Plentiful Lands
By Naomi Bosch
Plentiful LandsMar 16, 2020
Can Organic Farming Feed the World?
By 2050, there will be almost 10 billion people living on the planet. Critics of organic farming say that we cannot feed the world with organic farming methods. Let's challenge this assumption.
Read more on https://plentiful-lands.com/can-organic-farming-feed-the-world/
Organic is too expensive for me! 12 creative ways to save money AND eat sustainably
In this final part of my series on conventional vs. organic farming, we are concluding with a vital topic: the affordability of organic food. Maybe you want to buy more organic, but you fear that it would be too expensive for you. I get you – because I’m still a student and have a tight budget myself! Here, you’ll learn how to save money while food shopping and how to make healthy, sustainably produced food affordable to yourself in creative ways. Also, you’ll discover how I’m able to buy organic food, while spending half the amount of money on groceries than the average German does.
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
http://www.plentiful-lands.com/
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
Comparing Conventional & Organic Farming: How can we Transition towards Sustainability?
In this part of the series, we're asking ourselves some crucial questions: if organic really is better for the environment and for our health, then why don't more people farm and eat organic? Why is organic so expensive? Or conventional so cheap? And finally: how can we transition towards more sustainability as a society, as well as individuals? The exciting transition towards more sustainability has already begun - will you be part of it?
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
http://www.plentiful-lands.com/
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
The study cited is
Sanders J, Hess J (eds) (2019) Leistungen des ökologischen Landbaus für Umwelt und Gesellschaft . Braunschweig: Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, 364 p, Thünen Rep 65, DOI:10.3220/REP1547040572000
Comparing Conventional & Organic Farming: Animal Welfare
Part 7 of this series on Conventional vs. Organic farming is all about livestock farming. Are animals happier on conventional or organic farms? How healthy are these animals? What's an animal-friendly way of rearing animals? And how can you discern between ethical and unethical animal products at the end of the food chain? Find answers on these questions in this podcast episode, where I'm sharing facts from a recient scientific review, as well as from my own experience on many conventional and organic farms.
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
http://www.plentiful-lands.com/
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
The study cited is
Sanders J, Hess J (eds) (2019) Leistungen des ökologischen Landbaus für Umwelt und Gesellschaft . Braunschweig: Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, 364 p, Thünen Rep 65, DOI:10.3220/REP1547040572000
Comparing Conventional & Organic Farming: Resource Efficiency
In part 6 of this series, we're exploring how efficient conventional and organic farming are. We'll look at their efficiency in using resources such as fertilizers, energy etc. and whether these resources are renewable or unrenewable. Farming will face some extraordinary challenges once some of our finite resources are depleted. But solutions are available! Does organic farming offer us these solutions? Find out in this podcast episode of Plentiful Lands!
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
http://www.plentiful-lands.com/
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
The study cited is
Sanders J, Hess J (eds) (2019) Leistungen des ökologischen Landbaus für Umwelt und Gesellschaft . Braunschweig: Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, 364 p, Thünen Rep 65, DOI:10.3220/REP1547040572000
Comparing Conventional & Organic Farming: Climate Adaption
In this episode, we're going to take a closer look at how farming is prepared for climate change. Since its effects are already a reality on our planet, farming will have to be well adapted to more frequent droughts, floods and other extreme weather events. But is organic or conventional farming better adapted to climate change? Hear from my recent experience on a farm, as well as from data from the science behind it....
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
http://www.plentiful-lands.com/
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
The study cited is
Sanders J, Hess J (eds) (2019) Leistungen des ökologischen Landbaus für Umwelt und Gesellschaft . Braunschweig: Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, 364 p, Thünen Rep 65, DOI:10.3220/REP1547040572000
A Love Story: Why I Care about the Environment
In this episode, I'd like to share my personal story with you. The story of how I fell in love with nature first, and then moved on to love Earth and people in a broader sense. And ultimately, why caring about the environment is, in its essence, an expression of love for God.
Why do I want to share my reasons for caring about the environment with you? Because our motivation shapes our thoughts and actions. And I believe that it is ONLY when we are transformed by love that we are able to truly care about the world beyond our inner selves. Then, we begin to explore the riches of life, in a personal and a corporate way. And then, there truly is hope for our planet. A hope that we need more than anything else.
Come along as I share some roadmarks of my life with you, as well as explore the intricate connection between the well-being of nature and people, the connection between the ecological, social, econimic and spiritual wellness of all beings.
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
http://www.plentiful-lands.com/
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits!
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
If you haven't already join my instagram or facebook community! Also, if you like this podcast, feel free to share it with others who might be interesting or leave me a rating :) Thank you!
Comparing Conventional & Organic Farming: Climate Protection
Part 4 of this series! Is organic farming worse for climate change than conventional farming? Which farming system is truly sustainable? To answer these tricky questions, let's look at some recent studies...
