BEYOND AGROFORESTRY
Using a diversity of resources
and a low tech approach to
develop sustainable enterprises on rugged land,
previously considered useless,
in a state ranked 50th in commerce
Fred Hays, Divergent Natural Interests, West Virginia
About the Speaker
Fred Hays
304-548-7117
sustainableresources@hotmail.com
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M.A. From Marshall University
Certified Holistic Management Educator
District Conservation Supervisor
SARE projects in Aquaculture & Agro-forestry
WV Ginseng Growers Association, Founder
Center for Sustainable Resources, Inc.
Divergent Natural Interests, Owner
• D.N.I. is a family farm
• 150 acres of rugged,
mountainous, terrain mostly wooded
Divergent Natural Interests
Elkview, WV
304-548-7117
Resource Base
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Great biodiversity
Over 100 species of trees
As many as 2800 different species of plants
Non-brittle environment
with consistent moisture
and water
• Rural customers
• Skills & education
Managed Resources
• Livestock are used as a
tool through grazing,
animal impact, and herd
effect.
• Vegetation is controlled
without machinery.
• Poor areas are treated with
animal impact to improve
soil biodiversity.
• Garden areas are hoofplowed in late winter
simply by concentrating
animals and feeding hay.
Living Organisms as Tools
• All of our enterprises
are based on using the
labor of living
organisms.
• For example,
mushroom production
utilizes fungal
organisms.
Solar Dollars
• Stored organic solar
resources are different
than paper dollars in
that organic currency
sustains life.
• Again, the labor in this
picture was done by
living organisms.
AQUATIC
ENTERPRISES
Fish as Tools
• Fish, like other livestock,
can be used as a tool for
altering the environment
• “Grass Carp” or White
Amurs are not only more
effective than chemicals
but also less expensive.
• Grass Carp nearly
always succeed where
chemicals almost always
fail in producing the
desired result.
Fish Production & Sales
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Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Hybrid Bluegill
Channel Catfish
Goldfish
Koi Carp
Grass Carp
Grown in pond culture in ten ponds on the farm.
Game Fish
Ornamental Fish
Pond Stocking
& Consultation
Aquatic Plants
Grass Carp &
Pond Management
A large part of the
aquatic business has
become consultation
for managing aquatic
vegetation through
natural methods.
AGROFORESTRY
ENTERPRISES
Forest Organisms as Tools
• High quality
hardwood
production can be
increased as much
as ten fold if
organisms and the
solar regime are
manipulated
correctly.
High Quality Trees
Potential crop
trees are chosen
and released for
accelerated
growth.
Culls are removed and
grape vines are kept
from reaching canopies.
Wood Products
Culled trees are used for lumber or firewood.
Shiitake Mushrooms
• Shiitake mushrooms were
grown on the farm utilizing
our abundance of oak logs.
• The mushroom logs still
produce but crops are no
longer marketed as they
failed testing guidelines.
Under-Canopy Crops
Woodland Herbs
on this farm are in
great diversity
because crops are
naturally produced
yet manipulated for
favor.
Other Woodland Crops
• Dozens of medicinal
plants are readily
marketed from
our forest.
• Black Cohosh is
growing in value.
Ginseng
Ginseng,
the most valuable
crop on the farm,
is carefully monitored
and managed.
WILD PRODUCTS
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Wild Berries,
Mushrooms,
Wild Game, &
Nuts, etc. are all
part of our
“whole.”
Wildlife as a Tool
Smooth Chanterelles
Oyster Mushrooms
Chicken of the Woods
Wild Roots
Wild Game
OTHER ENTERPRISES
Livestock were
meant to eat
vegetation-not just
grass. We take
advantage of
animal impact to
improve the land.
Cattle as Tools
Another Tool
Natural Beef
Healthy Land & Healthy Livestock
Custom Knives
Trade Shows
Other Living Organisms at Work
And One Not at Work
OUTREACH
• Center for Sustainable
Resources, Inc. nonprofit that hosts field
days & training events.
• West Virginia Ginseng
Growers Association developed legislation to
protect this emerging
industry.
Fox News
Traveling West Virginia
The Travel Channel
Cash & Treasures
Ginseng Seed
Bulk Purchase Program
WVGGA
Seed available at
discounted prices
Resource Management
Consultation
For more info:
Fish & Pond Stocking
Agro-forestry Products
WVGGA Ginseng Seed
Natural Beef
Custom Knives
Resources Management Consultation
Fred Hays
(304) 548-7117
sustainableresources@hotmail.com
“Diversity is key.”