Organic Innovation Series Episode 1: Low Input Farming - Helmer's Organic Farm

Low inputs, extensive cover cropping and long rotations—these are all key to building soil health and fertility. In this episode, we visit Helmer’s Organic Farm in Pemberton, British Columbia, where Anna and Doug Helmer share details of their farming practices and how they provide their crops with most of what they need with little to no external fertilizers.

Then, we take a deeper dive with Teresa Porter, Master of Soil Science and Articling Agrologist, as she shares her expert knowledge about what might be happening in the soil as a result of these practices.

This episode was produced with the support of the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

[madalynnewton]

Beautiful, most ethical farmers I have ever heard of ever!!!!

[davidrave]

I love how they developed their farm . It just goes to show how land and time intensive it is to grow truly organic. Their rotation/cover crop program means their productivity is 1/5 of the potential of a conventional farm.

[TristanBanwell]

Great video! Best potatoes around. I love the tine weeder line - "It's more of a pluck-n-fluff than rescue mission." 😂

[sueperkins]

I love the Helmer's love of the soil.

[littlenugs]

The secrets in the cover crop that you put down every year. Also rotating your fields is a game changer. Must be a nice piece of property

[thatguychris]

All that time mowing could be saved by grazing animals in a strictly managed way. They would add fertility back to the soil faster as well. Doing a cow/chicken system like Joel Salatin would boost this farm's income big time.

[soniahofmann]

I call that the chop and drop method... love your philosophy

[thomcdixon]

I wonder what the effects of integrating ruminants would be.

[ThatBritishHomestead]

love this, its very intresting to see how you do things on a large scale

[savesoil]

Amazing 🌱🌱🌱
#SaveSoil #ConsciousPlanet

[peterclark]

They are so close to understanding regenerative agriculture you can only wonder why they bother with the bureaucracy of Organic. Biodynamics sure, that's part art. Weeds are the sign that the soil is not fully healthy (they don't survive in rich soil, except in the seed bank). The humus layer (mulch) is *the most important* concern, a farmer doesn't need to see the soil, the soil doesn't need to see them, the sun, the clouds or sky either, it's worm food with rain/sun/wind protection. The Drill (mentioned, 13:33) is the most invasive tool needed. Rotation is old hat (Dr. Elaine Ingham), Potatoes just need to be pushed into the mulch and covered with straw 8-12". Didn't hear of their using compost spays, a powerful technique.

[tbbbbb]

Wouldn't animals make a wonderful difference?

[williamryan]

Nice video, how did you solve the wireworms problem?

[snehakarajgikar]

Why 4 years why not 2 or 5, how you decide 4 yrs

[sunilojwani]

how can we deal with insect in organic farming