G Regenerative agriculture
The Coffee T+ank Project

Soil conservation is a key point in agriculture, especially organic farming. Thanks to proper soil conservation, you can not only get a good yield in the field today, but also in the future, without having to rely on chemicals. Although the effects of soil conservation may not be clearly visible in the short term, in the long term they are notable, since they reduce erosion, maintain fertility and minimize environmental pollution, thus contributing to ecological sustainability.

What Is Soil Conservation Exactly And What Is It Focused On?

The concept of soil conservation refers to  a set of agricultural techniques and practices that prevent degradation, erosion and depletion of it . Soil conservation techniques are aimed at long-term use, thinking about the future. By taking appropriate and timely measures, farmers increase the yield of their fields for years to come.

One of the main objectives of soil conservation is the maintenance of the biodiversity of eco communities that contribute to fertility in different ways: they add organic matter, decompose perennial organisms to release nutrients and/or improve water infiltration and  aeration . Guaranteeing suitable conditions for the living organisms of the earth is of vital importance for the vegetation that grows on it, since the microorganisms adjust the organic matter to the needs of the plants.

Different types of soil conservation methods prevent runoff, pollution, and sedimentation in water bodies, and protect bare soil from cracking and erosion due to water, wind, and excessive heat.

Soil conservation practices are based on three basic steps:

  • Obtain adequate knowledge of the use of soil resources.
  • Monitor the fields and detect critical areas.
  • Control and estimate the effectiveness of soil conservation techniques applied.

The Importance Of Soil Conservation

Land is the primary condition and environment for crops that feed humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Since most plants cannot exist without soil, it is important to use this resource properly. This approach allows us to have enough food in the future and material for technical needs, such as home textiles or fuel.

The importance of soil conservation is also related to water supply, and soil layers function as natural filters to improve water quality. In turn, water is necessary to dissolve nutrients for plants. The intelligent use of the earth’s resources guarantees their availability for the next generations and, therefore, affordable prices for food in the future. Another aspect is aesthetic, since a landscape with abundant vegetation pleases the eye much more than devastated and abandoned areas.

Soil Conservation Benefits

Humanity in general, and farmers in particular, take advantage of the numerous advantages of soil conservation. This agricultural practice contributes to sustainability in several ways:

  • Increases the quality and productivity of the land.  Maintaining the natural environment for the organisms that inhabit the soil increases fertility and reduces the need to fertilize with chemicals, which increases yields and saves costs at the same time.
  • Reduces erosion.  Soil conservation methods to reduce erosion and depletion help farmers avoid expansion onto new land when land becomes infertile.
  • Promotes water infiltration and increases its storage.  The no-till soil conservation technique versus conventional plowing  affects soil moisture  by reducing cracking and evaporation, as well as increasing the infiltration rate.
  • Helps purify air and water.  The importance of soil conservation is related to the water supply, since the soil works as a natural filter to purify water. Soil conservation mitigates the concentration of polluting agents and sediments. In turn, water is a basic condition to dissolve nutrients for plants. Carbon sequestration in the soil and the reduction of chemical applications also contribute to the purity of the air.
  • It provides food and shelter for wildlife.  Land with growing vegetation is a vital environment for animals; not only as a source of food, but also as a shelter.
 

What Types Of Soil Conservation Techniques Are There?

Different soil conservation systems ensure long-term use of the land and keep it productive for future generations. Soil conservation is a fundamental part of sustainable agriculture.

Conservation Tillage And Direct Seeding

Conservation tillage is   a variation of agriculture that attempts to limit the number of tillages, while increasing protection against erosion by covering the land with vegetation.

In the case of  no-tillage , tillage is reduced completely or to a point of minimal disturbance, placing the seeds among the residues of previous crops or green manure. The main objective of no-tillage, in addition to trying to eliminate tillage so as not to lose the sequestered carbon, is not to leave the soil bare at any time, so that it is not affected by wind and water. Likewise, the use of green manure plants not only helps provide nutrients to the main crops, their roots keep the soil compact.

Crop rotation

Crop rotation proposes   changing agricultural species instead of planting the same one for many seasons. Farmers who apply this method of soil conservation obtain numerous benefits. Crop rotation helps them improve the soil structure with diverse root systems, mitigate the occurrence of pests, and add nitrogen to the soil with legumes, known as nitrogen-fixing plants.

The  choice of crops  to rotate is specific to each agricultural enterprise and largely depends on historical weather and productivity data. Some plants have proven their effectiveness in recent years and others have not.

Abandonment of Synthetic Fertilizers and Pesticides

The application of chemical products to control weeds and pests is harmful to the environment. Knowing the importance of soil conservation in agriculture in general, and organic farming in particular, a change to alternative ways of addressing the problem is necessary. These alternatives are biological and cultural options to restore fertility such as green and animal manure, compost, crop rotation, and other non-chemical control methods.

Conservation Of Soil Organisms

The organisms that live in the soil are a key element in its conservation and the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers can have negative consequences for them, especially if they are used habitually and/or excessively, due to the toxicity they can reach.

The ecosystem is composed of macroscopic species, microorganisms, bacteria and viruses. The macroscopic organisms aerate the soil and create new drainage, as well as fertilize the soil with their excretions. Microorganisms help obtain nutrients for plants, for example, by fixing nitrogen in the soil or increasing the availability of water and other minerals that plants need while they themselves take what they need to survive.

Outline Agriculture

This method of soil conservation is effective on sloping land and promotes the planting of species along the contour. Sloping rows cause erosion by running water, while rows along the contour slow it down. An impact of  cultivation terraces  is similar: it also helps to conserve the soil and reduce its degradation processes.

