1. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
A visit to FULL CIRCLE FARM Boone County, Iowa Operated by Nan Bonfils, Don Adams, and Harold Adams
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

2. Full Circle Farm as a Sustainable Agro-ecosystem
The farmers work with nature by:
Capturing as much solar energy as possible while reducing the use of fossil fuels
Retaining and recycling nutrients on the farm and using few purchased inputs
Preserving and restoring natural habitats to protect water quality and support wildlife
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

3. Full Circle Farm as a Sustainable Local Food System
They are economically profitable and support the community by:
Raising value-added products such as forage fed beef, free-range eggs, and organic vegetables
Processing products locally
Marketing directly to consumers and returning wastes to the farm for composting
Providing education and recreation opportunities
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

4. Full Circle Farm’s Grazing & Grass-based Farming
Ruminant animals (cows, sheep) transform the “free” solar energy captured in grass into high value meat products.
Grass pastures hold the soil in place to prevent erosion and also add diversity to the farm.
Grass pastures cover and hold the soil year-round. They contain a mix of plants, adding biological diversity to the farm.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

5. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Grass captures solar energy.
Cattle then consume the grass, fertilize the pasture with manure, recycling plant nutrients.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

6. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Corn and
sorghum
are grown
together
in a mix
without
chemical
fertilizers or
pesticides.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

7. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
The use of movable
electric fence allows
cattle to strip-graze the
crop while it is still
in the field. This saves
the fuel and labor of
mechanical harvest.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

8. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Even in winter
when grass is
not growing,
cows deposit
manure to
fertilize fields
and pastures.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

9. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Steers are
processed at
the local
locker and marketed
directly in the
community.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

10. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Clun Forest sheep,
a hardy breed,
grow well on
forage, and
are processed
and sold locally.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

11. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Eggs from
Red Star hens
that are fed
organically-grown
grain from the
farm provide
a year-round
product.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

12. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Free-range eggs
are popular with
customers who
like that the hens
are not raised in
crowded cages
or fed
antibiotics.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

13. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Food scraps from
a nearby camp are
brought to the farm
and composted.
The farm recovers
the food waste
nutrients, returning
them to the fields.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

14. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Turning compost adds oxygen from the air to help bacteria decompose materials and cycle nutrients.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

15. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Vegetables are
grown with organic methods
to provide
local customers
with fresh,
farm-ripened
produce.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

16. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Vegetables are
sold through
Full Circle
Farm’s CSA,
and to grocery
stores and
restaurants
in the area.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

17. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Prairie plantings
provide wildlife
habitat.
These warm season
prairie grasses are
grazed by cattle
in the heat of summer.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

18. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Woodlands
protect
water quality,
and provide
wildlife habitat
and firewood to
cut and sell to
nearby campers.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

19. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
The farm pond
is managed for
fishing and
recreation.
Water is used
to irrigate
vegetable crops
and water
livestock.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

20. Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Full Circle
Farm
is visited by
many people
for educational
field tours and
community
picnics.
September 18
Towards a Sustainable Agriculture