EM NATURE Farming handbook:

 

 

 

                       

 

 

  Experiences in America

 

 

 

Written and Edited by:

John M. Phillips

The Living Earth Training Center, Inc.

P. O. Box 3033

Snowflake, AZ 85937

www.gardeningforpeace.com

 

                                                   

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Introduction:

Mokichi Okada, Nature Farming, Health and Civilization..............................................

Dr. Teruo Higa and the Discovery of EM.....................................................................

How EM was Discovered?..............................................................................

What is EM?...................................................................................................

 

Nature Farming and EM Philosophy.........................................................................................

 

Relationship of EM Nature Farming to Conventional Agriculture...............................................

Improving Yield and Quality, Reducing Costs, Increasing Profitability............................

Using EM and Nature Farming Techniques during Transition.........................................

 

EM Nature Farming in Relation to Organic Agriculture.............................................................

Classical Organic Agriculture.......................................................................................

Rudolf Steiner and Bio-dynamic Agriculture.................................................................

John Jeavons and Bio-Intensive Agriculture..................................................................

Bill Mollison and Permaculture.....................................................................................

Traditional Farming Systems of Indigenous Peoples......................................................

 

EM Products and Forms..........................................................................................................

EM Stock Solution: EM-1, a.k.a. (Kyusei EM)............................................................

EM Seed Stocks: (EM-2, EM-3, EM-4).....................................................................

EM Extended Forms: EM-Extended,

EM-Fermented Plant Extract (EM-FPE) and EM-5 ....................................................

EM Extracts: EM-X, EM-Z ........................................................................................

EM Fermented Materials: EM Bokashi, EM Compost, EM Ceramics ..........................

EM for Livestock/Aquaculture: EM Probiotic for Livestock,

EM Waste Treatment .................................................................................................

EM Ceramics, Filters & Other EM Devices and Products ...........................................

EM Grown/Processed Products: EM Cosmetics,

EM Gold Tea, EM Beverages, Foods and Fibers.........................................................

 

 

 

General Principles of Using EM for Agricultural Applications ...................................................

“Dialing-In” EM for Agricultural Applications........................................................

 

 

 

EM Application to Vegetable Crops and Home Gardens..........................................................

EM in the Home Garden: Simple methods to apply EM................................................

Market Gardening with EM and EM Bokashi Recycling System...................................

Commercial Vegetable Crop Production Using EM......................................................

 

EM Application to Field Crops................................................................................................

Cotton.

Small Grains................................................................................................................

Field Corn...................................................................................................................

Soybeans and Dry Beans.............................................................................................

Processing Tomatoes...................................................................................................

Potatoes......................................................................................................................

Forages and Pastures...................................................................................................

 

EM Application to Orchards and Vineyards.............................................................................

Citrus, Oranges, Lemons, Limes and Grapefruit............................................................

Dates, Figs, Coconuts..................................................................................................

Apples and Pears........................................................................................................

Apricots, Peaches and Nectarines................................................................................

Avocado.....................................................................................................................

Coffee.

Bananas and Tropical Fruits.........................................................................................

Table Grapes and Wine Grapes...................................................................................

 

EM Application to Greenhouse Crops......................................................................................

Tomatoes....................................................................................................................

Cucumbers..................................................................................................................

Lettuce

Other Vegetables and Melons......................................................................................

Herbs..

Flowers.......................................................................................................................

Ornamentals................................................................................................................

 

Glossary of Terms...................................................................................................................

 

Conversion Factors.................................................................................................................

 

References, Sources and Resources.........................................................................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction:

Mokichi Okada, Nature Farming, Health and Civilization

Agriculture in the 21^st Century promises to be very different from the practices of the last 50 years of the 20^th Century.  New discoveries in the sciences of microbiology and ecology will impact and transform the methods of food production in ways that are little heard of today.  Yet this new agriculture will surprise many with its techniques because the most radical changes will take place in the arena of ideas, as much as in the farms, fields and livestock production facilities. The new concepts guiding the development of a sustainable agriculture able to readily provide the food for future human populations are presently spreading across the globe.  Already, in more than 80 different countries, pioneering farmers are adopting these new techniques and the concepts that go with them.  This new movement in agriculture is known to many as “Nature Farming,” and for many of its practitioners, the use of EM or “Effective Microorganisms” is the core technology for soil fertility management.

 

Nature Farming originates in Japan in the philosophy of Mokichi Okada (1882-1955) whose work on these ideas began in the early 1930's.  The philosophy of Nature Farming seeks to create agricultural ecosystems that are in harmony and balance with nature. Nature Farming uses the forces of nature to create unsurpassed productivity while preserving and improving the quality of the soil as the basis for production.  The model for Nature Farming is from nature itself, from the undisturbed ecosystems of the forests and prairies.  Okada noticed these natural ecosystems spontaneously accumulate fertility and keep disease outbreaks and other problems in check.  How is this possible?  The answer is through the creation of “living soil.”  According to Okada living soil has almost a mystical power to create harmony and balance in the plant life growing in it, in the animal and human life subsisting on the fruits of it, and in its ability to heal itself from all disturbances in the ecosystem surrounding it.

 

The movement spawned by Okada’s philosophy of Nature Farming continued after his passing, and began to spread to other countries by the early 1970's.  The early techniques of Nature Farming worked through imitating nature and using natural or organic methods for crop production.  Some of the practices of Nature Farming share much in common with the permaculture movement, and with other forms of organic agriculture.  A special emphasis is directed toward making “natural compost” to help create the living soil so fundamental to the practice of Nature Farming.  While some of the results of this Nature Farming technique are outstanding, still the many crop failures experienced could only be explained as the failure to actually create living soil in the farm ecosystem. An important factor in such failures is the difficulty in making good quality natural compost.

 

Making natural compost can be a “hit or miss” effort.  If the compost rots in the absence of oxygen, such as might happen if it becomes waterlogged due to excess rain or the addition of too much water, then putrefaction can result, and the compost will actually have a toxic effect on the soil.  The same result could happen with the use of animal manures from animals raised in confinement where the manure became putrefactive.  Again, this material can have a toxic effect on the soil due to excess ammonia and other compounds.  The techniques available to correct these deficiencies were laborious, and mostly consisted of mixing the offending materials with good quality, natural compost or soil and air to overwhelm the toxic effects. 

 

Another difficulty is adopting the Nature Farming techniques to the demands of production agriculture, particularly when expanding to large-scale operations, such as seen in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, among other countries. It is simply too expensive to make and apply natural compost in sufficient quantity for such large-scale operations. These limitations stifled the expansion of the Nature Farming movement until the early 1980's when Dr. Teruo Higa, a professor of horticulture at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan, shared his amazing discovery of “Effective Microorganisms” or EM with the proponents of Nature Farming.

 

Okada anticipated the discovery of EM when he referred to the mysterious power of living soil to heal itself and the environment.  The living component of soil is based on the microbial life of the soil.  The interaction of soil microbial life with plants creates soil fertility.  Dr. Higa discovered that certain components of the microbial life of the soil were “effective” in controlling the dynamics of soil life.  These “Effective Microorganisms” were able to influence the other microorganisms in the soil through their ability to create enzymes, sugars, vitamins, and other substances that served as food for other beneficial microorganisms. Another distinct ability of EM is the ability to ferment organic matter and the ability to exploit low oxygen environments as facultative anaerobes. When used in large enough numbers, these effective microorganisms could prevent putrefaction in low oxygen environments.  These characteristics of EM proved to be the key to correcting the short-comings of the nature farming method.