Strip Crop

In this soil conservation technique, farmers combine high-growing crops with low-growing ones for the sake of windbreak, such as when corn is grown in strips alongside fodder crops. The  strip cropping practice  works even better when tall-growing crops are intensified on the sides where the winds blow more frequently. An additional benefit is the organic matter released by low crops.

windbreak

As its name suggests, this soil conservation practice is used to reduce the force of the wind and its disturbing effect on the soil. These are trees or shrubs planted in several rows to protect crops from snow and wind. Depending on the number of rows, we can distinguish between windbreaks (up to five rows) and protection belts (six and more).

Windbreak vegetation also provides a vital environment for fauna and flora and minimizes soil abrasion on crops due to strong wind blows.

Cover Crops

This soil conservation technique is another way to avoid bare soils and, additionally, obtain benefits for commercial crops for different reasons such as:

  • produce fodder and grazing material for livestock;
  • provide green manure;
  • help  control weeds ;
  • maintain humidity;
  • ensure a natural environment for microorganisms and small animals;
  • balance the concentration of nitrogen (releasing it or accumulating it with certain plants).

Protection Stripes

To carry out this soil conservation procedure, trees and shrubs are placed on the banks of bodies of water to prevent sediment and water entrainment. Their roots fix the soil to prevent landslides and erosion, their crowns protect water dwellers from excess sunlight, and their falling leaves are a source of organic matter and food for small aquatic animals.

Waterways With Grass

It is a groove for water currents covered with grass. It is connected to a ditch, pit or stream to collect water, and the roots of the grass hold the soil in place, protecting it from water erosion, thus contributing to soil conservation.

Integrated pest management

Pests are and have been a major problem for farmers, who must fight by leaving aside the chemicals that poison nature by seeping into the water and atmosphere. For correct soil conservation, it is important to eliminate synthetic herbicides, replacing them with organic ones, or to establish biological enemies of pests whenever possible, rotating crop species to minimize the increase in pest populations in the same field for years.

The main goal of soil conservation is to protect it from any kind of degradation, including fertility depletion and erosion. The main task to reduce erosion is to cover the land with crops or residues to avoid bare areas, since they are highly exposed to disturbances due to wind, water flows and rain splashes.
When it comes to soil management and conservation, farmers have to detect bare areas early so they can keep their land fertile and productive for as long as possible. they have to scout the field and regenerate critical areas. Once the problem is suspected, farmers have to take appropriate measures.

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Pack Espresso

$272.000 $255.000
Región: Según la selección Cantidad: 340 Gr. 4 Unidades

Pack de 4 Box

$272.000 $255.000
Región: Según la selección Cantidad: 340 Gr. 4 Unidades

BOURBON ROSADO

$68.000 $65.000
Many consider Espresso as a bitter, strong and difficult drink, what we respond to these comments in Fraiche et Kaffe is that Espresso must be given the opportunity to captivate us. A well-prepared Espresso, with well-selected and well-roasted grains, has sweet characteristics, body like honey and shades that can go through chocolate, fruity, caramel flavors and much more. * SCAA definition. Espresso is a 1-1.5 oz drink. prepared with 7 – 9 grams of coffee through which treated water of 198 – 202 degrees Fahrenheit (88 – 92 C) has been forced at 9 – 10 atmospheres of pressure, and where the coffee grind is such that the extraction time It is about 20-30 seconds. Muchos consideran el Espresso como una bebida amarga, fuerte y difícil de tomar, lo que respondemos a estos comentarios en Fraiche et Kaffe es que al Espresso hay que darle la oportunidad de cautivarnos. Un Espresso bien preparado, con unos granos bien seleccionados y bien tostados, tiene características dulces, cuerpo como la miel y tonalidades que pueden pasar por los sabores achocolatados, afrutados, acaramelados y mucho más. * Definición SCAA. Espresso es una bebida de 1- 1.5 oz. preparada con 7 – 9 gramos de café a través del cual agua tratada de 198 – 202 grados Farenheit (88 – 92 C) ha sido forzada a 9 – 10 atmosferas de presión, y donde el molido del café es tal que el tiempo de extracción es de 20 – 30 segundos aproximadamente.

ESPRESSO

$68.000 $65.000
Many consider Espresso as a bitter, strong and difficult drink, what we respond to these comments in Fraiche et Kaffe is that Espresso must be given the opportunity to captivate us. A well-prepared Espresso, with well-selected and well-roasted grains, has sweet characteristics, body like honey and shades that can go through chocolate, fruity, caramel flavors and much more. * SCAA definition. Espresso is a 1-1.5 oz drink. prepared with 7 – 9 grams of coffee through which treated water of 198 – 202 degrees Fahrenheit (88 – 92 C) has been forced at 9 – 10 atmospheres of pressure, and where the coffee grind is such that the extraction time It is about 20-30 seconds. Muchos consideran el Espresso como una bebida amarga, fuerte y difícil de tomar, lo que respondemos a estos comentarios en Fraiche et Kaffe es que al Espresso hay que darle la oportunidad de cautivarnos. Un Espresso bien preparado, con unos granos bien seleccionados y bien tostados, tiene características dulces, cuerpo como la miel y tonalidades que pueden pasar por los sabores achocolatados, afrutados, acaramelados y mucho más. * Definición SCAA. Espresso es una bebida de 1- 1.5 oz. preparada con 7 – 9 gramos de café a través del cual agua tratada de 198 – 202 grados Farenheit (88 – 92 C) ha sido forzada a 9 – 10 atmosferas de presión, y donde el molido del café es tal que el tiempo de extracción es de 20 – 30 segundos aproximadamente.

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