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One of the ideas for big farms is that you don't have 2 crops, you have a main crop and then you have other plants acting as a support for that main crop. Depen

One of the ideas for big farms is that you don't have 2 crops, you have a main crop and then you have other plants acting as a support for that main crop. Depending on the crop and climate/soil you pick the types of legumes that will cover the surface and provide nitrogen fixation, as well as reduce evaporation and stop deep-rooted weeds from growing (as they compete with the main crop for nutrients). Then you can plant wild flower plants around the fields in order to bring in the predatory insects who will protect your crops from aphids and other pest. You can also leave the isles of trees and hedges that will attract birds, foxes and weasels that will feed on insects and rodents. Organic farmers have been experimenting with this for decades, it's nothing new.

jelliclesfarm 7y ago
The solution is not large farms but smaller farms that are mostly automated. This also means more jobs for a country that is going to churn out so many STEM educated youth. It’s time to start changing how we grow food.
- Nasrudith 7y ago
  Why would automation be limited to smaller farms? That is the opposite of the usual scenario where larger operations have the capital to scale up further. "Generating more jobs" is putting the cart before the horse - the point of a job is the utility gain from performing it. If it involves more jobs to keep the status quo that is a bad thing.
  - jelliclesfarm 7y ago
    Because you can’t scale automation for large farms. Ag has too many variables ..soil, weather, pests etc. you can have different environments and zones in the same farm. Creating new jobs is important in ‘new Ag’ because it would be increasingly technical and need STEM expertise. Right now..basically it’s running because we can get poor people desperate enough to work on minimum wage.
ficklepickle 7y ago
Three sisters[0]. Much older than decades. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(agriculture) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(agriculture)

jelliclesfarm 7y ago

The solution is not large farms but smaller farms that are mostly automated. This also means more jobs for a country that is going to churn out so many STEM educated youth. It’s time to start changing how we grow food.

Nasrudith 7y ago
Why would automation be limited to smaller farms? That is the opposite of the usual scenario where larger operations have the capital to scale up further. "Generating more jobs" is putting the cart before the horse - the point of a job is the utility gain from performing it. If it involves more jobs to keep the status quo that is a bad thing.
- jelliclesfarm 7y ago
  Because you can’t scale automation for large farms. Ag has too many variables ..soil, weather, pests etc. you can have different environments and zones in the same farm. Creating new jobs is important in ‘new Ag’ because it would be increasingly technical and need STEM expertise. Right now..basically it’s running because we can get poor people desperate enough to work on minimum wage.

ficklepickle 7y ago

Three sisters[0]. Much older than decades. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(agriculture) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(agriculture)