Sunday, March 1, 2009

Great reasons for growing veganically!

From a farmer’s or gardener’s perspective...

There are a wide variety of reasons why farmers choose veganic techniques, including ethical and environmental considerations, consumer demand, and the availability of fertilizers. Many of these reasons will also apply to gardeners. (information borrowed from the Veganic Agriculture Network [please visit LINK on the right]

Improving soil life and fertility

By adding organic plant-based materials to the soil, the microorganisms within the soil can flourish, and enhance the soil structure and fertility of your land.

A lower ecological footprint

Veganic agriculture encourages techniques that are environmentally sustainable, and that reduce CO2 emissions.

Save time and land

Compared to farms that produce their own fertilizer by using animals, maintaining fertility through plant-based techniques can save time and increase the amount of usable land.

Higher level of self-sufficiency

By reducing inputs and producing your own sources of fertility, it’s possible to live more self-sufficiently from your own land.

Protecting animals

For farmers and gardeners who are interested in animal protection, veganic growing is a perfect way to combine your ethics with your agriculture, since this system of growing food does not use any pesticides or animal products.

Biodiversity and environmental conservation

Veganic standards encourage the biodiversity of free-living animals and native plant species, and the environmental conservation of the farmer’s holding.

100% organic, from start to finish

Animal-based fertilizers, like manure and blood meal, often come from animals that were not raised organically. They may have been exposed to chemicals, GMO feed, hormones, and antibiotics. Veganic growers can maintain fertility on their own holding using completely organic plant-based techniques, ensuring that the entire cycle of agriculture is 100% organic.

Visit the LINKS column on the right for an indepth look at these topics and others.

What is veganic agriculture?

Also called stock-free farming, vegan-organics is a system which avoids all artificial chemical products (synthetic fertiliser, pesticides, growth regulators), genetically modified organisms, animal manures and slaughterhouse by-products (blood, fish meal, bone meal, etc).

DIVA employs the word 'veganiculture' to reflect the integration of vegan-organics, permaculture techniques free of domestic animals, and the cross-cultural adoption of veganism as a dietary and lifestyle choice where possible around the world.