Production agriculture, like an ecosysystem! Plant species working together to increase economic wealth through growing ecological health. More at www.regenerativedesigngroup.com and www.apiosinstitute.org

1. Uncommon Fruit Ecosystems
Ethan C. Roland
Regenerative
Design Group
Apios Institute
for Regenerative Perennial Agriculture
www.apiosinstitute.org
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

2. Uncommon Fruit
Ecosystems
• Goal
• Why?
• How?
• Where?
• Next Steps
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

3. Goal:
Work Less, Produce More
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

4. Why?
1. Rising Fuel Prices - Peak Oil
2. Climate Chaos
3. Economic Crisis
4. Time for Family & Community
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

5. How:
Work with nature, not against
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

6. Kazakhstan
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

7. Kazakhstan
• Tian-Shan Mountains
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

8. Kazakhstan
• Tian-Shan Mountains
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

9. Kazakhstan
• Tian-Shan Mountains
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

10. Kazakhstan
• Tian-Shan Mountains
• Similar climate, temperate forests…
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

11. Kazakhstan: Zailisky Alatau
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

12. Ancient Trees
60-70ft tall
80-100 years old
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

13. Ancient Trees
60-70ft tall
80-100 years old
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

14. Tree Size
Wild Kazakh tree
60-70ft
US Orchard
Apple Tree
12-15ft
Ethan
5’10”
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

15. The Wild Apple Forest
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

16. EMAL27
EMAL27
1616m
N43.22.11’
E77.40.38’
53mm avg.
diameter
Amazing
Lemon-
Candy
Flavor
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

17. EMAL25
EMAL25
1619m
N43.22.11’
E77.40.36’
49mm avg.
diameter
Bitter-Sweet.
Wild red-
flesh variety.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

18. EMAL25
EMAL25
1619m
N43.22.11’
E77.40.36’
49mm avg.
diameter
Bitter-Sweet.
Wild red-
flesh variety.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

19. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

20. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

21. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
• Apricots,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

22. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
• Apricots,
• Cherries,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

23. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
• Apricots,
• Cherries,
• Plums,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

24. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
• Apricots,
• Cherries,
• Plums,
• Walnuts,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

25. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
• Apricots,
• Cherries,
• Plums,
• Walnuts,
• Almonds,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

26. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
• Apricots,
• Cherries,
• Plums,
• Walnuts,
• Almonds,
• Pistachios,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

27. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
• Apricots,
• Cherries,
• Plums,
• Walnuts,
• Almonds,
• Pistachios,
• Mulberries,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

28. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
• Apricots,
• Cherries,
• Plums,
• Walnuts,
• Almonds,
• Pistachios,
• Mulberries,
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

29. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
• Rosehips,
• Apricots,
• Cherries,
• Plums,
• Walnuts,
• Almonds,
• Pistachios,
• Mulberries,
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

30. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
• Rosehips,
• Apricots,
• Raspberries,
• Cherries,
• Plums,
• Walnuts,
• Almonds,
• Pistachios,
• Mulberries,
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

31. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
• Rosehips,
• Apricots,
• Raspberries,
• Cherries,
• Barberries,
• Plums,
• Walnuts,
• Almonds,
• Pistachios,
• Mulberries,
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

32. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots,
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries,
Barberries,
•
• Plums,
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts,
• Almonds,
• Pistachios,
• Mulberries,
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

33. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots,
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries,
Barberries,
•
• Plums,
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts,
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds,
• Pistachios,
• Mulberries,
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

34. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots,
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries,
Barberries,
•
• Plums,
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts,
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds,
Silverberries,
•
• Pistachios,
• Mulberries,
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

35. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots,
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries,
Barberries,
•
• Plums,
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts,
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds,
Silverberries,
•
• Pistachios,
Seaberries,
•
• Mulberries,
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

36. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears,
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots,
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries,
Barberries,
•
• Plums,
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts,
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds,
Silverberries,
•
• Pistachios,
Seaberries,
•
• Mulberries,
Gooseberries,
•
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

37. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears, • Grapes,
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots,
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries,
Barberries,
•
• Plums,
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts,
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds,
Silverberries,
•
• Pistachios,
Seaberries,
•
• Mulberries,
Gooseberries,
•
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

38. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears, • Grapes,
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots, • Currants,
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries,
Barberries,
•
• Plums,
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts,
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds,
Silverberries,
•
• Pistachios,
Seaberries,
•
• Mulberries,
Gooseberries,
•
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

39. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears, • Grapes,
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots, • Currants,
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries, • Hops,
Barberries,
•
• Plums,
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts,
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds,
Silverberries,
•
• Pistachios,
Seaberries,
•
• Mulberries,
Gooseberries,
•
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

40. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears, Grapes,
•
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots, Currants,
•
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries, Hops,
•
Barberries,
•
• Plums, Onions,
•
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts,
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds,
Silverberries,
•
• Pistachios,
Seaberries,
•
• Mulberries,
Gooseberries,
•
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

41. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears, Grapes,
•
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots, Currants,
•
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries, Hops,
•
Barberries,
•
• Plums, Onions,
•
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts, Cannabis,
•
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds,
Silverberries,
•
• Pistachios,
Seaberries,
•
• Mulberries,
Gooseberries,
•
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

42. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears, Grapes,
•
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots, Currants,
•
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries, Hops,
•
Barberries,
•
• Plums, Onions,
•
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts, Cannabis,
•
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds, Sorrels,
•
Silverberries,
•
• Pistachios,
Seaberries,
•
• Mulberries,
Gooseberries,
•
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

43. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears, Grapes,
•
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots, Currants,
•
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries, Hops,
•
Barberries,
•
• Plums, Onions,
•
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts, Cannabis,
•
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds, Sorrels,
•
Silverberries,
•
• Pistachios, Umbels,
•
Seaberries,
•
• Mulberries,
Gooseberries,
•
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

44. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears, Grapes,
•
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots, Currants,
•
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries, Hops,
•
Barberries,
•
• Plums, Onions,
•
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts, Cannabis,
•
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds, Sorrels,
•
Silverberries,
•
• Pistachios, Umbels,
•
Seaberries,
•
• Mulberries, Rhubarbs,
•
Gooseberries,
•
• Hawthornes,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

45. What Else Grows in the Wild
Apple Forests…?
• Pears, Grapes,
•
Rosehips,
•
• Apricots, Currants,
•
Raspberries,
•
• Cherries, Hops,
•
Barberries,
•
• Plums, Onions,
•
Bilberries,
•
• Walnuts, Cannabis,
•
Elderberries,
•
• Almonds, Sorrels,
•
Silverberries, •
•
• Pistachios, Umbels,
Seaberries,
•
• Mulberries, Rhubarbs,
•
Gooseberries,
•
• Hawthornes, and more…
•
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

46. Lessons from Kazakhstan
Work with nature, not against
14
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

47. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not plant monocultures
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

48. • Nature does not plant monocultures
Monoculture Mind
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

49. • Nature does not plant monocultures
Monoculture Mind
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

50. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not plant monocultures
Use DIVERSITY
• Plant as many uncommon fruits as possible given
economic and management constraints.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

51. Use DIVERSITY
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

52. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not use synthetic fertilizers
Create Self-Fertilizing Ecologies
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

53. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not use synthetic fertilizers
Create Self-Fertilizing Ecologies
• Four plants to fix Nitrogen:
– Clover, Groundnut, Licorice, Trefoil
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

54. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not use synthetic fertilizers
Create Self-Fertilizing Ecologies
• Four plants to fix Nitrogen:
– Clover, Groundnut, Licorice, Trefoil
• Four plants to fix P, K, Ca, Fe, Mg
– Comfrey, Sorrel, Chives, Chicory
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

55. Self-Fertilizing Ecology
Christchurch, New Zealand
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

56. Self-Fertilizing
• Comfrey,
Chickory,
Cow Parsley,
Fennel,
Clover
Christchurch, New Zealand
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

57. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not spray against pests and diseases
Select species & varieties
for disease resistance
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

58. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not spray against pests and diseases
Increase beneficial insect habitat
• Four plants for insects:
– Yarrow, Sweet Cicely, Anise Hyssop, Red Clover
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

59. Work with nature, not against
• Nature does not spray against pests and diseases
Use aromatic pest confusers
• Four plants to confuse pests:
– Mints, Horseradish, Bee balm, any Allium
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

60. Work with nature, not against
Don’t plant plants.
Plant ecosystems!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

61. Plant Ecosystems
Strawberry, Asparagus, Groundnut
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

62. Production-Scale
Sheet-mulching for establishment
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

63. Chive, sorrel, anise hyssop, and chicory starts
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

64. TBD understory
1 season later
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

65. Plant Ecosystems
Pawpaw
Asian Pear
Elderberry
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

66. Uncommon Economics
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

67. Uncommon Economics
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

68. Our Services
• Uncommon Fruit Ecosystems
• Economics + Business Planning
• Perennial Vegetables
• Whole Farm Design
www.regenerativedesigngroup.com
Tuesday, March 3, 2009