From LEAF Farmer Duncan Farrington
October Newsletter
I have always had an interest in soils
and how we look after them, as the quality of the soil dictates the quality of the food we eat, either directly through the plants we eat or indirectly through meat and other animal products, which in turn, have gained their nutrition from the soil.
On the farm we use a combination of approaches to improve our soil health. Soil testing; crop rotations; green manure crops; micro nutrients; plant fertilisers; minimal tillage; organic manures. The list of techniques backed up by our combined skills gained form years of experience, and the soil scientists we work closely with, have all contributed to increasing the soil health over the last fifteen or so years. Recently I have been looking again at this relationship between soil, plant, animal and human nutrition, and how it affects our general wellbeing.
Until a generation ago, food issues in this country were related to large parts of the population not receiving sufficient food, and people were hungry. Nowadays this is not an issue with advances in food production and availability, giving plentiful food and great choice. The problems of some modern diets is more to do with lack of variety rather than lack of calories, which is linked to the cause of many modern health concerns. Many of these modern illnesses are treated with medical ‘cures’ which tend to look only at the symptoms, rather than the causes. Whereas a good balanced diet would solve many of these, at far less cost to all of us.
Remember liver at school; that love/hate food (I was in the love camp)? Well it is no longer on the school dinner list, and this vitamin D rich food along with other greats like oily fish, has lead to cases of rickets rising. Obesity has more to do with the body craving for vitamins and minerals lacking from diets high in sugar and salt; where the body’s evolution leads it to think that sugar and salt are linked to high mineral and vitamin loaded foods such as fruit and sea salt. So when these essential nutrients are missing in a narrow bland diet, the body calls for more food in an attempt to scavenge the nutrients it is lacking. Even greying hair is apparently a symptom of copper deficiency, which I am informed, can be redressed by reversing that particular deficiency.
If you are interested in this whole topic, a Nobel Prize nominated nutritionist (for the link between selenium deficiency in pregnant women and cystic fibrosis) called Dr Joel Wallach, who is no doubt a bit of an outspoken American anti-hero, is infamous for recording the fifth biggest selling cassette of all time, behind the Beetles at number one, and ahead of Michael Jackson at number six. The tape, a talk called ‘Dead Doctors Don’t Lie’ has sold in excess of 47 million copies. I have not heard it, and whilst I don’t want to be accused of promoting some crackpot views, he highlights some very interesting concepts.
All of this sounds a bit heavy, but it does relate back to the crops we are planting again this autumn, and the soils we grow them in. Looking after our soil is the most important thing for any farmer. We will continue to carefully look at what the plant requires in its diet to grow, adding important nutrients where needed throughout the season. We will ensure all the worms and other creatures remain healthy. Just like the saying “you are what you eat” this also relates to the crops.
Now, I have noticed a few grey hairs appearing, so a quick search of the internet to find what foods are good sources of copper may be in need. However, don’t worry too much about eating the right things, and avoiding the bad ones. Simply enjoy a bit of everything, and drink plenty of water. Happy foraging.
