Reduce, reuse, recycle – the three R’s – is the motto for Larry and Linda Warner’s farming operation in Bucyrus, Mo.
In 2003, Larry and Linda came back to the farm when Larry’s mother passed away. Larry and his two brothers inherited the family farm, and Larry and Linda moved on the farm, later buying out his brothers, keeping the home place. The Warners had been working, “hurrying” through life year after year, raising four children, and wanted to get back to a slower way of living, a cleaner environment, and most of all, a natural food supply. It wasn't cattle, but large-scale gardening that piqued their interest.
The Warners incorporate many natural techniques into their gardening system. Rain water is collected in a 1,200 gallon tank from an outbuilding for watering the gardens; and if that source runs out they use pond water. “If you are considering building a new barn consider how much water you could collect and save by adding guttering, and channeling the water wherever you wanted to save it for future use,” Larry said.
Larry and Linda start their plants in the basement using mostly heirloom seeds so they can save the seeds from plants they prefer. Linda said, “I save the tubes from the center of paper towels and recycle them into seed starting containers. They are just the right size for one seed and later I transfer them to the raised beds, without disturbing the small plant. They mulch right into the soil.”
The Warners utilize 4-foot by 8-foot raised beds are each constructed with three one by eight boards – preferably oak. They have a two by two brace in each corner. “Some plants require more support,” Larry said. “For this we buy 16 ft. hog panels and cut them in half which makes supports for two beds with steel posts. There is no waste with boards or panels.”
Working with local cattlemen, the Warners use composted cow manure at least one year old, mixed with top soil and sand to fill their beds. “Once the beds are filled,” Linda said, “we do not have to till them again. The texture is so perfect you can work it with a fork.” Plants are mulched with old hay that can’t be used for anything else – weed seeds have sprouted and died.
Linda has a system to keep track of each bed by drawing a diagram showing location and numbering each bed. She has records showing what was planted in every bed since construction. By checking her log she can tell what plants will thrive in which environment.
The Warners are using every resource at their disposal to produce what they eat in a clean, natural and efficient way.