 

According to Mokichi Okada, Nature Farming and the production of wholesome food free of contamination from chemical toxins is the key to creating human health, and the creation of natural human health is the basis for creating a new civilization in balance and harmony with itself and with nature.  Okada predicted that this new civilization would come into flower by the middle of the 21^st Century.  Human consciousness and the awareness that we must live in harmony in order to survive and thrive as we keep expanding in population are becoming driving forces in shaping policies and practices, especially with regards to food production.  The Nature Farming movement, combined with appropriate technologies, such as the use of Effective Microorganisms (EM), is in the process of becoming a global solution to the problem of feeding humanity while remaining in harmony with nature.  EM Nature Farming even holds the promise of being a key tool in the transition process of converting agriculture from present conventional practices to sustainable organic methods.  EM is proving to be a key tool in doing this, and in repairing many kinds of damage to the environment.

Dr. Higa and the Discovery of EM

How EM was Discovered?

 

Dr. Teruo Higa was born December 28, 1941, and grew up on a small farm in rural Okinawa.  As a youth, he studied ken po, the Japanese martial art of the sword. His love of farming and of nature and his ability to cut to the heart of matters has guided his life and his work. He graduated from the University of the Ryukyus with a degree in Agriculture and received his doctorate from Kyushu University. In 1970 he returned as a lecturer to the University of the Ryukyus, and became a full professor there in 1982.

Dr. Higa began his research that led to the discovery of EM in 1969.  Initially, he studied the ability of various bacteria to impart frost protection to tender fruits.  His success in this area led him to investigate vigorously the possible uses of beneficial microorganisms in agriculture.  He often describes his quest in his lectures as follows:

 

“At first, I was one of the chief proponents of chemical-based agriculture.  Having grown up on a farm, I experienced first hand the drudgery of relying on compost and manure for fertilizer.  Upon entering my studies in agriculture, I vowed to find methods to make such drudgery obsolete.  At first, I thought the answer was farming with chemicals, and I made great strides to recommend and promote the use of fertilizers and pesticides among the farmers I was advising.  After a time, however, my own health began to be affected by exposure to the toxic effects of these chemicals, and so, I began to seek alternatives, but still avoided the so-called “organic methods” because of the work involved making compost.  So, I sought the answer in working with beneficial microorganisms.

 

When I started this research, I gathered together samples of all the beneficial microorganisms that were available in the type-culture collections around the world.  Initially, there were about two thousand species I was working with.  As I cultured them out in test tubes and on selective media, I noticed that many of them were quite unpleasant to work with.  In fact, some of them made me sick from exposure to them.  So, I immediately discarded any candidates which produced noxious odors or other unpleasant effects.  This process of elimination reduced the number of cultures I was working with to about 200 species. 

 

At that point, I learned about the use of “structured water,” also known as π water (pi water).  According to the theory of structured water, nothing noxious or harmful can grow in such water; at the same time, it is said to be beneficial to positive life forms that are useful to humans.  So, I experimented with using such water in the culture media.  The result was amazing, for some species grew robustly, and others faltered and died out. This gave me approximately 80 species to work with, and by trial and error, and with a little serendipity thrown in, the basic formula for EM was discovered.”

What is EM?

The key to the discovery of EM is a certain harmonious grouping of three basic components: photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts.  Quantitatively, photosynthetic bacteria form a minor component of EM, but functionally, they form the key to the way EM works in the environment.  The lactic acid bacteria and yeasts form partnerships with the photosynthetic bacteria.  This alliance of these three groups enables other groups of beneficial microorganisms to be functional under conditions which they would otherwise not thrive, or even survive.  Actinomycetes, beneficial fungi, and free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria are the chief allies to the basic triumvirate of photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. 

When added to the environment, these “Effective Microorganisms” act to enhance the activities of other beneficial microorganisms, either those already present in the environment, or those incidentally present in the EM cultures. These include cellulose-digesting bacteria, many kinds of aerobic bacteria, pseudomonades, Rhizobium sp., and beneficial fungi such as mycorrhizae and Tricoderma sp.,  and many others. EM as a microbial inoculant helps to increase the overall vigor and species diversity of the beneficial micro flora in the soil or whatever environment where EM is applied. 

 

At the same time, the activities of the EM produce substances and by-products that are very beneficial to the soil food web and the environment.  These beneficial substances include many enzymes, organic acids, vitamins, amino acids, chelated micro-nutrients and other growth factors that benefit soil-plant relationships.  The positive influence of these substances secreted by the beneficial microorganisms activated by the use of EM is at least as important as the activities of the microorganisms in EM itself in creating conditions for healthy crops.

 

Since the initial discovery of EM,  an evolution is taking place in understanding the nature and properties of EM as a new tool for creating a sustainable agriculture and environment.  First, EM was used simply as a general-purpose microbial inoculate for application to crops.  Soon, it was discovered that EM could also benefit livestock applications. As EM began to be widely used, observations suggested that EM has additional properties besides just the type and number of beneficial microorganisms in the EM cultures.  Observations of the effects of EM use on tools,  equipment and facilities demonstrate a strong antioxidant character for EM.  This antioxidant ability of EM led to new applications of EM and development of new forms of EM products.  Investigation of these new forms and applications of EM led to the study of the physics of EM.  The role of “nuclear magnetic resonance” or nmr as an important property of EM cultures and EM products, especially EM extracts and EM ceramics, is a current topic of EM research.

 

Scientific investigation into EM continues and is ever-expanding.  In some countries, the government agencies have become involved in teaching farmers and other groups about the benefits of using EM.  Use of EM has spread to millions of households and thousands of farms around the world.

Nature Farming and EM Philosophy

The philosophy of Nature Farming and EM technology focuses on observing and imitating nature.  If we closely and correctly observe nature, we can discover the mechanisms and relationships that enable nature to survive and thrive in this world.  Mokichi Okada spent years communing with nature in the mountains and forests of Japan.  He closely observed the relationships of plants and soil, and became convinced that living soil held mysterious powers of regeneration. The tendency of natural plant communities to create a harmonious balance of life that was very stable and resilient, capable of enduring over centuries and millennia, provoked Okada to imagine that this same harmony and balance could be created in the human activity of agriculture. Starting in 1933, and continuing until his death in 1955, Okada experimented with adapting the patterns and principles he observed in nature to the practice of farming.  Okada shared his insights with his students and others, and communicated by letter with other investigators of natural and organic agriculture, especially with J. I. Rodale in the United States.

 

From the very beginning of the Nature Farming movement, practical testing and demonstration went hand-in-hand with theoretical development. Okada recruited assistants to help him test and perfect nature farming practices.  The practical results of this testing helped confirm Okada’s observations from nature. 

 

Many of the practices of nature farming are completely at odds with the practices and viewpoint of conventional agriculture.  A prime example of this is the concept of crop rotation.  In conventional agriculture, crops must be rotated constantly to avoid build-up of pest insects and diseases.  If a conventional farmer follows a crop with the same crop on the same field, often the build-up of pests and diseases are so severe that the crop is an economic failure. Not so with nature farming.  Okada demonstrated that planting the same crop on the same field time after time using nature farming practices created a situation where the crop acted like the climax vegetation of a natural ecosystem.  The more the crop was planted on the same soil, the better it grew. It was as if the crop became a “specialized worker”, increasingly adept at transforming the raw materials of the soil, water, air and sun into the final product, itself.  So, Okada strongly recommended planting the same crop on the same soil time and again.

