As I use it the term regarding soil and plant life I am talking about having a mix of perennially and annually cultivated crops, a balance between letting things grow and controlling them by various methods. My quantitative determination is based on what I get in return for inputs of water and ferts as compared to what is required in more conventional arrangements that I use. What I have found is that the system that I allow to 'balance' requires very little input other than labor. The other systems require much water and N as well as mechanical and human activity. Of course balanced systems will have deficits based on their natural conditions. Mine has droughty soil and so certain crops produce poorly. In better conditions a balanced system as I am describing it could be very productive indeed.

I have a question and maybe someone has an answer. I try to be environmentally friendly. I recycle nearly everything. I buy 'green' when it is an available option. But I do use plastic bags and I personally recycle nearly every one of them as doggie pooper picker uppers! Does anyone have an alternative option if I stop using plastic bags? I won't leave it lying in other peoples yards or on the street. What can I use instead?

loves2cook, I'm far from self sufficient as far as food goes. I still buy cheese, butter, milk, but I get them from a locally owned hormone and antibiotic free certified dairy. I do buy some imported produce, although I try to buy what's closest in terms of having it shipped because the quality is so much better. I made some mango/lime sorbet for Easter dessert and neither of those things are grown anywhere near here, although I did use Pioneer sugar from here in Michigan. I refuse to buy store tomatoes anymore since reading the latest article in Gourmet (or was it Bon Appetit?) about the slave labor used in the tomato industry. However, if I only bought what was grown locally I'd never have a salad from September to May unless I build myself a greenhouse. Hmmmm.......anyway, I digress. I don't grow dried beans or lentils, they are too labor intensive for the crop I get. I haven't yet grown my own grains for grinding into flour and nearly all my mustard comes from Canada (thanks, Chase!). However, I dn't expect the government to keep me safe and I don't believe in better living through chemicals. I do what it's possible for me to do, take a little extra time and effort, and I have a lot more control over what I'm eating and what I'm feeding to my grandkids. Lou, don't worry about having the thread pulled, I don't think anyone minds at all. That's why we all jumped in on this. As for China, if I pick anything up on the shelf, from a bowl to a bottle of honey, and look at the label and it's from China, I put it back. I've saved a lot of money and found that I don't really need a lot of the things I've considered buying! So, in the end, that's a good thing. (grin) Annie

Johnny, That sounds like a winning game plan to me. That $35.00 per acre is so totally worth it! PEPH peas are one of my most favorite veggies on earth. The plants are so pretty that you can plant them in a flower bed. I'm having a hard time picturing that much seed at one time. Can you imagine what it would take to harvest an acre by hand? I don't even want to think about it. Keep up the great work. You are touching so many lives in the most wonderful way. Dawn