In 2008, Raven Rocks received a Family Farm Conservation Award from the Belmont Soil & Water Conservation District. The information supplied to BSWC prior to the award, and the acceptance speech for the award, gives some of the reasoning and philosophy behind our focus on organic farming.
Ohio Conservation Awards Saturday, May 3, 2008
The farming practices before 1970 had depleted organic matter resulting in poor sod cover and erosion. There was a limited supply of water, especially during the summer. Organic farming practices were implemented including the use of natural soil amendments and a forage based cow/calf operation. Reserving 80% of the land for forest is important both as carbon sequestration and increasing the purifying “lung” capacity of our earth.
Our most ambitious and unusual solution to degrading environmental practices is sky mining where we find ways to use energy that comes to us every day through the sky. We have used a solar pump to supply livestock water. We currently use some wind produced electricity on our pressurized water system that accommodates each paddock of our intensive rotational grazing system. Wind and solar electricity also assist a walk- in meat freezer, as well as heating and cooling of buildings. We use the warmth of the ground to modify building temperatures and use the sun to help heat our chicken coop, houses and shop.
Springs have been developed along with the woodland and stream fencing. With a shortage of ground water, we now make extensive use of pond water. Organic cultural practices include timely mowing of pasture to reduce weed growth and encourage grasses; also hand control of insects in the Christmas trees. An egg mobile follows the cattle’s rotational grazing pattern allowing the chickens to get as much as 80% of their protein from fly larvae in cow pies plus other insect pests on pasture.
In the winter, the cows are kept in the barn, so as not to tear up the sod. Also we do not have to start up a tractor for feeding. The manure is spread in the fields after the first cutting of hay when it can be best utilized.
The property was originally purchased to save picturesque ravines from strip mining. Later, cooperation with a local long wall mine minimized damage from subsidence.
Sustainable techniques for our homes and projects were researched and installed: composting toilets (for use in orchards and flower beds), insulation, solar, wind, efficient windows, appliances and heating. We shared our research and experience with numerous individuals planning their own energy saving, environmentally friendly buildings. An innovative concrete mixing system was purchased for use on home and farm construction. Public television did a 1⁄2 hour video on the underground buildings. Malcolm Wells, architect, featured Raven Rocks in his book Gentle on the Land and other books he has published. Numerous magazines and newspapers have also published stories about Raven Rocks.
Visitors are a regular part of our outreach, from elementary, high school, and college classes to urban environmental organizations. We hosted the Belmont County Rubberneck Tour twice, Monroe Tour, Ohio Solar Home tour, and many individuals, including international visitors.
“Story cards” are given to each of our thousands of Christmas tree customers explaining our project and highlighting environmentally friendly practices. We sell our organic grass-fed beef and eggs at the Worthington Farmer’s market, and assist our Amish neighbors by also taking their organic produce.
Part of the farm is open for the public to enjoy. We are in the process of finding long term protection for the 1000 acres of woodlands and ravines while preserving 200+ acres for farming.
It is more rewarding to cooperate with natural processes than to exploit them. We want to enhance nature’s ability to provide for all God’s creatures.
Other Conservation Techniques:
One practice that we have found to be especially helpful is the rotational grazing of the cattle in combination with our ‘egg mobile’. The egg mobile is an old manure spreader converted a roofed mobile hen house that is moved from paddock to paddock a couple of days behind the cattle timed to the larva development in the cow ‘pies’. The hens get up to 80% of their protein from these larva and other insect pests in the fields and reduce the fly problem for the cattle. The cattle nearby provide some degree of protection for the hens. The egg mobile has nests, water, feed, and roosts. At night after the hens have roosted, we close the door to keep out raccoons and opossums. The eggs are very high in omega three oils, and in extreme demand because of their superior flavor and nutrition. The pastures have made a near miraculous recovery from weedy growth on thin soil to lush grasses on a more drought resistant sod.
We try to work with the seasons and weather, not ignoring them because they are not cooperating with our plans and schedules. Not taking tractors out on the fields while they are saturated avoids rutting and compaction of the soil.