SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
“A
sustainable agriculture is one that, over the long term, enhances
environmental quality and the resource base on which agriculture depends;
provides for basic human food and fiber needs; is economically viable; and
enhances the quality of life for the farmers and society as a whole.”
Leunen Farms practices sustainable agriculture. Multiple species of livestock
are raised on the farm including performance horses, meat goats and poultry.
Unlike conventional farming, which uses chemical fertilizers and herbicides, the
Leunen’s farm in a way that is friendly and sustaining to the ecosystem. Manure
is composted and spread back on the land. The livestock is raised naturally,
without unnecessary confinement. The use of antibiotics is limited to curative,
not preventative use. No animal by products are fed to the livestock destined to
slaughter.
ROTATIONAL GRAZING
A
rotational grazing system allows animals to utilize the maximum nutrition from
the pasture by rotating them through a set of smaller paddocks. This system
reduces overgrazing, allows manure to be spread evenly and efficiently, and
reduces farm reliance on chemical input. Here at Leunen Farms the horses and
goats are rotated through several paddocks offering them choice, nutritious, new
growth. These paddocks are seeded with a mixture of grasses and legumes for
balanced nutrition. Rotational grazing at Leunen Farms has allowed us to
increase the number of animals grazed on a small farm without damaging the land
by overgrazing it. By controlling the movement of the animals we prevent erosion
and trampling of vegetation. We are able to utilize every inch of our limited
pasture area.
MULTI-SPECIES MANAGED INTENSIVE GRAZING
At
Leunen Farms we graze the horses first, allowing them choice of paddock
vegetation. Then the meat goats are brought in to graze after the horses. They
consume the older, taller grasses which the horses don’t care to eat. The also
eat unwanted weeds and sprouts that come up in the paddocks. At times the goats
are confined in smaller paddocks to intensively graze problem areas. The goats
are allowed to graze until all the tender growth is removed but before they do
damage to the native timber. This removes the competition among the vegetation
for soil nutrients and increases grazing area for the livestock. For more
comparison photos and information on using goats to control brush, please visit
our other website:
http://www.angelfire.com/mo3/leunenfarms/
For more information about sustainable agriculture, goat production, multi-species grazing, and sustainable pasture management see the ATTRA website: www.attra.org
LINK Leunen Farms received a Missouri Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Award in 1998.
Visit our LINKS PAGE for more information on sustainable agriculture!
or contact:
LEUNEN FARMS
PO Box 189, Lancaster, MO 63548
Home: 660-457-2125 Barn: 660-216-0231