Who knew that New Mexico is home to a "veganic" farmer? One of a handful in the United States, Don Bustos, a farmer in Northern New Mexico’s Espanola Valley, says he went organic about 15 years ago. And now he’s also gone "veganic," or "stock-free." In other words, he’s eliminated animal products from his farming–like animal manure–one of the most commonly used fertilizers. Bustos says he uses "green manure," which is basically composted plant matter, to fertilize his crops.



An AP report today highlighted Bustos and this type of farming:

Bustos, 51, was inspired to pursue veganic farming four years ago after listening to then-U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns speak.

 

"He was talking about ways to protect the safety of our food system, but to me you still have things like e-coli and salmonella from manure (fertilizer)," Bustos said. "Now, I use no manures, no bone meals, blood meal, no pesticides, nothing."



The article also explains why more and more people are becoming interested in veganic farm produce:

Khosla [a featured veganic farmer from New York] said the primary source of nutrients on many organic farms in the country comes from manure from confined animal operations, or what he calls "factory farms."

 

"You think you are getting these clean happy vegetables, but more often than not they’re grown in waste from factory farms," he said. "The animals … were fed non-organic feed laced with hormones and antibiotics. Those products bio-accumulate in the animals and it’s present in their waste as well."



While the farmers attribute salmonella and e-coli to animal by-products used in vegetable production, the AP report quotes academics saying it’s only one source of these infections, and that animal manure is a tried and true fertilizer thats good for the environment:

Though misapplied animal manure can cause crop contamination, it is no more common than other possible ways for salmonella or e-coli to appear in the food supply, said Billy Dictson, director of the Office of Biosecurity for the Southwest Border Food Safety and Defense Center.

 

"Contamination can happen anywhere, from the field to transportation to field workers to people that come in contact (with produce)," Dictson said.


Walter Goldstein, research director for the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy, Wis., said animal manure has proven quality benefits when growing crops. He said ruminant manure lasts longer in the soil and releases less carbon back into the air than green manure.

 

"The optimal farm is where livestock are integrated into the land, not separated from it," Goldstein said.



Well, who knows what the culprit is of the mass contamination lately of some my favorite produce, but this 20-year vegetarian is wondering where she can pick up some of Don Bustos’ produce. Anyone?