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Burr Oak Produce - HISTORY
A Natures' Way Farm, nestled on a high sand basin within the
coulee region hills of the
drift-less area in western Wisconsin.
Our Burr Oak farm site was purchased in 1969 by my
father after selling the family dairy farm. During the 60's & 70's very involved in science, biology and
land conservation in school, I brought these interests home to rest.
I left home to return 20 years the later and started what is now
Burr Oak Produce. The business
has had its ups and downs over the years but the land stands true.
After
respectfully caring for and working the land for several years it was becoming evident that something
was missing in the "big picture of things". Rosa and I could
both sense the land was telling us something. Being Certified
Organic and applying all the common organic
practices and methods just wasn't enough. Even though we had practiced all the
natural growing methods, resting, rotation, mulching, compost, no chemical pesticides, no
herbicides, no synthetic chemical fertilizers, ...yet something just wasn't
right. The food looked great and was tasty etc... but it seemed
to lack life-energy.
Over the winter of
1998 -'99 while reminiscing in a box of school items, I came across some articles and study notes. The most interesting were the notes on Biodynamic farming.
In these notes I believe I found the element that was missing. After some quick
research and deep thought I started to plan. The final basic plan was to
let blocks of the land lay fallow to intensively and biodynamically rebuild these areas,
while growing on the remaining land.
The next spring my plan was put into action. One third of the tillable land was to lay
fallow for a period of two years. I could tell the healing process was really starting to work the second year.
Summer 2001 the crops grew phenomenally well in the biodynamically healed
soil. Their smells, feel, texture and flavors are so pleasing but more
important, the food was fully wholesome and satisfying
Unfortunately for me in 2001, I was losing a little energy day by day and could barely make it
through a half day of light work without laying down to rest. I found I had liver
and kidney problems.
Fortunately for me, a family member and I had several
discussions about Biodynamic gardening vs. organic gardening,
alternative and nutritional healing, homeopathy, supplements, etc..
These discussions led me to think maybe nutritional supplements and diet
changes would work a lot like
the Biodynamic farming principles I was using to heal the land. I sought
out some
suggestions for nutritional supplements to augment my natural biodynamically
grown food, which
would cleanse my body and help my body to heal itself. After strict diet
change, eating only healthy, (cutting out, MSG, CMP,
white sugar, high fructose corn syrup and the likes of
these cheaply produced poisonous chemicals that are
called food) along with taking
the essential nutritional supplements recommended for my condition, I began to notice
the difference in my energy level within a few days. I noticed
the changes and subtle differences in how I felt and my energy was
increasing daily. Within a few weeks I could put in a full day of work.
Three months later I was working 12-14 hr days and more.
The human body like the earth is an amazing organism.
In many cases if the damage is not too sever both can heal themselves.
YOUR BEST INSURANCE IS
PREVENTION!!
Continuing with the farm
history...
We have kept our core of CSA customers with us now for
over 10 years. Conversations with several
members and other farmers was spark that lit the fire
and brought this
new organization of gardeners and small farmers to
light.
We will continue to grow an provide high quality
produce to our members and community of neighbors and
farmers market customers, however my personal focus
will be on the cultivation of a much larger crop of
members and farmers, joining together to grow healthy
communities in our area, and with plans of a global
network.
I wrote down some
notes from a research report that you need to read.
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