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
http://www.plentiful-lands.com/
The studies cited are
Sanders J, Hess J (eds) (2019) Leistungen des ökologischen Landbaus für Umwelt und Gesellschaft . Braunschweig: Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, 364 p, Thünen Rep 65, DOI:10.3220/REP1547040572000
Smith, L.G., Kirk, G.J.D., Jones, P.J. et al. The greenhouse gas impacts of converting food production in England and Wales to organic methods. Nat Commun 10, 4641 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-12622-7
Wisdom of Trees Series: Resilient as the Olive Tree
In this series, I'm inviting you to discover the wisdom of trees. A common symbol throughout ancient Middle Eastern literature, trees have many stories to tell. And it's no wonder, given the fact that trees can live up to several thousand years!
Lately, I had several very special encounters with olive trees. In part 2 of this series, let's discover what these wise & graceful trees can teach us.
Legend has it that olive trees are immortal. What makes olives so resilient and strong? And how can we learn from these trees and face our trials with strenght?
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
http://www.plentiful-lands.com/
A wonderful, reverence-inspiring movie centred around an old olive tree is "El Olivo" (The Olive Tree"), a Spanish film from 2016. It's really worth watching!
Redeeming Farming
Connecting farming & faith, machines & slave labour...
In the beginning of the 20th century, the harvest of wheat (per hectare) took 160 hours of manual labour. Today, it takes only 2 hours!
Cyrus McCormick, a smart inventor, made this possible, among others, through his mechanical reaper.
His invention literally revolutionized the world! Underlying was a specific worldview that shaped his actions. His motivation was no less than to restore a little bit of "Eden" on Earth.
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
http://www.plentiful-lands.com/
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits!
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
If you haven't already join my instagram or facebook community! Also, if you like this podcast, feel free to share it with others who might be interesting or leave me a rating :) Thank you!
Comparing Conventional & Organic Farming: Biodiversity
We all rely on biodiversity for a living, wether we're aware of it or not.
Biodiversity is rapidly declinining, so hopes are high that organic farming could offer a solution. But is organic really better for biodiversity than conventional farming? This is what part 3 of the Series Conventional vs. Organic Farming tries to explore.
Backed by a scientific review from 2019, we'll check the facts so that we could make an informed decision on what's truly sustainable!
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music performed by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
The study cited is
Sanders J, Hess J (eds) (2019) Leistungen des ökologischen Landbaus für Umwelt und Gesellschaft . Braunschweig: Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, 364 p, Thünen Rep 65, DOI:10.3220/REP1547040572000
Comparing Conventional & Organic Farming: Soil Fertility
Continuing with my series on organic vs. conventional farming! This time, we're looking at soil fertility: why it matters and which farming system is more beneficial for the soil.
It takes 10 000 years to form 150 centimetres of topsoil! Sadly, we lose more topsoil every year than is being formed again. So, the fertility of our soil will be crucial for a food-secure future.
In this article, I'm looking at the results of a 2019 review of several thousand studies that compared organic & conventional farming system and their impact on soil fertility. The review was conducted by the well-known German Thünen Institut, and I combined these insights & figures with my personal experiences of farming.
Let's find out more about the essential topic of soil fertility together!
If you'd like to read more about soil & farming, have a look at my previous articles:
- What is Efficient Farming?
- Challenges of Modern-Day Farming
- Healing for the Land: Solutions for the Environmental Crisis
- Making and Keeping Soils Fertile
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music performed by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
The study cited is
Sanders J, Hess J (eds) (2019) Leistungen des ökologischen Landbaus für Umwelt und Gesellschaft . Braunschweig: Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, 364 p, Thünen Rep 65, DOI:10.3220/REP1547040572000
Wisdom of Trees Series: Like a Tree Planted by Streams of Water
In this series, I'm inviting you to discover the wisdom of trees for yourself. A common symbol throughout ancient Middle Eastern literature, trees have many stories to tell. And it's no wonder, given the fact that trees can live up to several thousand years!
Part 1 of this series will take you on a walk by the 'tree planted by streams of water' (Ps. 1) and tell you, among others, which little secret makes trees thrive even in the harshest conditions. It will teach you the wisdom of abundant, well-watered trees, and how we can become such gracious, fruitful personalities - just like trees!
There's a profound story to be found in the shadow of every tree... will you join me on this exciting journey towards the wisdom of trees?
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on my blog:
https://plentiful-lands.com/wisdom-of-trees-series-like-a-tree/
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music recorded by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
Comparing Conventional & Organic Farming: Water
Farming is so much more than mere food production. It affects everything around us: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the planet we live on. So it is crucial to know just how farming affects all these things, and wether organic farming really has advantages over conventional farming.
To find out, I looked into a recent study published by the well-known German Thünen Institut, and combined these insights & figures with my personal experiences of farming.
In this episode, we're looking at how farming affects our water and wether organic & conventional show any differences with regard to water quality. Let me take you to the origin of my investigation: a picturesque village in Southern Germany....