 

Another practice of nature farming recommended by Okada is seed saving and planting generation after generation of seed of crops grown using nature farming practices.  Within a couple of years, such cultivars exhibited superior quality of nutrition and taste.  Of course, this can only be easily done with open-pollinated varieties, not readily with hybrids and certainly not GMO seeds. But, isn’t this the way of nature after all?  Are not the genotypes of the seeds of the plants of the forests and prairies perfectly adapted to their local conditions of soil type and climate by the repeated generations growing there? Similarly, Okada recommended planting wind breaks of trees surrounding fields so that the fields resembled clearings in the forest.  Keeping the soil covered with a growing crop or thick layer of mulch was also highly recommended.  Detailed recommendations were given for rice growing, the most important crop in Japan, such as warming irrigation water in spring by passing it over shallow ditches.

Basic to the nature farming philosophy according to Okada was the principle of balancing the three primal energies of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon.  Each of these was associated with a basic element, namely, fire, soil, and water.  Each of these, in turn, was associated with an essential nutrient, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen.  At first glance, such ideas may seem esoteric and irrelevant, but, in practice, they beautifully reflect the natural world and the cycles of nature. For the balance of these three energies of Sun, Earth and Moon is exactly what nature exhibits in the natural progression of the seasons.  To be successful, any farmer, but especially those following nature farming principles, must adhere closely to the cycles of the seasons controlled by the passage of the earth around the sun, the cycles of winter, spring, summer and fall.  Lunar cycles are known to be significant to plant growth due to the influence of the moon on water cycles. 

 

Okada’s teachings on nature farming were summarized by Dr. Teruo Higa as the Five Principles of Nature Farming.  The Five Principles, taken together, help to define true nature farming.  They are:

 

1. Nature farming is simple to understand and can be practiced by anyone.

2. Nature farming is beneficial to both the farmer and society and protects the environment.

3. Nature farming preserves and protects the soil, the basis of sustainable agriculture.

4. Nature farming preserves nature and the environment for future generations.

5. Nature farming is able to continuously increase production to meet the needs of an expanding human population without disrupting or destroying nature.

 

Mokichi Okada emphasized the role of “Living Soil” as the key principle in successful Nature Farming.  He spoke of the mysterious power of living soil to provide for the needs of all kinds of plant life.  Okada recognized that there was a power in living soil that could heal itself in response to disruptions such as fire, flood, even volcanic activity or earthquakes.  He also saw that this power could be assimilated by plants and transformed into “Life Force”, the true source of nutrition in food.  Nature farming was designed by Okada to maximize the life force in resulting crops.  According to Okada, such crops would experience little damage from insects and diseases, and provide the optimum nutrition to sustain animals and humans.

 

It was Dr. Teruo Higa’s great insight due to his work with Effective Microorganisms to recognize that the mysterious power of living soil was the result of the work of the mostly invisible soil life, the microorganisms, earthworms and other living components of the soil.  The interesting thing is that it turns out that the organisms in Effective Microorganisms (EM) are the key to creating living soil in a reliable and predictable manner.

 

 

Dr. Higa’s studies of EM and various farming systems lead him to create a system to classify soils according to their microbial activity and characteristics.  The system of Microbial Classification of Soil created by Dr. Higa demonstrates that there is a very close correlation with the type of farming system being used and the Microbial Classification of the Soil. This system of soil classification is one of the key concepts in Nature Farming with EM.

There are four soil types:

 

Ø                  Disease-Inducing Soil, characteristic of conventional farming systems using heavy tillage and chemical inputs. The disruptive effects of conventional farming are reflected in reduced species diversity and reduced numbers of beneficial microorganisms and a high number of putrefactive and pathogenic microorganisms. Epizoic disease outbreaks  are a constant worry, and commonly cause severe economic damage unless controlled by  toxic chemicals or other measures. Earthworms and other macro-fauna of the soil are also low in number and activity.

 

Ø                  Disease-Resistant Soil, characteristic of organic farming systems using reduced tillage and organic inputs. The restorative effects of using organic inputs and reducing tillage help restore species diversity and increase the numbers of beneficial microorganisms, especially aerobic types.  Putrefactive and pathogenic microorganisms, though still present, exist in harmony and balance with beneficial types and usually do not cause epizoic outbreaks of disease. Earthworms and other macro fauna increase in numbers and activity.

 

Ø                  Zymogenic or Nutrient-Sharing Soil, characteristic of the early stages of nature farming systems using reduced tillage, organic inputs plus EM. The use of EM in various ways and forms introduces the fermentation pathway of organic-matter recycling.  Fermentation creates zymogens or enzymes, and a host of other beneficial substances which serve as food and substrates for other beneficial microorganisms. Both population density and species diversity of beneficial microorganisms increase, including both aerobic types and beneficial anaerobic types (facultative anaerobic or fermentation types).  Earthworms and other soil micro-fauna increase even further in numbers, species diversity and activity.  The soil starts to become a living soil. 

 

Ø                  Nutrient-Synthesizing Soil, characteristic of a mature nature farming system, much like a climax forest or prairie, where the soil naturally provides its own fertility from residues and natural processes, such as nitrogen-fixation by free-living and legume-symbiotic microorganisms.   Pathogenic and putrefactive microorganisms perform beneficial functions and do not cause epizoic losses.  Both beneficial microorganisms and macro fauna reach stability with high numbers and maximum species diversity.  The soil becomes truly a living soil, and exists in a natural state of harmony and balance.  The mature nature farming system produces the maximum sustained yield indefinitely.

 

 

EM is the critical tool to transform conventional and even organic farming systems into truly sustainable nature farming systems.  Both conventional and organic farmers are surprised to see the results of using EM in their farms. The effectiveness of EM is one of the reasons why this nature farming method using EM is spreading rapidly in many countries throughout the world.

 

We have learned much from these humble microorganisms known as EM.  Among other things, we can learn to respect differences and work harmoniously with nature to create a truly abundant and sustainable food production system.  Dr. Higa has developed what is known as “EM Philosophy” to help spread the use of EM in agriculture and other applications to help save the earth.  EM Philosophy is modeled on EM itself.  Like EM, we can create a better world for all life through cooperation and sharing the best we have to offer. EM Philosophy requires that EM be low-cost, easy to use and understand, and highly effective in healing the soil and the environment. EM needs to be sustainable, to not cause pollution or harm to humans, animals or plants, or even to the invisible life of the soil.

 

Dr. Higa has chosen not to profit personally from the discovery of EM but rather to share EM freely with the world in order to save it.  Thus, EM is spread mainly through the work of volunteers and the efforts of several organizations that have sprung up to assist Dr. Higa in this work.  EM Research Organization (EMRO) in Okinawa, Japan serves as the international headquarters for this activity.  Since 1989, there have been a series of international conferences on EM and Kyusei (Earth-Saving) Nature Farming.  Conference proceedings and other publications, videos and other resources are available to help spread the information about this important movement.  A list is provided in this manual in the Sources and Resources section.

 

 

In some countries, the national government is leading the expansion effort of EM Nature Farming by providing financial support and other aid through the Ministry of Agriculture.  In other regions, private companies and individuals, or non-profit organizations are leading the way.  EM is always sold at very low cost and minimum profit, to make it affordable.  Profits above costs serve as income to self-fund the work of expansion.

 

So, this is how the EM movement mimics EM itself.  EM helps to create a better world just by using it.  As this EM nature farming expansion activity proceeds, the role and relationship of this movement is being appreciated by both conventional and organic farmers and leaders.  We now examine some of these relationships in order to understand better what EM is and how it works.

