by Chas Bonner
Adaptability vs. Intransigence
In our Blog #15, we discussed attendance at the Northwest Agribusiness Seminar in Stevenson, Washington in late March. It was a very rewarding experience, both from a presenter’s standpoint as well as a listener’s standpoint.
As might be expected in a gathering of farmers and ranchers, there was much antipathy expressed toward government agencies, environmentalists, and anyone with any control over the agricultural community. That is understandable. However, of real interest was one of the large farmers in NE Oregon who has obviously determined “if you can’t fight them, join them.” Or he is very adaptable and able to turn lemons into lemonade.
Rather than complain about government agencies restricting his freedoms, or environmentalists driving his costs, he has become creative.
First, because the deep aquifer under his land had dropped about 300’ in the past 60 years, he dammed up a seasonal stream (with approval of required agencies), and through artificial recharge (AR), spread that water on 15 of acres of laser-leveled land with berms around the boundaries. This recharges the shallow aquifer that he then uses as his source water to do aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) in the deep basalt aquifer for summer time storage. The aquifer has recharged over 50’ in the few years since this was done.
Second, he is now taking 70% of the state’s bio-solids from Portland and surrounding communities’ Sewer Districts (doing a huge service for all communities) and using it as fertilizer to spread on rangeland that is dedicated to animal feed such as hay, or on land used to grow canola for biodiesel. Bio-solids usage has increased the fertility, and at a very reasonable cost.
Finally, during the meetings at the seminar, this farmer had positive comments, not complaints or recitation of problems, but rather suggestion of solutions. He was more than just adaptable; he saw opportunity when others saw problems.
From the standpoint of Scythe & Spade, we appreciated the time with him, not simply because he was so adaptable, but also because it gave us opportunity to renew ties with the Nature Conservancy which is now working with him on possible easements.
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