This week we had the opportunity to go to the Pfeiffer Center again and get another wonderful tour of their facilities. Mac was kind enough to lead us around, but before the tour he gave us an in-depth explanation of Biodynamics. Though we have been learning about this method almost the entire semester, it is still great to hear it broken down for us by an expert! I still feel that I know very little about this complex way of farming and growing plants/food. Mac also helped to explain some of the preps that go into the compost or are sprayed onto the plants to maximize results. Though the process for the making of these preps is pretty intense and time consuming (one of them has to be stirred vigorously in water for 1 hour, and that is after is has been buried in the ground for several months!), you only need a very tiny bit for an acre of land. Also, the results of adding these preps speak for themselves, allowing beautiful and healthy plants to grow and thrive. This method is truly incredible, and the results are really undeniable. We were able to taste these amazing results at the Hand and Hoe Cafe for lunch. The meals there are always delicious and undeniably fresh. The greens for the salad alone are better than any supermarket lettuce out there!
In addition, Mac told us some things we can do in our own garden to implement biodynamics there. The main idea is that "you should get the things you need for your farm from your farm" (Mac). This means using the the manure from the animals on his farm, and putting it back into the dirt. This manure, especially cows' manure since it has been so processed, is great for the soil because it is composed of plants grown on the farm which have taken out nutrients deep in the soil. This nutrients, since it is being placed back in the soil, is not lost but instead reused to strengthen the soil for the next generation of plants. Mac said it is really important to have animals on the farm to provide this nutrients for you. Even animals as small as worms are great for the soil, which is great because we sure do have a ton of those! Mac said the best animals to have are cows, but since we are on a college campus and our garden is so small, we would never be able to have a cow to fertilize our garden. Wanda asked what animals he thinks we could have instead. Mac mentioned that chickens would be great, as well as bunnies - I vote for bunnies haha.
Next, also before lunch, we were able to see Paris and Captain again, the two workhorses at the farm. We also were able to meet the cows again who were happy just basking in the sun. I can'tb lame them! Their milking operation there is really remarkable and you can really tell they take pride in the operation and care for the cows there. The cows are sociable and like to be around people. I could tell by the two young heifers who allowed us to pet them and scratch behind their ears. They loved all the attention.
Overall it was another great and educational visit at the center. I am so appreciative for their support and hospitality towards us!