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Valley Herbs and Health
By Art Nadler
Brent Hauver used to be regional sales director for a
major computer company in Kansas City, Mo., but when he
came down with chronic fatigue syndrome - an illness that
left him drained of energy -- he decided to abandon the
corporate world for the healthier rural lifestyle of Overton,
NV.
In 1999, Hauver plowed a half-acre behind his log cabin
home and planted vegetables - peppers, tomatoes, lettuce,
cucumbers, etc. But unlike traditional farmers, he opted
to not use fertilizers and pesticides. Instead, Hauver
started a compost pile at one end of his garden. There
he put tree leaves, grass trimmings and fruit and vegetable
cores from food his family ate.
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Within no time, Hauver noticed that earthworms
were congregating inside the compost pile. They ate the
decaying refuse and created what is known as "black
gold," a very nutrient rich natural fertilizer also
referred to as earthworm castings.
Hauver used this organic mixture, along with seaweed
and fish emulsions as fertilizers on his vegetables and
fruits. The food grew stronger, tasted better and was
healthier because it contained no pesticides or chemicals.
Within a short period after eating the organic food, Hauver
also noticed that he felt better. His chronic fatigue
had disappeared. Convinced that there was a market for
organic produce in Nevada, Hauver and two other businessmen
- Bill Leavitt and Robert Takhtalian - formed Valley Herbs
and Health. The three partners are currently developing
25 acres of land that Leavitt owns into a farm to produce
organic fruits and vegetables.
"This garden could feed 50 families," Hauver
says while peering out over his small garden. "The
one on 25 acres will feed thousands." Hauver says
he never has to worry about bugs in his organic garden
because insects only attack unhealthy plants. He says
vegetables and fruits are always healthy because he doesn't
use pesticides that rob the soil of nutrients. Farmers
today don't grow crops organically because the yield isn't
as great as with chemically treated fertilizers and pesticides,
Hauver explains. With the majority of fruits and vegetables
being chemically grown, the end result is that the earth
becomes worn out and void of microorganisms that promote
healthy food, Hauver says.
"This high-energy farming works with our society."
Hauver says. "It's fast and quick, but the food isn't
very healthy. It takes more patience and more work with
organic farming, and it's healthier." Hauver estimates
that the 25 acres in Overton will be in full production
within two to three years. He says with one crop alone,
the farm will be able to produce about 4,600 pounds of
tomatoes from 2,300 plants.
"We want people to get out of the city and come
out to a real old-style farm and taste something they
can't taste in a grocery store," Hauver says. "People
don't know how to farm in the desert. We want to show
them what can be done."
For more information, contact: Valley Herbs and Health,
155 W. Thomas,Overton, NV 89404 Phone (702) 397-8632.
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