042, David O’Carroll: Korean Natural Farming for the Ultimate Sustainable Solution

David O’Carroll has been educating growers in the United Kingdom in Korean Natural Farming methods for the last 6 years at Ballagh Micro Farm, based in Devon, where beneficial microbes are being used to create healthy soil through powerful natural fertilizers. Having used Korean Natural Farming for a number of years on a smaller scale, such as establishing an agroforestry project and learning centre, he combined Korean Natural Farming and other methods of natural farming to accelerate the change in soil biology to showcase how healthy soil can be created. Working closely with many United Kingdom Hemp farms both locally and nationwide he has developed both organic pest management solutions, and adoption of Korean Natural Farming practices, in addition to further product developments within the hemp industry.

In these episodes…

• Korean Natural Farming is a path for those who are put off by the high cost of outside agricultural inputs; KNF offers a local, renewable, sustainable source of fertility that aims to build soil that mimics a forest ecosystem
• KNF has allowed David to diversify his farm products and give him a revenue stream year-round and increase his resilience and small-farm sustainability
• Do as nature does (her methods are inexpensive and easy); understand the good and the bad are one (values are relative)
• The benefit of collecting indigenous microorganisms within the local vicinity (a 50 mile radius is a good reference point); microbes will teach each other how to adapt to different conditions
• I and others are one (understand crops by understanding your own body); you are what you eat, eats
• Applying KNF principles and techniques for waste management at large gatherings and festivals
• Lactic acid bacteria is the emergency response team that can correct both soil and gastrointestinal imbalance
• How the COVID lockdowns are affecting the way people think about food, farming, and gardening
• Indigenous microorganisms for no-smell compost toilets and hog operations
• Looking for the different phases of plant development in order to supplement the needed nutrients: leaf growth, root and flower, seed and fruit
• Utilizing KNF techniques in the developing world using locally available rice, sugar, fruit, plant matter, animal bones, and dairy or bean milk, and some form of alcohol
• Oriental Herbal Nutrient: a tincture of fermented garlic, ginger, cinnamon, licorice, and angelica
• Natural pest management

• David’s website: https://www.ballaghbotanicals.co.uk/ for access to a free online course in how to make Korean Natural Farming preparations

• The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming by Masanobu Fukuoka

• Sepp Holzer's Permaculture: A Practical Guide to Small-Scale, Integrative Farming and Gardening by Sepp Holzer

• Cho’s Global Natural Farming

• An Introduction to Korean Natural Farming

• Chris Trump

• Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web by Jeff Lowenfels

• What a Plant Knows: A Field Guide to the Senses by Daniel Chamovitz

• Creating a Forest Garden: Working with Nature to Grow Edible Crops by Martin Crawford

• Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible by Jorge Cervantes