 

Relationship of EM Nature Farming to Conventional Agriculture

Conventional agriculture with its high-tech methods and sophisticated equipment and inputs is the dominant method of food production in the world.  Even in developing countries, the use of agricultural chemicals is widespread and dominant.  This approach to food production receives the lion’s-share of government support through agricultural programs, research, and training at the universities and so on.  Yet, many, even in government and at the universities, are becoming concerned about the question of how sustainable is this approach to food production.  Can it be productive over the long term?  Many are expressing doubts and concerns about this issue for a variety of reasons.  Topsoil loss is becoming catastrophic in many regions of the world where conventional practices are followed.  Chemical contamination of the environment and of the food itself is an issue of increasing public concern.  The high costs of farming and the low prices of commodities are driving farmers out of business in record numbers.  Soon, there may not be enough hands to do the work.  In the face of such concerns, how does the EM nature farming movement relate to conventional agriculture.

 

Improving Yield and Quality, Reducing Costs, Increasing Profitability

Even in the context of conventional agriculture using chemical inputs, EM is demonstrating an ability to improve yield and quality while reducing costs and improving profits.  Numerous experiments testing yields using chemical fertilizer with and without EM show that using EM can increase yields significantly above fertilizer alone. (Hussein, et al, 1999) This is an interesting result.  What is even more interesting is that many of these experiments also show that using EM with organic fertilizer, such as compost or green manure, results in yield that are equal to chemical fertilizer.  This removes one of the barriers to transition from chemical-based agriculture to organic farming on a mass scale, namely, that such a move usually results in yield loss, income reduction and loss of profit.  Research shows that over the long term, EM nature farming can out-yield conventional farming and produce crops of superior quality and nutrition while enhancing, not harming the environment. (Higa, 1995) 

 

Using EM and Nature Farming Techniques during Transition

Conventional farmers who are adopting EM nature farming methods find themselves going through a natural process of transition to alternative agriculture.  In order to benefit economically from the use of EM, it is recommended that the farmer use enough EM to obtain the full benefit.  Typically, 20 to 30 gallons of EM extended per acre is recommended for the first three to five year period.  To afford to use this much EM, it is necessary to reduce the amount spent on chemical fertilizer and pesticide.  The usual recommendation is to reduce chemical fertilizer input by 50% and pesticide use by a similar rate.  In that case, the cost of EM is more than compensated by the reduced cost of chemicals.  Generally, the yield will remain about the same or go up slightly, while quality will increase significantly.  This increases net income for the farmer.  In the second year, the same rate of EM is applied, but fertilizer and pesticide is reduced by another 50%.  In the third year, the chemicals can be eliminated entirely.

It is helpful during the transition process to modify the farming system to adopt other nature farming techniques as well as to use EM.  Cover crops and green manures can help grow fertility right on the farm.  Full use of crop residues using EM to help break them down and release nutrients is a wise practice. Reducing tillage also helps EM to become established and for the soil life to proliferate.

 

Insects and diseases are common worries for the conventional farmer, and weed control is a major expense.  In their view, these things are all pests that ruin a crop and destroy their profit.  In the natural scheme of things, these organisms are a part of nature and they all perform useful functions.  Life could not exist in balance without them.

 

During the transition process, the farmer has to learn a new way of thinking.  The farmer has to find the way to use the things in nature to bring the farm into harmony and balance.  This is not really all that difficult, for this is the design of nature.  The farmer needs to learn how to use nature to advantage.  Nature farming makes a science of studying the ways nature creates harmony and balance.  Then, the challenge is to work out a practice or a system that will mimic what nature does and make it applicable to the nature farming system.  A typical example of this is the development of on-farm insectaries, also known as “pest break strips” for use in controlling insects in vegetable crops.  Such a system was developed for the Nature Farm Conversion Project which was a study funded by the California Energy Commission on the energy and cost savings that resulting from transforming a farm that had been farmed with conventional methods for many decades into a nature farm.  This was an abrupt transition, what is called a “cold turkey” conversion from conventional farming to organic nature farming virtually overnight.

 

Pest break strips consist of strips planted to a mixture of alfalfa and clover which are placed at 330 foot intervals to separate crops of organic nature farm vegetables.  In the pest break strips, many sucking and chewing (herbivorous) type insects are attracted due to the high protein content of the plant mixture there relative to the low protein content of the vegetables.  The pests prefer the high protein plants.  The farmer manages this system to advantage by mowing the pest break strip, but the trick is to mow only half of each strip at a time.  These leaves a tall crop of alfalfa/clover mixture for the pests that survive the mowing to move to, and the predators and parasites move there too and build up high concentrations of their numbers relative to the pests.  As this process continues, the predators and parasites quickly build up very high numbers and migrate out to the vegetables in search of food, and end up doing an excellent job of controlling the herbivorous type insects in the vegetables.  This is how a nature farm system can use the forces of nature to create harmony and balance on the farm just as nature does in a forest and prairie.

 

 

Weeds can be controlled by cultivation and using mulches of straw.  There are cover crops that can be planted and turned under that release natural chemicals that destroy or inhibit weeds.  Diseases don’t proliferate in healthy soil/plant communities.  We can also take advantage of the natural resistance of some plants to diseases by using natural selective breeding techniques. 

 

 

 

EM Nature Farming in Relation to Organic Agriculture

 

We usually think of organic agriculture as the goal when we talk about the process of transition and conversion from conventional agriculture.  However, nature farming using EM technology, is able to create a truly regenerative organic agriculture as envisioned by Robert Rodale.   Most forms of organic agriculture do not achieve this regenerative state or are able to do so only after several years of costly transition.  This helps to explain the short-comings of organic agriculture which have provoked so much criticism and resistance on the part of farmers, researchers and policy makers.

 

The criticisms leveled at organic agriculture as a solution to the world food problem of feeding an ever-expanding population of human beings are based on the perception, right or wrong, that organic agriculture simply is not up to the task of feeding the world.  Without the use of chemicals and the other tools and techniques of conventional agriculture, it is said, many people would starve. Scientists and farmers point out, for example, that crop yield and quality often go down dramatically when conventional farmers try to convert to organic agriculture.  Organic farmers and researchers counter that crop yields and quality stabilize at near conventional agriculture levels after a period of four or five years.  But that’s too late for most farmers who are only a crop or two away from bankruptcy to begin with.  Meanwhile, the world food problem grows more precarious every year.  While the debate goes on, soil quality, the factor on which all food production depends, is declining dramatically around the world in all of the critical production areas.  A world food crisis is inevitable unless we end the debate and move quickly towards sustainable practices that regenerate the means of production, especially with respect to restoring soil quality.

 

Nature farming with EM technology has demonstrated the ability to solve the short-comings of organic agriculture while providing the necessary tools and strategies for conventional farmers to safely and economically transition to sustainable practices.  Research has shown that EM and nature farming practices is able to provide abundant food supplies equal to or better than the yield by conventional agriculture.  If this point is taken seriously, then conventional farmers, researchers and policy makers have a new direction to follow in adjusting the world food production system to become environmentally-friendly and sustainable. 

 

Organic Agriculture in America

So, if nature farming with EM technology can answer the concern of growing enough food to feed the world, what might be the relationship of this system of sustainable agriculture to organic agriculture?  In the United States, the organic farming movement began with the efforts of J. I. Rodale and his son Robert, and advanced through the publication of Organic Gardening Magazine and the work of the Rodale Press to publish books and other sources of information.  The Rodale method, based on compost, mulching and natural biological control of pests,  gave birth to the system of organic farming that spread throughout America.  J. I. Rodale exchanged correspondence with Mokichi Okada in Japan, so, from the earliest days there has been a cross-fertilization process between organic agriculture and nature farming.

