Column: Green Challenges

You’re on the farmhouse porch at Elderberry Pond in upstate New York, past sunset on a July evening. The frogs sing and the fireflies dance. The leaves of the apple trees rustle. You feel the Earth’s turning, your ears and imagination attuned to the intensity of life all around.

Merby and Lou Lego, my wife’s aunt and uncle, began farming at Elderberry Pond more than 20 years ago. Starting with land that had been in conventional corn and soybean rotation, they spent 15 years rebuilding soil fertility to support their 100-acre organic apple orchard, farm and restaurant.

While few of us have an organic farm and gourmet restaurant, all of us who are striving to “go green” face the same five challenges Merby and Lou have tackled:

1. Commitment. An organic farm commits to growing healthy crops from healthy soil, without synthetic chemicals and federal corn and soybean subsidies. You might commit to powering your home from clean electricity, without coal mining or governmentally-subsidized nuclear power. The first step in going green is making a commitment.

2. Priorities. A farmer must know the carrying capacity of his or her land, and which crops to plant to improve the soil. You need to know your budget, and which projects need to happen first. Will you buy a hybrid car, or move downtown so you can walk to work and shop? The second step in going green is setting your priorities.

3. Learning. When Merby and Lou started farming, they had no formal training. Undaunted, they threw themselves into an experiment on 100 acres. What are the possibilities for your life? Read, talk with experts, immerse yourself in the excitement of discovery as you go green.

4. Adaptation. Elderberry Farm sits on a limestone ridge; Merby and Lou have never been able to grow blueberries, but their potatoes are amazing. Your home might be surrounded by trees, unsuitable for solar power. But your landscaping could provide energy-efficient shelter from winter storms and shade from summer sun. Go green in a way that makes sense for you and your particular circumstances.

5. Sharing. In January and February, the restaurant at Elderberry Farm closes so Merby and Lou can give talks at farm conferences around the country. At conventional farm conferences, Lou tells me, the norm is secrecy and competition, whereas at organic farm conferences, you’re supposed to be honest and nice. As you go green, remember to share what you discover, so others can follow your path.

I hope you find the courage and resources to surmount these challenges in going green. And if you visit upstate New York, I encourage you to enjoy the restaurant at Elderberry Pond and all it represents!

For related resources and links, please visit www.FWHorch.com/gogreen.

Fred Horch is the founder of F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods & Supplies in Brunswick, providing practical products and trustworthy advice for sustainable living. Online at www.FWHorch.com.