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3 Grow Biointensive - Dr. Bronner's
3 Grow Biointensive - Dr. Bronner's
3 Grow Biointensive - Dr. Bronner's
Sustainable Mini-Farming
GROW BIOINTENSIVE’s Roots
In 1966 Alan Chadwick, English gardening master tutored by Rudolf Steiner, brought his synthesis of
the biodynamic/French intensive method to the US and converted a barren slope at the University
of California-Santa Cruz into a flourishing garden. Chadwick’s garden is still an active part of the
UCSC, and the school is a leader in the regenerative agriculture conversation through their Center
for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems.
Inspired by the Chadwick’s bio-intensive gardening methods, California-based non-profit, Ecology Action’s (EA) Board
approved a research and education project in 1972. The project’s purposes was to teach regular bio-intensive classes,
collect data, make land available for gardening and publish information on the method’s techniques. John Jeavons
became the project’s director.
With growing concern about worldwide starvation and malnutrition, EA hypothesized if the smallest amount of land
and resources needed for one person to supply all of his or her needs in a sustainable way could be determined, we
might have a personal solution to the world’s challenges. GROW BIOINTENSIVE® (GB) was born, and EA has been
working on this goal ever since.
Ecology Action’s Team
John Jeavons
Executive Director
Author How to Grow More Vegetables
Domestic and International Technical Advisor
• New World Interactive, Multi-Lingual Website with Educational Animation, Classroom and Library at:
www.biointensive.net
• International mail order service at: www.bountifulgardens.org
EA will introduce the very effective GB system to farmers around the globe. This
opportunity holds the potential of accelerating global organic agriculture so that it can
attain:
• higher yields,
• a 50% to 100% reduction in purchased organic nutrients,
• as little as 12% to 33% less water usage in an increasingly desertified world, and
• fully sustainable soil fertility creation and maintenance.
IFOAM Budget
Ecology Action is working to raise the funds to send 17 GB experts from IFOAM EXPENSES COSTS
around the world to IFOAM World Congress in New Dehli next November.
Airfare $22,300
Registration $5,170
Lodging (4nights) $1,080
Meals $0
Medical $3,550
Travel Insurance $4,530
Workshop Fees $2,000
Trade Show Booth $1,200
10% Contingency $4,303
Biointensive Presenters at 2016 National Conference and Global Forum on Science, Policy
and the Environment – Food-Energy-Water Nexus – Washington, DC January, 2016 TOTAL BUDGET $47,333
Special Project Proposal:
Farm Sanctuary GROW BIOINTENSIVE Mini-Farms
Year 3 Goals
• FS GB Mini-Farm launches at 2nd FS site
• Graduated 3-year GB apprentice plans to spinoff to 3rd FS site
• Plan for GB Workshops and / or Interns at 1st FS site
Year 4 Goals
• FS GB Mini-Farm launches at 3rd FS site
• GB Workshops and / or Interns launch at 1st FS site
• 2nd FS site launches sustainable wood lot and farmer cob-housing
• 2nd FS site plans for GB workshops and internships
• 1st FS site plans for marketing 5-bed unit produce for $60k annual profit
Year 5 Goals
• Sustainable wood lots and farmer cob-housing at all 3 FS sites
• 2nd FS site launches GB workshops and internships
• 3rd FS site plans for GB workshops and internships
• 1st FS site achieves $60k annual profit
Annual Production and Regeneration Goals:
Food Production: 2,365 lbs from 6,120 sq ft planted surface plus paths @
3x sites: Complete diet for ~4 people
Compost Produced: 3,060 lbs from 6,120 sq ft planted surface plus paths
x 3 sites: Intermediate-Yield GB amount
Water Saved: 70% PER POUND OF FOOD PRODUCED
Purchased Fertilizer Saved: 50%+ PER POUND OF FOOD PRODUCED
Carbon Sequestered from the Atmosphere: Up to 2 Mg (megagrams or
metric tons) of carbon can be accumulated in the soil per acre per year
Partner Responsibilities
• Dr. Bronner’s would be the initial primary funder of the Project, and
promote the Mini-Farms and their activities through all communications
channels
• Ecology Action would take the lead planning the Project; recruit, screen
and train farmers; promote the Mini-Farms and their activities; and
provide technical assistance throughout life of the Project
• Farm Sanctuary would dedicate space for the Mini-Farms; coordinate the
relationship between the FS staff, animals and environment, and the GB
farmers; and promote the Mini-Farms and their activities
FS Mini-Farm Budget – Year 1
Farmer Training Farmer Salaries
• 1x 3year apprentice tuition $12k • Hourly rate $90k
• 2x 2month interns tuition $2k averaged @ $15/hr
• 2x 3day workshops $4k • Benefits @ 25% $22.5k
• 3x study libraries $1.5k Insurance Rider $1k
• 2x monthly inter-farm travel $8.5k Administrative Rate $11k
Tools, Infrastructure, Seeds & Supplies $15k TOTAL YEAR 1 BUDGET $167.5k
Questions & Follow Up:
John Jeavons
johnjeavons@icloud.com
(707) 953-7640