Why organic?
For us, organic farming means using cultivation methods aligned with the organic carbon-based life cycle that is the basis of all life on our planet. Using the sun’s energy, plants convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen (photosynthesis). The plants trade glucose & starch with the microorganisms in the soil in exchange for minerals and other nutrients. This process is vital for building and regenerating fertile soil and for producing healthy, nutritious plants.
Our job as farmers is to cultivate the soil to maintain a high humus content with a rich amount of life. In this way, the plants in symbiosis with the life in the soil, can do what they are best at – providing optimal and complete nutrition in the right place at the right time.
In organic cultivation, chemical fertilisers and pesticides are not used because they acidify the soil and short-circuit the organic carbon-based life cycle. These fertilisers supply easily soluble macro-nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) directly to the plants. However, the importance of the soil & soil processes are ignored, and results in a lack of micro-nutrients and trace elements for the plants, and degeneration of the soil. The pesticides kill unwanted pests, but they also kill the most necessary and productive workers in agriculture; the microbes, the insects that assist in pollination and other beneficial organisms that are vital for healthy plants & soil.
Our crops
Evje’s farm has 20 hectares of agricultural land that produces heritage grains.
We are continually seeking to expand our knowledge base, so that we may maintain the fertility of our food soil. We select our crops carefully to suit organic farming techniques, promote variation, taste great, have high nutrient density and the ability to grow well in our particular conditions.
We supply Sigdal Mølle with heritage grains – spelt, emmer and rye and multiple land-races of different varieties for the Norwegian Community Seed Bank.
Research and Projects
Living Soil 2010 – 2019
In cooperation with the Governor of Buskerud County we initiated and contributed to the research for an ecological pioneer project concerning soil processes and soil structure. The project was called “Living Soil” and was aimed at finding new cultivation methods to enhance biological soil quality and stimulate microbiology in food soil. As part of the ‘Living Soil’ project we made a “how to make a basic compost” movie. This compost can also be used to create compost tea or aerobic compost culture.
Compost
As part of the ‘Living Soil’ project we made a “how to make a basic compost” movie. This compost can also be used to create compost tea or aerobic compost culture.
Contact
Fill out the contact form for further information – we would love to hear from you!