Back in 1985 there was famine in Africa due to drought, wars, and government intervention of the grain market. A worldwide response was to have two concerts by the most notable performers on the planet, such as U2 and Queen, at Wembley Stadium in London and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania called Live Aid. Those two events raised over 125 million dollars for the people of Africa! Almost forty years later, similar issues of food scarcity still exist around the world today, especially with the war in Ukraine where that country exports a significant amount of grains to the world! The current centralized nature of farming is a contributing factor to world hunger as well as providing food in developed nations that is tainted with chemicals that may not be as healthy as we deserve. Technology is going to change this. Imagine having fresh home-grown fruits and vegetables in a turn-key fashion in our homes that are not affected by all the substances that are put in our food? The time has come to decentralized farming! Another word for this type of farming is regenerative farming.
In the future, regenerative farming at one's house or backyard will become a common practice as people realize the importance of sustainability and the impact of their daily choices on the environment. Farming this way is an approach that focuses on building soil health, promoting biodiversity, and reducing carbon emissions through sustainable agriculture practices. The United Nations has presented seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are calls to action to end world hunger, improve health, have sustainable cities, and much more, to implement these concepts. And, there will be the ability to train people and families on how to do this on a worldwide basis using technology, such as the metaverse (a virtual 3D world) and artificial intelligence (AI). Tate Dooley, CEO of Backyard Farming Supply in Broomfield, Colorado, USA is a leader in this field and is even promoting an eighteenth SDG of sustainable development in the agricultural sector using AI and the blockchain (non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse). Some are calling this Agriculture 5.0 where farming meets enhanced technologies!
As great as technology is, imagine waking up every morning to the sound of birds chirping and the sight of your lush green garden, teeming with life. The air is fresh and clean, and you can't help but feel a sense of peace and tranquility. This is the future of decentralized farming at one's house, where anyone can cultivate their own food and contribute to the health of the planet.
Another positive of regenerative farming at home is knowing exactly where your food comes from and being sure that it is free from harmful pesticides and chemicals. There is an incredible peace of mind when you can walk out into your backyard and pick fresh, ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce for your salad or strawberries for your cereal and know that they have not been tainted by external influences. Plus, growing your own food is a great way to save money and contribute to the benefit of Mother Earth! Home cultivation also helps reduce the carbon emissions associated with transportation and packaging from large, centralized farms to our grocery stores. This means that by growing at home, you are actively contributing to the fight against climate change.
Soil health is critical to farming success because it supports the growth of strong, resilient plants that are less susceptible to pests and disease plus more! Healthy soil is the foundation of any successful garden, so it's important to focus on building soil health through composting, cover cropping (growing crops for the soil and not to eat), and crop rotation. These practices help to improve soil structure, increase soil fertility, and reduce erosion. Good quality soil can also store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is called carbon sequestration. Agriculture 5.0 is where AI is used for precision farming techniques, such as precision irrigation, crop rotation, and cover cropping to lower emissions and capture more carbon in the soil, which reduces the carbon footprint (provisional patent pending, Backyard Farming Supply).
In addition to focusing on soil health, it's also important to choose the right plants for your garden. Look for varieties that are well-suited to your climate and soil type, and that are resistant to certain insects and disease. This will help to ensure a successful harvest and reduce the need for pesticides and other chemicals. This is another area where AI and the metaverse will help in the selection process of the most appropriate fruits, vegetables, and fertilizers.
If you're interested in regenerative farming at home, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it's important to start small and be patient. It will take time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it. Start by growing a few herbs or vegetables in containers or raised beds (called comfort height gardening, which is better for your back), and then gradually expand your garden as you gain more experience. Once you become comfortable with your small garden, there are some incredible methods to enhance your harvest by utilizing greenhouses and indoor/outdoor plumbing supplies to automate your farming in a turn-key way! Mr. Dooley even reports that “you can go on vacation for weeks and come home to explosive growth in your garden because of automation!”
Decentralized farming at home is not only beneficial for the environment and your biological health, but also your mental health. There is something to be said when you can connect with nature and your community. Engaging your neighbors with your garden and food by sharing or even teaching them is a beautiful way to help build communities around sustainability.
The exciting part of all of this is that if it is fully embraced, it can help feed the world. The United Nations is allocating $172 trillion to the SDG initiative. In order to do this, technology must be in place to help people learn how to do it in the most efficient manner. Food deserts (regions where people have limited access to healthy food) can be identified with AI and the metaverse to provide fast solutions to remedy the issue. In addition, NFTs can be used to create digital marketplaces where you can access information, products, and educational resources on farming. Teaching people how to do this on a large-scale basis will create a healthier society and planet as well as reduce the reliance on centralized platforms to deliver food to the world!
Regenerative or decentralized farming at home is a powerful way to take control of your health, potentially help feed the world, and reduce the potential for famine. By growing your own food and focusing on sustainable practices, you can reduce your carbon footprint, improve soil health, and create a sense of community around food and sustainability. It is an exciting time to engage in this way of life and it may bring a lot of joy and fulfillment to you and your community! And, if this way of life can be replicated efficiently, Mr. Dooley believes that this will be the technology that brings food to the moon or beyond!!!
Special thanks to Tate Dooley, CEO of Backyard Farming Supply, for his input on this important topic. Prince Albert invited Tate to the MEWS Awards (Metaverse Entertainment World Summit) in Monaco as a Better World Nominee on May 3-4, 2023. He can be found at www.backyardfarmingsupply.com for further information.
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