2019 Crop; the debate what to plant and when.
Grahame Hunter
Public
Seen by 49
This thread is to discuss the types of crop which could be grown, and whether to sow an Autumn or a Spring crop. General comments about the ethos of OurField has its own active thread - this thread should be focussed on specific ideas about crops for harvesting in 2019
Poll Created Mon 27 Aug 2018 5:10PM
Lets be commercial! Closed Sun 2 Sep 2018 10:02PM
The proposal to grow a commercial wheat crop was rejected.
This was a very successful vote because the outcome was clear; it is a strong no to following the traditional path of farming.
I was especially struck by Wahome's comment; he pointed out " A convenient choice now doesn't organically flow into an enlightened one later".
A few of the comments I quote below show the dilemma members found themselves in:-
"I am persuaded by the comments from other "agree" voters that stability and observation of field/soil/yield conditions this year would help us have freedom to be more experimental in future years."
"I joined this project to learn and support John Cherry to try something different."
"I worry that taking a commercial stance may well limit our choices and necessitate growing a crop that needs lots of spraying."
"Until we understand how to sell effectively beyond the farm gate we need to consider very carefully."
"good farming is a mix of building beauty, ecology and profitability. I joined this project to iterate on all three together..."
As a result of this vote, the organising team will very soon put up a vote on crops for the Cooperative to consider whilst not following a purely commercial regime. It many ways the result of the first round is exciting because it demonstrated that the group has appetite and commitment to do something which may not be the safe choice but could be special..
Voting Yes is to wish the Cooperative to grow a purely commercial Autumn wheat crop within the Conservation Agriculture no-till system prevailing at Weston.
Voting No is to wish to do something more adventurous or more experimental.
If the consensus is "NO, Lets NOT be commercial!" , there will be a follow up vote VERY SOON on the precise nature of a putatively more adventurous, more risky,more experimental crop.
If the consensus is "YES, Lets be commercial!", then the crop will most likely be be Crusoe wheat, direct drilled in September, into the cover crop which will likely be terminated with a light application of glyphosate; in a similar regime to what John Cherry is doing elsewhere at Weston.
Results
| Results | Option | % of points | Voters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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Agree | 39.4% | 13 |
|
| Abstain | 0.0% | 0 | ||
| Disagree | 60.6% | 20 |
|
|
| Block | 0.0% | 0 | ||
| Undecided | 0% | 25 |
|
33 of 58 people have participated (56%)
Christine Lewis
Tue 28 Aug 2018 4:03AM
Voting yes to go commercial because we haven't yet sold the Spelt and really need some stability
Oliver Rubinstein
Tue 28 Aug 2018 10:44AM
Although I would be keen to explore the potential to develop a unique #OurField product, the practical realities of this are challenging (and costly) so it seems like a good idea to go with a more conventional crop, to make sure we have some money in the bank to continue growing in 2019. We can hopefully get involved in John's crop management decisions for the wheat, so it will still be a fascinating insight and a chance for collective engagement.
Keesje
Tue 28 Aug 2018 1:31PM
I'd like to do something different.
Anna Öhrling
Wed 29 Aug 2018 8:48AM
I'm voting Agree for two reasons. First it would be great to understand whether the cover crop has increased soil fertility by growing a wheat crop. Second it would be good to have commercial stability this year to allow more experimentation in the years to come.
Wendy Alcock
Wed 29 Aug 2018 9:39AM
Tough choice. I really would like to try a heritage crop but realise this is probably not the best year for it.
Kath Dalmeny
Wed 29 Aug 2018 12:06PM
I am persuaded by the comments from other "agree" voters that stability and observation of field/soil/yield conditions this year would help us have freedom to be more experimental in future years.
wahome
Thu 30 Aug 2018 5:27AM
[Note from clause 5 of founding team's "manifesto of being and working together"] Greater vision - we reject traditional ideas of success and endeavour to remind ourselves of the greater good and vision of a just, sustainable and ecological future that fuels our work together
wahome
Thu 30 Aug 2018 5:42AM
[Note from clause 5 of founding team's "manifesto of being and working together"] Greater vision - we reject traditional ideas of success and endeavour to remind ourselves of the greater good and vision of a just, sustainable and ecological future that fuels our work together [end note] Key action words for me: "work together". Otherwise, the ideal is unattainable, which would then call into question the reason for being.
Grahame Hunter · Mon 27 Aug 2018 5:00PM
two stage vote
There have been many exciting suggestions for the next crop; but I would like first to focus members attention in a first-stage vote on whether they would be interested in growing a purely commercial crop, within the Conservation Agriculture system of Weston, or a more experimental crop as yet undefined (but could include heritage grains, other pulses or legumes, Spelt again etc).
John Cherry has decided to grow Crusoe wheat on the main fields at Weston under a no-till regime. This would offer the safest approach, and especially would give the 2017 members the surest chance to recoup some of the past 2 years farming losses.
This "commercial crop" option is not entirely regressive - for by strengthening the cash resources of the depleted 2017 members, it could leave the cooperative in a stronger financial position to pursue a more experimental approach later. I leave it to other members to spell out the arguments for and against.