Biodiversity

In our newsletter this week for the CSA, Trevor talks about Biodiversity.  I thought I would post that portion here:

One of the organic production methods is called "biodiversity." Biodiversity can be applied to both produce production and animal production, or a mixture. It’s a rather broad term that essentially means that a healthy ecosystem is created using complimentary plants, animals, and processes that help build fertile, organic soils, reduce or eliminate the need for pesticides, and produce nutrient dense foods.
In the case of organic produce farmers, they are usually looking for the right mix of crops that will grow well in their soils and environment and provide adequate pest protection. A good organic produce production will incorporate certain plants to help attract predatory insects. These insects aren’t harmful to the plants; instead, they eat the insects that are harmful to the plants.

Other organic methods include the use of cover crops and crop rotation. Some fields will lay fallow for a year or two while the soil is built up. The farmer will plant different cover crops, such as barley, hairy vetch, or rye grass. The hairy vetch is a particularly popular one. The seed is cheap and the crop grows well. When the farm "plows it under," he is adding lots of nitrogen to the soil, which plants need to grow.
The cover crops also tend to loosen up the soil. The root structure can break up clumps of dirt and rock to make a better drained, more loose soil. When it comes to animal production, biodiversity takes on a different meaning. It is the ability to raise various types of livestock in harmony so that their processes are complimentary.