 

The methods developed by J. I. Rodale focused on the use of compost, much as did Mokichi Okada.  Both Rodale and Okada looked to nature for example and inspiration for ideas on how to approach creating sustainable and environmentally-sound gardening and farming practices.  Both also saw the connection between human health and the soil/plant relationship.  To create healthy humans it is necessary to create a healthy soil to create a healthy plant that will truly nourish people.  Both saw the invisible life of the soil as the key to this process.  Both spent their lives seeking the answers to how to create this “living soil”, the key to healthy life.  Both left a legacy of writings and ideas that has deeply influenced both organic farming and nature farming as significant movements in alternative agriculture.

 

Robert Rodale championed the concept of “regenerative organic agriculture”.  Bob Rodale saw that organic agriculture had the potential to transform the wastes of our human culture into the inputs of a sustainable farming system that could feed the world.  Bob Rodale also created the Rodale Institute and recruited reputable scientists to give organic farming serious consideration and study.  He organized the first experiments testing the use of organic farming techniques in the transition from conventional agriculture. He often spoke at conferences and symposia on the topic of organic agriculture, and his writing and speeches helped inspire a whole generation of Americans and people around the world to work to make organic farming a universal practice.

 

Through the work of J. I. and Robert Rodale, and the efforts of many others who were inspired by their work, the organic agriculture movement in the United States was born, grew and prospered.  In 1990, the US Congress recognized the vitality of this movement by enacting the Organic Foods Production Act as part of the 1990 Farm Bill, and charged the USDA with creating a uniform code of standards and a label for the production and marketing of organic foods. Organic food is the fastest growing segment of the food industry in the United States and has become a multi-billion dollar a year business.

 

Compared to organic agriculture, Nature Farming in the United States is still in its infancy.  EM was introduced to the United States in 1990 as part of the Nature Farm Conversion Project.  In 1992, EM was approved by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) as suitable for use in organic agriculture.  In 1993, the Third International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming was held in Santa Barbara, California.  This event helped introduce Nature Farming and EM technology to many key people in the alternative and sustainable agriculture research community in the United States.  Also in 1993, EM Technologies, Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit organization and began spreading interest in Nature Farming and EM technology.  A number of model farm and research projects in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Central America have ensued and Nature Farming with EM is increasing throughout the Americas.

 

Since the beginning there has been a connection and a link between nature farming in Japan and the organic farming movement in America.  Today, nature farming is recognized in Japan as one of the most important methods of providing food that is certified organic.  Nature farming with EM is poised in the United States to become much more popular as an organic production system under the National Organic Program.

 

Rudolf Steiner and Bio-dynamic Agriculture

In 1924, Rudolf Steiner presented a series of lectures on Agriculture to some farmers and out of these lectures the Bio-dynamic-Agriculture movement was born. Like nature farming, bio-dynamic agriculture looks to living soil as the key to healthy plant life resulting in healthy humans and animals that live on that food.  Also like nature farming, bio-dynamic agriculture seeks to balance celestial energies in the process of farming by closely following the cycles of the sun, moon, planets and constellations.

 

Bio-dynamic agriculture also uses certain preparations made from cow manure, minerals and herbs as homeopathic sprays to enhance certain energies in the soil and in plants and in the atmosphere surrounding the farm. The bio-dynamic method is as widespread in Europe and Australia as organic farming is in America and as popular as nature farming is in Japan and Asia. In 1995, the Fourth International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming was held in Paris, France and a number of important figures in the bio-dynamic movement attended and gave presentations.  IFOAM meetings have also served as a venue for the exchange of ideas between the proponents of Nature Farming and the biodynamic movement.

 

In the United States, the bio-dynamic movement chose to opt out of the National Organic Program, and thus, there is only limited interaction with it.  Yet most people in the organic farming movement in the United States recognize the bio-dynamic method as a form of organic agriculture.  Limited research has shown interesting interactions between EM and bio-dynamic sprays, and bio-dynamic farms who have tried EM have seen improved results in their fields. The Lubke family of Austria are renowned for teaching a method of composting using a form of bio-dynamic spray have come to recommend using EM on manures and other materials to treat or prevent putrefaction.

 

John Jeavons and Bio-Intensive Agriculture

John Jeavons was a student of Alan Chadwick who introduced the French Intensive Method to the United States.  This method uses a system of double-digging beds and close planting techniques to produce amazing amounts of food in small spaces. See: Ecology Action for more information.  The author of the present work used a modified form of this method to garden under desert conditions for many years. Although the method is very productive, the use of EM was shown to improve productivity and drought tolerance.  In a discussion with John Jeavons, the idea was proposed to substitute use of EM for double-digging entirely.  These experiments are yet to be performed.

 

Bill Mollison and Permaculture

One of the most popular movements in organic agriculture in the United States currently is permaculture, which has a world-wide following.  The term “Permaculture” was invented by Bill Mollison, the founder of the movement, to signify “permanent agriculture”.  Bill Mollison modeled permaculture on the dynamics of forest ecosystems which he had studied for many years.  In permaculture, crop plants are used to recreate the same kind of multi-storied canopy as a forest but with far more food production for humans than a natural forest.  In many ways, permaculture resembles and incorporates similar principles as Nature Farming.  Both rely on close observation of nature to guide the farmer in designing the farm as a system.  Some practitioners of permaculture are using EM and Nature Farming practices in their permaculture designs.  This is only natural, as permaculture principles seek always to find ways to adapt plants, soil, local culture and other factors to create site-specific solutions to the problem of creating an abundant food supply.  Most likely this process of adaptation and cross-fertilization of ideas and methods will continue and increase in the future.

Traditional Farming Systems of Indigenous Peoples

In the Americas, the traditional farming systems of the indigenous peoples were the original nature farming practices used to supply food.  While much of this way of life has been disrupted over the centuries since the opening of the Americas to colonization, there is also a resurgence of interest in the traditional methods of agriculture.  The Traditional Native American Farming Association (TNAFA) has sponsored a series of workshops to introduce Nature Farming with EM to traditional peoples in the Southwest.  Many tribes have substantial land and water rights and a concern to develop these resources in a sustainable manner to benefit present and future generations.

 

Some demonstration projects occurred on the Gila River Indian Reservation, and others are planned for other tribes.  The Nature Farming method using EM technology is very similar to traditional practices.  The respect for nature and the earth and the sense of kinship with all life that is part of the Native American way is inherently receptive to the concepts and techniques of Nature Farming. 

 

 

EM Products and Forms

There are many forms of EM which find use in agriculture.  For more information on EM products and applications visit the following web sites for details: www.emamerica.com;  www.emro.co.jp.  To order EM in the lower 48 states region of the U. S., contact EM America at www.emamerica.com

 

EM-1

 

EM-1 Agricultural is available in 5 gallon and 55 gallon sizes and is the basic stock solution of EM for agricultural applications.  EM-1 Agricultural is also used to make derived EM products, including EM Activated, EM-Fermented Plant Extract and EM 5.  EM Bokashi and EM compost are also made using EM-1 Agricultural. This product was developed by Dr. Higa to simplify the use of EM in agriculture, especially in the United States. In a sense EM-1 is the “Mother of all things” in terms of EM technology. In the U.S., the most common use of EM-1 is to make “activated EM”, which multiplies the amount of EM up to 22 times the original amount of EM-1.  The use of EM activated greatly reduces the cost of applying large amounts of EM for agricultural applications, which makes the use of EM very cost-effective.  Directions for making EM activated are available from EM America.  See: Directions for making EM Activated.

