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of the earthworms in a field, and the earthworm is the farmer’s best friend,” Bird said. “The earthworms break up hard pans and make the soils better and more porous.”
Bird admits that the yields from biological farming are not as great at times, but he said that it all equals out since the costs are much less due to the use of the compost, or home raised fertilizer. “Last year, we raised 15 tons of corn per acre, and that’s respectable,” Bird said. “We only spent $30 an acre for fertilizer, though, and that fertilizes the com, the small grain put in after the com and then the hay.”
Developing healthy soil is the main goal of all biological farmers. “I believe that the major life on earth happens underground with bacteria and other organisms, and that that life is threatened by the chemicals being used on the land,” Bird said. “By having healthy soil, you’ll have a healthy plant and then a healthy animal.”
The healthy environment created by biological farming reduces disease problems. “Chemicals alter the natural balance and that forces the farmer to have to take over and provide what the land can’t provide for itself anymore,” Bird said.
For feed, Bird uses hay and silage. Bird’s silage is made up of whole com plants that have been packed in trenches and have fermented. Bird feeds the silage to his horses, too, but only the best of the silage that has no mold.
The Birds market their products in a retail system. “The major group of people we market to are people that can’t stand any unnatural substances because they have what is known as ecological illness,” Bird said. “These are the kind of people who can’t live in a house with plywood in it because the glue makes them ill.”
Bird said that the illnesses or allergies can be caused by an auto immune trauma when the body is basically attacking itself. “The symptoms are similar to flu without the nasal implications,” Bird
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