beyond agroforestry

BEYOND AGROFORESTRY

Using a diversity of resources and a low tech approach to

develop sustainable enterprises on rugged land, previously considered useless,

in a state ranked 50th in commerce

Fred Hays, Divergent Natural Interests, West Virginia

Fred Hays 304-548-7117

sustainableresources@hotmail.com

• M.A. From Marshall University • Certified Holistic Management Educator• District Conservation Supervisor• SARE projects in Aquaculture & Agro-forestry• WV Ginseng Growers Association, Founder• Center for Sustainable Resources, Inc.• Divergent Natural Interests, Owner

About the Speaker

Divergent Natural InterestsElkview, WV304-548-7117

• D.N.I. is a family farm• 150 acres of rugged,

mountainous, terrain - mostly wooded

Resource Base• Great biodiversity• Over 100 species of trees • As many as 2800 different species of plants • Non-brittle environment

with consistent moisture

and water• Rural customers • Skills & education

Managed Resources• Livestock are used as a

tool through grazing, animal impact, and herd effect.

• Vegetation is controlled without machinery.

• Poor areas are treated with animal impact to improve soil biodiversity.

• Garden areas are hoof- plowed in late winter simply by concentrating animals and feeding hay.

Living Organisms as Tools

• All of our enterprises are based on using the labor of living organisms.

• For example, mushroom production utilizes fungal organisms.

Solar Dollars

• Stored organic solar resources are different than paper dollars in that organic currency sustains life.

• Again, the labor in this picture was done by living organisms.

AQUATIC ENTERPRISES

Fish as Tools• Fish, like other livestock,

can be used as a tool for altering the environment

• “Grass Carp” or White Amurs are not only more effective than chemicals but also less expensive.

• Grass Carp nearly always succeed where chemicals almost always fail in producing the desired result.

Fish Production & Sales

• Largemouth Bass• Bluegill• Hybrid Bluegill• Channel Catfish• Goldfish• Koi Carp• Grass Carp

Grown in pond culture in ten ponds on the farm.

Game Fish

Ornamental Fish

Pond Stocking & Consultation

Aquatic Plants

Grass Carp & Pond Management

A large part of the aquatic business has become consultation for managing aquatic vegetation through natural methods.

AGROFORESTRY ENTERPRISES

Forest Organisms as Tools

• High quality hardwood production can be increased as much as ten fold if organisms and the solar regime are manipulated correctly.

High Quality Trees

Potential crop trees are chosen and released for accelerated growth.

Culls are removed and grape vines are kept from reaching canopies.

Wood Products

Culled trees are used for lumber or firewood.

Shiitake Mushrooms

• Shiitake mushrooms were grown on the farm utilizing our abundance of oak logs.

• The mushroom logs still produce but crops are no longer marketed as they failed testing guidelines.

Under-Canopy Crops

Woodland Herbs

on this farm are in great diversity because crops are naturally produced yet manipulated for favor.

Other Woodland Crops

• Dozens of medicinal plants are readily marketed from

our forest.

• Black Cohosh is growing in value.

Ginseng, the most valuable crop on the farm,is carefully monitored and managed.

Ginseng

WILD PRODUCTS

• Wild Berries,• Mushrooms, • Wild Game, &• Nuts, etc. are all

part of our “whole.”

Wildlife as a Tool

Smooth Chanterelles

Oyster Mushrooms

Chicken of the Woods

Wild Roots

Wild Game

OTHER ENTERPRISES

Cattle as Tools

Livestock were meant to eat vegetation-not just grass. We take advantage of animal impact to improve the land.

Another Tool

Natural BeefHealthy Land & Healthy Livestock

Custom Knives

Trade Shows

Other Living Organisms at Work

And One Not at Work

OUTREACH

• Center for Sustainable Resources, Inc. - nonprofit that hosts field days & training events.

• West Virginia Ginseng Growers Association -developed legislation to protect this emerging industry.

Fox News

Traveling West Virginia

Cash & Treasures

The Travel Channel

Seed available at discounted prices

Ginseng Seed Bulk Purchase Program

WVGGA

Resource Management Consultation

For more info:

Fred Hays

(304) 548-7117sustainableresources@hotmail.com

Fish & Pond Stocking Agro-forestry ProductsWVGGA Ginseng Seed Natural BeefCustom Knives Resources Management Consultation

“Diversity is key.”