organic culture.

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  12. It is great that Amish farmers are finding new ways to innovate organic farming agriculture. Knowing that my food is filled with pesticides, and infused chemicals frightens me and everyone else who is conscience about what they are consuming. Spraying chemicals throughout the crops and using pesticides damages and effects the ecosystem surround the area. It can cause long-term problems. Kempf was able to find an important trace mineral that he introduced into the soil. His experiment promises his international clients higher-quality crops, bigger yields, and better taste. Learning that farmers are trying to find efficient and healthy ways to bring Its cool to know that most living things have the same type of system, such as plants having the same immune function has humans. Also, it brings me discomfort to know that some farmers cannot be present during certain times because of the chemicals.

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  13. Global agricultural green revolution happened in the 1960s, especially in South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and other countries,grain output has increased by many times. Along with the increased investment in agriculture such as fertilizers and pesticides, agricultural pollution gradually emerges. Fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals promote agricultural output, at the same time; also gradually destroy the regional agriculture ecological balance, and then make agricultural production is caught in a vicious cycle. Now agricultural ecological destructed, people are gradually changing the concept of agricultural production, unceasingly to explore, and to seek a new way, after many times of experiment, and people find a new method of planting in the end. A new kind of organic agricultural production mode is popularizing in the world step by step. According to the organic agriculture, people gradually find a balance between agricultural production and ecological system. Samuel Zook, an Amish farmer, is reinventing organic agriculture. He says that he focuses on actively restoring the balance found in natural systems, with plants able to defend themselves, pesticides can be avoided, allowing the natural predators of pests to flourish. However, if he uses a pesticide, he is not only killing the predators, but also killing the entire ecosystem too.

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  14. The largest effects on the green economy, and by far the largest contributor to our environmental health, is the means and industry of agriculture. Zook's comparison of chemical warfare with our own chemical use is eye opening, as we artificially stimulate agriculture. Before reading this article, I would argue that agriculture itself is artificial, and that the green revolution and our use of nitrogen fertilizers is the foundation of our food 'wealth' in the United States. Its amazing to think that I can go to a grocery store and have plentiful and relatively cheap food. But at a certain point, we have the means and technology to go beyond this; we must produce healthier food, for society and for the environment. Zook's passion, as palpable during this article, has really showed me that our artificial means producing food is slowly eating away at the natural health of society. Hopefully, Kempf's methods and other organic and natural methods of agriculture will become competitive and widespread in the United States, so that we may all live healthier lives.

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  15. I thought this piece with Samuel Zook, the Amish farmer, to be very interesting. At one point he found himself backed into a corner when it came to the idea of farming and going against chemicals and pesticides. Pesticides do rid your crops from potential insects and other critters from hanging around them but it damages the entire ecosystem. It harms the wild life that is native to the habitat, and us as well who will later eat those fruits and vegetables that are covered in chemicals.

    Although Zook is still fighting off insects and other issues that come about from not using pesticides, he is still content with his ability to farm naturally. The discoveries that John Kempf has made, the Amish farmer from Ohio, showed that the use of pesticides aren’t necessary as plants have a way to defend themselves from pests which will keep he ecosystem in order.

    It would be great to see more farmers use the methods that Kempf has developed. Not only will their crops be healthier and better for human consumption, but they will also be preserving the land that they use to develop them. I was always skeptical about the idea of “organic” fruits and vegetables, but it truly seems that it is something that we should pursue on a wider scale, letting everyone have access to them.

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  16. Samual Zook made the right decision when he decided to stop spraying his crops with toxic chemicals and pesticides, which have to be applied by someone wearing a hazmat suit. Not only is it better for the actual crops and land that it is grown on, but it is better for humans as well, because they are eating truly organic food.

    It would be a big step forward for more farmers to embrace the methods and research that Kempf spent time researching, as the benefits are great. As the interview states, insects are still a problem for Zook, but it looks like he is making good progress towards combatting that problem.

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  17. The true problem with farming is not that pesticides are inevitably ruining crops and making them unsafe for human consumption, in fact the problem is rooted a lot deeper than that. And that is American Ideals capitalizing on all agriculture and technological advances that have been made in the industry has made it that the economic profit has increased tremendously. Farmers are harvesting their crops faster than ever. So we need to make the agriculture business less about the money and more about a foundation that makes us.
    This new generation has radicalized organic foods, making it a fitter generation that has figured out that what we put into our bodies does matter. We have moved a step in the right direction understanding that its now how fast we harvest but how fast we harvest the right way. Not about quantity but quality.

    By:Yeison Gomezzarzuela

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  18. There are many benefits to organic farming. Indeed, as this agriculture uses no pesticides or pesticides and insecticides, which are intended to reduce the population of pests and can cause some adverse effects on health or the environment, we obtain healthy plants . Organic farming is protect the soil, the environment, and biodiversity .The vegetables from organic agriculture contain more minerals and micronutrients that are essential for our body, compared to vegetables grown in conventional farming. Besides food from organic agriculture have a positive influence on the development of the body. More organic foods do not cause allergies as much as industrial agriculture products. On the other hand, the economic balance of organic farming is often equal view higher than conventional agriculture, but there are also benefits: this farming needs more labor and poor farmers are favored.

    However, the products are more expensive because it is a culture that requires more labor, work and care. We should not use the entire cultivable area for vegetables so that soils are not depleted too quickly. (For breeding: it takes a lot of space).

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