 

Secondary EM Products: EM Activated, EM-Fermented Plant Extract (EM-FPE), EM Bokashi and EM-5

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of EM technology for agricultural applications is the many extended forms of EM that can be created by the farmer-user if so desired.  These extended forms of EM reduce the cost of applying ample doses of EM over the large-sized farms so typical of commercial agriculture in the United States.  Each of these secondary forms of EM has unique properties which can be exploited to diversify the application of EM to crops and soils.  Such diversity has been proven beneficial in restoring the health of the soil/crop ecosystem.

 

Activated EM is made by culturing EM-1 in a closed container on a simple substrate of sugar (molasses) and purified water. In practice, plastic containers, drums or tanks are used which can be reasonably closed and made air-tight.  Glass is never used, as pressure develops due to the fermentation process and glass might explode.  The formula used is generally either a 1:1:10 ratio of EM, molasses and purified water, or a 1:1:20 ratio.  In some applications, higher ratios will be used, such as 1:1:50 or 1:1:100. 

 

The principal difference between the different ratios is the storage life of the Activated EM. Higher dilution rates result in more product to use but at the sacrifice of storage life.  The pH of the Activated EM determines whether the extension/activation is successful and complete.  Ideal pH is 3.5.

 

Quality control is critical to successful activation of EM.  This means that the vessel used must be thoroughly cleaned and free of any contamination that will introduce putrefaction into the process.  For large-scale production for commercial farms, cone-bottomed tanks are recommended, as they are easy to clean and maintain.  Purified water is created by two simple techniques.  First, EM-ceramics are used to treat the water by inserting them in the water.  There are two forms of EM-ceramics commonly used for such purpose, a powder form and an extruded form that resembles marbles or pieces of pipe.  The powder is used at a rate of 1 teaspoon per 50 gallons of water to be treated.  The extruded form is used at the rate of 1 pound per 1000 gallons.

EM-ceramics will induce the nuclear magnetic resonance of EM into the water, making it especially compatible with the growth of EM during the extension process.  EM-X can also be added at 1:10,000 ratio to the first batch in a new container.  The other method of purifying the water is to heat it to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.  In practice, the water is first treated with EM ceramics for at least 1 day, then it is heated to 140 degrees F.  The molasses is added to the heated water, which sterilizes the molasses.  The molasses/purified water is allowed to circulate or mix, then allowed to cool down to about 95 degrees F before the EM is added.  When these techniques are used, excellent quality activated EM is usually ready in 3 to 5 days, depending on the temperature.  In cold climates, the practice has been adapted to include insulating the tank or heating the room where the activation process is conducted.  Temperature controls the rate of the fermentation process.  Again, pH is monitored at least daily to check the process.  Also, gas pressure is released by opening the container or using a pressure-release valve set at 2 psi.

 

Failures or poor results (not reaching pH 3.5) usually can be traced to quality control factors that include: a) molasses quality or contamination; b) water quality or c) tank/area cleanliness.  Molasses should be free of contaminants and additives. Vendors often dismiss this concern, so one must be vigilant in determining that the molasses does not contain additives such as urea or preservatives to control mold.  Molasses that is suitable usually is about 75% pure molasses mixed with water to allow it to pour.  In most areas of the U. S., high quality molasses is available for a decent price.  Molasses is the preferred form of sugar to use to make activated EM, as it contains important minerals as well as sugars.  Other sugars used include rice syrup, sorghum syrup, corn syrup and raw brown sugar. Sugar beet molasses is not recommended due to contaminants.

 

Water quality can be a factor when the source of the water contains contaminants or is of poor quality.  City water with high doses of chlorine and fluoride should be aerated for 1 day, treated with EM-ceramics, and possibly filtered to remove as much of these contaminants as possible.  Poor quality water, especially water that comes from a foul-smelling source, such as a pond or ditch is not suitable for use in activating EM.  Use good quality well water or other such sources, or treat the water by aeration and filtration to make it suitable.

 

Containers can become contaminated in various ways.  Don’t use a container that was used to hold fish oil or similar products that have a bad smell.  Avoid such containers either to make EM extended in them, or to transport or store water, molasses or finished extended EM.  The contamination will ruin the quality of whatever comes in contact with it.

 

While it may seem that making high quality activated EM is quite a lot of work, the rewards are great, for activated EM is the most cost-effective way to use EM in farming.  Generally, it works out that the cost of activated EM is $1 to $3 per gallon.  This means that application rates of 10 to 30 gallons per acre are economically feasible for most crops and situations.  At such high rates of application of EM, results are achieved very quickly, and economic returns can be achieved in the first season of use. When high rates of EM are used, the farmer can reduce other inputs, such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and still get a high yield and good quality. Details on how to do this are presented in later sections of this manual.

 

EM fermented plant extract or EM-F. P. E. is a fermentation of plant material using a mixture of EM and molasses.  Either EM-1 or activated EM can be used to make EM-F. P. E. The plant material is chosen based on three criteria: a) nutrient content/availability; b) anti-oxidant content/availability; c) non-toxic nature.  The extract is created by fermenting plant material in a closed container using a 1:1:100 ratio of EM, molasses and water.  Chopped plant material is simply added to the container and soaked in the solution of EM, molasses and water, and allowed to ferment for 7 to 10 days or so.  A pH of 3.5 is ideal for the finished solution, but as long as a sweet, pickling smell is present, the material is useable.  For additional instructions on making and using EM fermented plant extracts see directions from EM America.

 

EM fermented plant extract can be used in similar fashion to compost tea.  EM fermented plant extract can combine local plant materials and transform weeds into nutrients to feed crops, for example.  Anti-oxidant rich plant materials can be added, such as garlic, nettle, and chili pepper to enrich the extract.  Always avoid toxic plant materials in making EM-F. P. E. to be on the safe side, as it is not certain that the fermentation will break down all the toxic compounds before use. EM-F. P. E. can be used in similar ways to activated EM, and, in practice, is often used alternately with activated EM and EM-5. Application rates are usually 1:500 to 1:1000.

 

EM-5 is a 1:1:1:1:6 ratio of EM-1, molasses, alcohol, vinegar and water.  It is created in similar fashion to activated EM, and is ready to use once it reaches a pH of 3.5.  Application rates are in the range of 1:500 to 1:1000. Garlic and chili juice is often added to EM-5 to enhance its anti-oxidant qualities and help repel insect pests.  For additional information on making and using EM-5 see directions from EM America.

 

EM-X

EM-X is a highly refined form of EM that is used for its anti-oxidant qualities. EM-X is an extract of a fermentation of rice bran, tropical fruits and seaweeds using EM.  This extract is used as a refreshing tonic drink for human consumption.  Farming is one of the most stressful occupations in the world.  The relaxing effects and anti-oxidant qualities of EM-X are useful to farmers to enhance their well-being and ability to function in such a stressful environment.

 

Some farmers share EM-X with their plants, pets and livestock, and report beneficial results.  The anti-oxidant qualities of EM-X can help plants, pets and livestock withstand stress too.  Because it is a concentrate, very low doses are effective.  Typically, 1:10,000 is the proper ratio of EM-X to water for most applications. In Japan, EM-X is often added to EM spray programs at the above dilution.  This appears to increase fruitfulness in such crops as greenhouse cucumbers and tomatoes.

 

EM Fermented Materials: EM Bokashi, EM Compost, EM Ceramics

EM fermented products or materials include EM Bokashi, EM Compost and EM Ceramics.  

