While a bulk of the focus in 2007 has been to establish an Energy Farm
Demonstration Site at Brookside Elementary School, in Willits, CA; we realize
that intense vegetable production is a piece of the larger picture in the
attempt to reduce the high
energy inputs to the food and agricultural system. In addition to building
and testing post-petrol tools and methodologies for intense vegetable
production we are duly interested in conducting research and developing
templates for grain, oilseed, and livestock production. As always, farm
products will be produced locally for local consumers with the aim of
promoting both local food and energy security.

This been said, I would like to share a project proposal
titled: Steps toward Local Food Security—Little Lake Valley Grain Production.
We have been shopping this proposal around the community of Willits and many
people seem interested in fostering the development of a local food system and
very excited about the tools and methods we seek to employ.

Steps toward Local Food Security—Little Lake Valley
Grain Production

WELL, and other local
organizations, have undertaken several studies
and workshops on local food security in the 95490 zip code, with a population
of approximately 13,500. Based on historic production data, a key initial
conclusion of one study suggests that if a localized agricultural system
would grow a diverse supply of food for this population, then
approximately all of the 4000 acres of prime agricultural land in Willits would
be needed for crops. Research noted
both a demand and supply gap related to local grains. Also lacking is the
processing and storage equipment needed to carry out successful grain
operations.

In response to this
research, we are seeking 3-6 acres in the Little Lake Valley to perform a
dryland (i.e., non-irrigated) grain demonstration. This project seeks to
“Ground-Truth” a number of assumptions related to yields, time investment,
labor, required tools and infrastructure, and consumer relationships as they
pertain to localized grain production. A dryland grain demonstration is
important to local food security because grains have high caloric value, ease
of storage, and can be grown in a manner that does not rely on energy dependent
irrigation infrastructure.

We will test an electric
tractor, whose recent repair is being provided by the Post Carbon Institute, to
sow grains. This tool is not only quiet and light on the environment (little
greenhouse gas emission), but it easy to drive, powered by renewable energy,
and is assembled in Mendocino County. A
special feature of the electric tractor is that it is capable of powering many
small electric devices in the field such as portable threshers and winnowers.

Key project goals include:

- Test Steve Heckeroth’s ET-7 electric tractor at a
significant scale

- Deeply investigate the methodology of dryland
cultivation

- Re-invigorate and strengthen agricultural
relationships in the community

- Inspire community members to support a local food
system

- Enroll youth and experience into the formation of a
local food system in Willits

- Save seeds for the most successful varieties of oats,
wheat, barley, and triticale

- Test the effect of companion planting and the use of
mycorrhizal fungi in small grain production

- Demonstrate the opportunities to create localized
agriculture within the United States
and create templates for replication

- Watch for vulnerabilities in agriculture in relation
to future energy scarcity and global climate change

To fulfill the aims of this project we are looking to secure the following resources:

- Land --We
are seeking 3-6 acres suitable for agricultural development (Class I or II). No
irrigation infrastructure is necessary for land to be approved for the project.

- Equipment --
Much of the equipment we need already exists in Willits and may not be fully
utilized. If you want to lend, donate, or trade for the use of a disc, harrow,
and/or a seeder we would be very interested in cooperation.