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
https://plentiful-lands.com/comparing-convetional-organic-farming-water/
The study cited is
Sanders J, Hess J (eds) (2019) Leistungen des ökologischen Landbaus für Umwelt und Gesellschaft . Braunschweig: Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, 364 p, Thünen Rep 65, DOI:10.3220/REP1547040572000
Beyond food production: comparing conventional & organic farming
Farming is so much more than mere food production. It affects everything around us: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the planet we live on. So it is crucial to know just how farming affects all these things, and wether organic farming really has advantages over conventional farming.
To find out, I looked into a recent study published by the well-known German Thünen Institut, and combined these insights & figures with my personal experiences of farming.
In this series, let's see how conventional & organic farming perform regarding water protection, soil fertility, biodiversity, climate protection, climate adaption, resource efficiency and animal welfare.
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
https://plentiful-lands.com/beyond-food-production-comparing-convetional-organic-farming/
The study cited is
Sanders J, Hess J (eds) (2019) Leistungen des ökologischen Landbaus für Umwelt und Gesellschaft . Braunschweig: Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, 364 p, Thünen Rep 65, DOI:10.3220/REP1547040572000
Urban Gardening - The Food Revolution
Where does your food come from? If you live in a city, like me, you probably rely on farmers near and far to produce your food. But have you ever thought about what would happen if the food chain suddenly broke down? If, say, a natural disaster hit or transportation of food was unavailable for some time? Even with the current Corona-virus outbreak, some people are facing anxieties of food shortages. Are we, as urban inhabitants, able to supply ourselves, even if everything turns against us? It can be scary to think about it. But it doesn't have to be like that! Even if we don't have gardens of our own, there is an array of ways to grow food right in our cities! This concept is called urban gardening or urban farming. And it's got a surprisingly rich & interesting history... Could urban gardening be the next food revolution?
Let's dive into this exciting concept and discover some brilliant examples of urban gardening in past and present!
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting at only 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
https://plentiful-lands.com/urban-gardening-the-food-revolution/
10 Eco-Friendly Gardening Principles
Gardening in tune with nature is a rewarding job. It not only saves resources and money, but it gives you the joy of seeing nature thrive. Enjoy healthy and abundant harvests by applying these 10 fundamental principles of organic, eco-friendly gardening.
Join me in this episode as I walk you step by step through the most important things for planning, establishing and caring for your eco-friendly. If you are a beginner, you can use these principles to guide you on every decision you will make. But even as an advanced gardener, I'm sure you'll find something new and useful for yourself!
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting only at 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
Full text, as well as other useful links, videos and photos available on
https://plentiful-lands.com/10-eco-friendly-gardening-principles/
Bananas As We Know Them Are Doomed
Bananas are in imminent danger of extinction. Will we find solutions on time to save them? Hopefully, but only if we solve the underlying problems to this. Because what we are facing today is a faulty agricultural system in itself.
Worldwide, we rely on very few crops to ensure food security. And of these crops, we cultivate only few different varieties. This can have disastrous effects, as you will find out in the story of the banana. The environmental, social and economic consequences of our narrowing diversity are becoming increasingly visible. It is time to act in order to find sustainable solutions!
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting only at 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
You can find the full text here:
https://plentiful-lands.com/bananas-as-we-know-them-are-doomed/
Healing for the Land
Here, I'm looking for solutions for the environmental, agricultural and moral crisis from the perspective of historical & ancient wisdom literature.
In part 1, I'm exploring the environmental, social and economic challenges of modern-day farming. Then, in part 2, I'm taking you to the core of the problem of the crises we are experiencing in our world today. Specifically, I'm drawing on historical Roman and Jewish examples, as well as the wisdom of the Torah. Finally, I conclude with a vision of what a truly sustainable, abundant world could look like. In other words, heaven on earth, in the truest of senses!
Come and join me on this exciting journey, and see what I've discovered so far!
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting only at 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
Full text available on:
https://plentiful-lands.com/challenges-of-modern-day-farming/
Reconsidering Animal vs. Plant-based Diets
If you are wondering what to think of veganism and vegeterianism, or if you are trying to reduce your carbon footprint, but don't know where to start - this is the read for you! Let's see what a truly sustainable diet can look like!
The yearly meat consumption in the EU is on average 70 kg, in the USA 100 kg and in Ethiopia 3 kg of meat per person. If all people on Earth would want to eat the same amount of meat as Americans do, we would need twice as much grain to feed all the animals. However, we need to look at the bigger picture for finding an answer to the question what a sustainable diet really is. "Land doesn't equal land, and one animal doesn't equal the other." I will explore this matter from multiple angles, including the issue of global warming, agronomic properties of the land, justice, health, history and sustainability.
Join me in this exciting episode as we are looking at practical ways in which we can change the world - on our plate!
Support for my blog and podcast is raised through membership. If you like this show, please consider becoming a member, starting only at 2€ per month, and get some extra benefits! https://mailchi.mp/0b12585d7280/plentiful-lands-membership
Music created by David, Frank and Naomi Bosch
Full text available here:
https://plentiful-lands.com/reconsidering-animal-vs-plant-based-diets-part-1/