NATURAL FARMING METHODS
Baupal Park Farm practices Korean Natural Farming (KNF), methods that were developed in Korea over 500 years ago. The method is essentially the use of indigenous micro organisms and bacteria to enhance soil fertility and cation exchange capacity. It’s a soil regenerative process employed to stop erosion, leaching of chemicals and the need for the use of industrial chemicals; it is an organic process of farming. Baupal Park will take between 3-5 years to become totally organic, and the certification for that process has already begun.
WHAT IS KOREAN NATURAL FARMING?
On the farm we believe in protecting the environment above all else. That means we recycle, reuse and reduce our carbon footprint as best we can. To achieve this, we practice organics in a highly unique way. We farm microbes and bacteria for soil health. This is called ”Natural Farming” and it originated in Korea over 500 years ago. Essentially, we harvest mycellium found in leaf mould and then build upon these cultures to create a mega culture that we re-inject back into our orchards. We also ferment bacterial washes for soil health to feed the microbes living in soil. The combination of these two elements increases a soil’s Cation Exchange Capacity, which in turn builds moisture retention and soil nutrient availability.
To gain an understanding for our natural farming methods, this is a wonderful video on soil health, that you may find informative.
WORKSHOPS
We grow all of our produce organically using Korean Natural Farming Methods. Every year we host two KNF workshops at an introductory level in April and October. Tickets through Eventbrite.
CONSULTANCY
We offer our consultancy services, to help you understand our farming methods and help you on your journey with natural farming practices. For more information, contact us
PRODUCTS
Our produce is all grown naturally on the farm using our natural farming methods. We make a range of baked goods in our commercial kitchen which are available for purchase online, and at our selected stockists and market stalls. To purchase online, visit store
UPCOMING MEETINGS & WORKSHOPS
WHAT DO WE DO WITH OUR EGGSHELLS?
For over a year now we have been recycling used organic eggshells from our Commercial Kitchen. Three times a week they get collected and processed on the farm.
The eggshells are washed, dried and crushed, then top dressed out into the orchard, by hand per tree. This is a continuous process to ensure the trees get the much-needed Calcium they require. Normally orchards use industrial chemicals to provide nutrients; Calcium being one of them. These recycled eggshells are 90% pure calcium, compared to industrial micronized calcium thats only 15% at best.
Baupal Park Farm is using organic eggshells to achieve this requirement naturally. It’s a win-win for everyone;
– For the Commercial Kitchen – we reduce our landfill waste footprint
– For Baupal Park – we reduce use of industrial chemicals, saving on green house emissions
– For the Environment – no excess chemical residue runoff into waterways and eventually our Reef
OUR PROCESS
STAGE 1
Indigenous Microorganisms 1 (IMO1) is the foundation material we cultivate here at Baupal Park Farm. This is the mycelium culture used for all our products to do with KNF. This sample is a particularly good one, with even coverage and good height to the hyphae stalks. It takes 3-5 days to grow and we then turn it into the next stage IMO 2, 3, 4 and 5.
The bi annual workshops on the farm can teach you how to make this culture as well as many others products.
STAGE 2
Here is the IMO 2; the successful IMO 1 culture is mixed with brown sugar, in order to suspend the growth of the hyphae by a process of osmotic pressure.
STAGE 3
This is definitely the best product we make on farm. From here the magic really starts, with mycelium growing into a medium of carbon and carbohydrates, dividing exponentially within water availability. This process takes about 7-9 days, depending on weather, but once done is stored for other applications, including brewing for hormone extractions, compost tea, Fish Sauce and further IMO 4 and 5 production.
FISH SAUCE
FAA (Fish Hydrolysate) is not the smelly mess you would think. The action of good microbes actually ferments this product into a highly nutritious nitrogen liquid, using the protein cells from fish carcases.
Kate writes about Baupal Park Farm in more detail on her blog. Visit the blog to read more about what is happening on the farm.
NO ROUND UP ON OUR FARM
VIDEOS YOU MAY FIND INTERESTING
At Baupal Park Farm, natural farming methods are at the forefront of everything we do. We do not use ROUND UP. Here are some videos on the use of pesticides and chemicals, and the impact it can have on our soil health.
WORKSHOPS
Each year we offer two half-day workshops on the farm to give a broad introduction into how we do this Natural Farming practice. These workshops are offered in April and October. The next one is on 3rdOctober 2019, with tickets from $65 per person. A “Natural Farming Starter Kit” is also available with additional price of $75 each.
The benefits your gardens and crops will gain from this unique workshop will be fantastic. And best of all it’s a very cheap form of farming to utilise. But the best part about this practice of farming is anyone can learn.
Tickets will be made available on Eventbrite, click link below…
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