REGEN AG PODCAST EP 77: RICK CLARK
My notes say that there wasn’t a lot of practical info in this episode. Which is funny, because a quick search of Rick and a lot of the details of how to do what he does pop up. For example, this, or this. And he does it on some serious acreage. 7000, at least.
What they do talk about a lot is the why (human health, the next generation), and a little of the how to get there (together!). Early success is something Rick champions, both in this podcast and in the other media involving him. His thinking is that it only takes one failure to put someone off for good, or at least for a good long time – once bitten, twice shy. His first big early success was a simple radish cover crop that didn’t cause problems, and increased cash crop yields. Hooked.
And, the usual list of interesting points:
- The biology determines the chemistry. pH is rising, but they’re not applying lime.
- Diversity is importing, both within the cash crop, the cover crops, between grasses and broadleaf, and between annuals and perennials. He does note that perennials are dangerous in a no-till organic operation. Yes, no-till organic!
- Inter-cropping/ relay cropping is important for weed suppression, as these shade out weeds.