 

EM Bokashi is a fermented compost product.  EM Bokashi (Bokashi is a Japanese word that means: “fermented material”) is usually made from various waste products such as rice hulls, rice bran, straw, manure, shellfish wastes, sawdust and the like.  The materials are usually combined and mixed together and soaked in a solution of EM and molasses.  Any form of EM liquid can be used for this purpose (except EM-X ), but usually EM-1 or activated EM is used.  Formulas for the mixture of EM and molasses vary somewhat, but either 1:1:100 or 1:1:500 is commonly used.  It is said that 1:1:100 ratio of EM, molasses and water makes “sure-fire” EM Bokashi. 

 

The mixture of EM liquid and the solid materials is such as to create a saturated mix that is about 40% moisture.  A handful of the mix will ball up, but crumbles easily when poked with a finger.  If the ball of mix exudes free liquid and remains a solid ball when poked, add more dry material to the mix to absorb the excess moisture. The key to making EM Bokashi is to ferment the mix in a closed container that excludes air.  Avoid glass because of possible gas build-up. Plastic bags, tarps, and sealable containers, even covered trenches in the earth, can be used to make EM Bokashi. Once sealed in the closed container, it usually takes 7 to 10 days, sometimes more, to make a good EM Bokashi.  When finished, the EM Bokashi will have a fermented smell, often vaguely smelling like a fine wine or similar odor.  Different materials will smell different, but the odor of good quality EM Bokashi is distinctive.  It smells good!  A spoiled batch will have a bad odor.  Don’t use spoiled Bokashi, but recycle it using 1:1:100 EM and molasses and put it in a trench in the soil to process for one month. See: Directions for EM Bokashi at EM America.

 

EM Bokashi is used in many ways.  EM Bokashi can be used as a specialty organic fertilizer to side-dress growing crops.  It can be used to make bookish balls. It can be used as a pre-plant fertilizer.  It can be used to make a compost tea.  Other uses include serving as to inoculate kitchen waste to make “kitchen-waste Bokashi”.  Actually, there is a very large recycling movement in Japan and Korea involving millions of households using this system to recycle kitchen waste into fertilizer for organic farms.

 

In the United States, EM Bokashi to make kitchen waste Bokashi has focused on institutional applications, such as to recycle lunchroom wastes from schools, nursing homes, and other institutions.  Market gardeners have also established relationships with restaurants to deliver organic produce for sale and pick up their kitchen waste to recycle into Bokashi. Gardening magazines and catalogs are now offering information and selling kits for home gardeners to learn how to make EM Bokashi and use it in their gardens. For information, see EM Bokashi Network at www.emtechnologynetwork.org.

 

EM Compost is compost made using EM to inoculate the materials to be composted.  Experience in America demonstrates that a “static pile” method with minimum turning once the pile is thoroughly inoculated with EM works best.  Windrow compost systems that are turned frequently produce inferior compost because the excess air introduced into the pile interferes with the fermentation action of EM. EM extended is recommended as the most cost-effective form of EM used to make compost.  One quart per ton of material, or 1:10,000 dilution in the water used to wet the pile is the recommended rate. Studies using EM-1, EM-5 and EM Bokashi to inoculate compost show the ability of different forms of EM to control the temperature and the outcome of the composting process. EM-1 and EM-5 make a hot compost, and are good to sterilize materials. EM-Bokashi makes cool compost, full of Actinomycetes, and is useful in making compost that will have good disease-suppressive qualities. Results of using EM in composting demonstrates odor control, reduction of flies and vermin, faster, more complete processing, and higher yields of a finer quality product.  EM compost can be used in any of the familiar ways of normal compost, but, in general, results will be superior using EM compost, particularly in farming system using other EM products, such as EM activated solution.  EM compost is another way to introduce EM into the soil to both stimulate the beneficial microorganisms already in the soil as well as to provide nutrients to the plant. Compost properly made using EM will be free of weed seeds, nematodes and other problems. See: EM Compost.

 

EM Ceramics is made by fermenting clay using EM and then firing it to make ceramic materials.  This technology was pioneered by Dr. Higa.  The resulting material has unique properties due to the nuclear magnetic resonance (nmr) of EM, which becomes fixed in the clay by this process. EM Ceramics are primarily used to purify water, and many kinds of filters and devices are made using this material.  EM ceramic powders are available which can be applied as a dust to plants and the soil.  As such, EM ceramic powder acts in similar ways to paramagnetic rock powders which are coming into prominent use in eco-farming in the United States.  EM ceramics are imported from Japan by EM America and are available in several forms.

EM Terra  Powder and EM Super C are two forms used in agriculture and available from EM America.

 

EM for Livestock/Aquaculture: EM Waste Treatment

EM can be used with tremendous benefit in livestock applications, and even in aquaculture or fish-farming.  EM can also be used to treat wastes and to wash down facilities.  The fermentation power of EM can help stop putrefaction in livestock facilities. Details of the use of EM in livestock applications are provided by EM America (see: EM Livestock Applications)

 

EM Ceramics, Filters & Other EM Devices and Products

An annual event in Okinawa, Japan is the EM Festival which is held in November each year. The latest developments in EM technology are featured at the conference which accompanies this festival, and often 10,000 people will attend these sessions.  An EM Trade Show is also held outside the conference hall, and hundreds of EM products are on display. This is a good opportunity to learn more about EM technology and its various applications in farming, industry, health care and daily use in the home. EM Ceramics, filters and other EM devices and products are well-developed in Japan.  EM technology has over 20 years of practical application in Japan, and this cutting-edge technology is just now expanding to the United States. For information and announcements about the annual EM festival in Okinawa, visit www.emro.co.jp

 

EM Grown/Processed Products: EM Cosmetics, EM Gold Tea, EM Beverages, Foods and Fibers

EM is used to grow and process many kinds of products, so many, in fact, that there are specialty stores in Japan which display and sell these products to the general public.  Food grown with EM has wonderful flavor and incredible storage life.  The taste has to be experienced to be believed. Herbal skin care products and cosmetics are made using botanical ingredients grown with EM, and sometimes EM-X is added to improve storage life and to add anti-oxidant qualities to the products. EM Gold Tea is green tea that is organically grown using EM that is enhanced by adding flecks of real gold to the final product. Other EM beverage products are available, such as juices and teas. It is truly wonderful to experience the many applications of EM and to realize what an impact EM technology can have on improving the quality of life for humans while saving the environment for future generations to enjoy. For more information on how to use EM-1, visit here.

 

 

 

General Principles of Using EM for Agricultural Applications

To dial-in the appropriate amount and form of EM for agricultural applications, one must understand the crop and farming system, and apply EM in the right form, timing, rate and frequency of application to achieve success.

 

To begin with, an understanding of the microbial classification of soil as developed by Dr. Higa is  the main starting point to dial-in the proper amount and form of EM to be used (Higa and Parr, 1995).  Dr. Higa indicates that the microbial classification of the soil is closely correlated to the farming system used on that soil.  Thus, a conventional farming system creates a disease-inducing soil and an organic farming system creates a disease-resistant soil. When one starts to use the nature farming system with EM one begins to see truly sustainable agriculture. In the early stages (first 1-3 years of EM applications), a zymogenic or nutrient-sharing soil will develop. In a mature nature farming system (3-10 years of EM applications), a nutrient synthesizing soil will develop where the soil is capable of producing enough nutrients to sustain crops without additional inputs, including EM. The goal is to create a composite soil that is a combination of disease-suppressive, zymogenic (rich in enzymes and nutrient-sharing) and nutrient-synthesizing to create a regenerative farming system using best management practices that are environmentally sound and sustainable.

.

So, the fundamental question in starting to dial-in the amount of EM is to ask how this farm is managed.  What crops are grown and what farming system and practices are used?

