#earthhacks For decades, Rand Faaborg and his family were embedded in the traditional pig farming industry in the US state of Iowa. With two barns constructed in 1991 and thousands of pigs raised, the Faaborg family had invested heavily in an operation becoming less profitable and increasingly exhausting over the years. By 2020, the returns had dwindled significantly, pushing the Faaborgs to rethink their livelihood. So was born the 1100 Farm! and medicinal mushroom cultivation.
Source: 1100 Farm - The run off pond turned into a pristine pond.
In a transformative shift, the Faaborgs decided to move from pig farming to medicinal mushroom cultivation - reishi and lions mane - a change spurred by environmental concerns and a desire for a more sustainable and profitable agricultural practice. The transition was supported by the Transfarmation Project, a US nonprofit initiative aimed at helping farmers move away from industrial animal agriculture towards more sustainable and ethical crop production.
Source: 110Farm - Instagram - Tanner Faaborg, Environmentalist and the brains behind the project, holding Reishi mushrooms
The Faaborg farm is now a bustling site of vertically integrated ecological restoration. The last batch of pigs left in the US autumn of 2022, making room for the cultivation of medicinal mushrooms and specialty varieties such as reishi and lion's mane. These mushrooms are not only grown for their health benefits but also for culinary use, being incorporated into products like coffee blends and gourmet salts.
Source: 1100 Farm - Medicinal tinctures produced by the Faaborgs farmed mushrooms
This green overhaul extends beyond mushroom farming. The family has undertaken significant land restoration efforts, including planting native trees and establishing pollinator-friendly fields. Even the remnants of the pig farming days, such as the faecal-choked creek and a lagoon once holding a million gallons of pig waste, has been rehabilitated and transformed into vibrant ecosystem supporting local flora and fauna.
Tanner Faaborg, Rand's second-oldest son, is at the forefront of these changes. Having returned to the farm after years of environmental advocacy, Tanner envisions the farm as a model for sustainable agriculture in the US Midwest. He aims to demonstrate farming can be both profitable and environmentally friendly, hoping to inspire a resurgence in rural community development and sustainability.
Source: ID 150217515 © Karin De Mamiel - Reishi mushrooms growing
The Faaborgs' inspirational venture into mushroom farming represents a bold and necessary step towards sustainable agriculture. It reflects a growing trend among farmers who are seeking diversification alternatives to traditional animal agriculture, and driven by environmental concerns and a pursuit of a healthier, more sustainable way of living. This initiative not only transforms the landscape of their Iowa farm but also sets a precedent for future global agricultural practices so heavily reliant on industrial animal farming.
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