 

EM is most useful as a tool in the transition process where the farmer aims to move beyond the limits of the existing system.  Conventional farmers find they can use EM to help reduce other inputs, especially chemical fertilizer and pesticides. Usually, farmers can reduce the amount of chemicals used by 25% to 50% per year, and reduce chemicals to zero in three to four years.  With EM, they can do this successfully without reducing yield or quality.  A monitoring program to track fertility levels in the soil and plant, as well as to implement IPM for pest control is  necessary to perform this transition successfully. Hand-held nitrate and phosphorus meters can help track nutrient levels in leaves.  A refractometer is a hand tool to check cell-sap brix in leaves and sugar levels in fruits. When brix levels in the leaves are above a certain value, which varies from crop to crop, the plant is more resistant to insects and diseases.  By carefully monitoring plant health and improvements in soil quality, the farmer in transition can chart a course to success.  When expensive chemical inputs are reduced while maintaining yields and crop quality, farm net income will increase.  This increase in income helps to fuel the transition process.

 

During the transition period from conventional to organic, it is recommended also to use complimentary organic inputs and practices.   Cover crops, green manure crops, proper handling of crop residues, compost, compost tea, kelp, fish-products, garlic and neem, are some of the organic inputs that are compatible and complimentary to EM.  There are also many forms of EM with many different properties which can be used effectively to help the transition process.

 

Even organic farmers will find many benefits from adding EM in its many different forms into their farming system.  EM is unique among organic inputs in that it exploits the fermentation pathway of decomposition. EM prevents putrefaction from developing when organic matter decomposes in the absence of oxygen. The products of fermentation are beneficial to plant and soil life, while the products of putrefaction are toxic. Oxygen can become depleted in soils and compost piles, in ponds and livestock wastes and other situations.  EM can prevent the foul odors associated with putrefaction and ensure that the environment is protected from release of toxic substances.  Pathogenic organisms thrive in a putrefactive environment.  EM can solve many problems, even for the organic farmer. Nature farming systems resemble many existing organic farming systems, especially permaculture systems.  What is unique is the way EM helps to control putrefaction in the environment.  EM also reduces the labor involved in organic farming in many ways.

 

So, to start dialing-in the EM application program, one begins by asking what the existing farm input system is. If it is conventional with lots of chemicals, one may have a long way to go to create a mature nature farming system where the crop becomes like the climax vegetation of a forest or a prairie, and the yield or harvest corresponds with the maximum sustainable yield.  This does not mean that EM cannot benefit conventional farming systems. In fact, research shows that EM does benefit conventional farming systems by helping to increase yields and improve soil quality. However, it does mean that the benefits will be limited, especially if the farmer continues to apply biocides.  In such cases, foliar application of EM, or EM applied pre-plant or at the crop seeding stage may produce the best results.

 

The dialing-in equation is:

 

Crop

Farming System

Timing/Crop Cycle

Form of EM

Rate

Frequency of Application

 

Basically, the equation works this way: look at the crop and farming system being used to grow it and determine the operator's goals and intentions; then examine where one is at relative to the seasonal timing and stage of the crop cycle; examine also what equipment and methods to apply inputs are available. Then, determine which form of EM will be the most effective and economical to use, and the combination of those factors will suggest the best rate and frequency of application to produce the results.  In addition, it is important to keep in mind that EM is a biological tool.  As such, EM works best in the context of a holistic approach to managing the farm production system.  The status of the health of the farm can be determined quantitatively, by proper soil sampling and analysis, and the use of quantitative measurements of soil health and microbial bio‑diversity can assist the farm manager in setting performance milestones that help chart progress and results.

 

Before EM applications begin, it is very helpful to establish what the baseline conditions of the farm are to begin with.  Since the soil is the basis for production, a focus on soil quality is the starting point for establishing the baseline conditions.  It is very helpful if the farmer has been taking soil samples over a period of time and having them analyzed by a reputable laboratory. 

Since we are working with biological materials, it is helpful to start with a baseline analysis of the biological health of the soil.  A good baseline analysis is provided by BBC Laboratories and is known as the six functional groups and diversity index.  It is recommended to take soil samples before the start of EM applications and re-sample periodically to see how EM stimulates the abundance and diversity of beneficial microorganisms in the soil.  A pathogen screen may also be useful, especially if there are known issues, such as soil-borne diseases or nematodes.

 

The USDA has promoted the use of a “Soil Quality Index” to quantify the productivity of soils (Smith, Papendick and Halvorson, 1996; Papendick, Parr and Hornick, 1998; Smith and Halvorson, 1998).  The Rodale Institute favors a regenerative agriculture approach to the issue of soil quality from the point of view of the resulting health of the plant. Most eco-farming crop advisors in the U.S. use an integrated approach based on the work of Dr. William Albrecht and Dr. Carey Reams (see: Acres USA).  The idea is to use a soil analysis as a general indicator, but to rely more on the resulting nutritional status of the crop as an indicator of soil health and balance.

 

The crop being grown will help define which form of EM is economically beneficial.  High-value horticultural crops, such as vegetables, fruit or berries, can benefit from the more-expensive forms of EM, such as EM-1 and EM-5 or higher doses of EM activated. Field crops, pasture and forage crops, and fiber crops such as cotton, have limited value per acre, and corresponding lower input budgets.  For low-value crops, inexpensive forms of EM, such as EM activated, or deployment of an EM reactor may be appropriate, or very limited application of a  more costly form of EM, such as a foliar application of EM-1 or EM-5 may be appropriate.

 

Form of EM	Rate	Frequency of Application
EM-1	1:500 or 1:1000 in sprays. 1: 10,000 in hydroponics and irrigation	Every 14 to 21 days
EM-5	1:500 or 1:1000 spray	Alternate with EM-A or EM-1 and apply every 14 to 21 days
EM-Activated (EM-A)	10 to 15 gal. per acre pre-plant; 5 to 10 gal. per acre per application	Pre-plant, apply half of the amount for the season; divide the remaining amount in two and apply half at stand establishment and half at crop formation
Bokashi	0.5 lb To 2.0 lb Per 100 ft2	Apply half pre-plant and half at crop formation; can also be used at up to 5% of potting mixes.
EM Fermented Plant Extract (EM-FPE)	As per EM-A	As per EM-A
EM + Other Organic Inputs	Application rates will depend on recommended rates for the other inputs, but the amount of EM per application can be in the range of 1 to 5 gallons EM-A or EM-FPE	1 to 10 x’s or more
EM Compost	2.0 lb To 5.0 lb Per 100 ft2	Apply half pre-plant and half at crop formation; can be used up to 25% of potting mixes
EM Bokashi or Compost Tea	1:500 to 1:1000 as spray diluted in water	As a foliar spray nutrient boost every 14 to 21 days; can be combined with other EM sprays (EM-1, EM-5, EM-A, EM-FPE)
EM Super-Fermenter	As per EM-A in irrigation	As per EM-A
EM Ceramics	As per Bokashi	As per Bokashi

Crop	Farming System	Timing/Crop Cycle
Vegetables	Conventional	Pre-Plant
Tree Fruit	Organic	Planting
Vines - Grapes, Berries	Transitional	Irrigation or Cultivation or Fertilizing
Cane Fruit	Early Nature Farming	Early Growth Phase
Strawberries	Mature Nature Farming	Pre-Flowering
Field Crops – Grains	Converting Dormant Ground	Fruit/Seed Filling
Forages	Wild Crafting	Pre-maturity
Pasture	Forest Intercropping	Pre-harvest
Oil Seed	Tree Farming	Post-harvest
Fiber – Cotton	Permaculture	Residue Incorporation