McGhee family offers sustainable farming practices | Siloam Springs Herald-Leader

Randy and Darla McGhee: Sustainable Farming for Personal Use

Randy and Darla McGhee have been lifelong farmers who have now adopted sustainable farming practices to cultivate their crops.

Implementing Aquaponics and Hydroponics

The McGhees, residing at 13714 N. Highway 59 in Summers, have been farming for six years using aquaponics and hydroponics techniques. They grow a variety of vegetables such as garlic, broccoli, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Personal Use and Sharing with Others

The McGhees do not sell their vegetables but farm them for personal consumption to offset grocery costs. Additionally, they generously share their produce with neighbors and friends.

Adapting to Age with Raised Beds

Due to their age, the McGhees utilize raised beds, which are containers elevated to a convenient height for farming without the need to stoop down.

Utilizing Hydroponics and Aquaponics in the Greenhouse

The McGhees have a greenhouse where they employ hydroponics and aquaponics to cultivate various vegetables. Hydroponics involves growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution instead of soil, while aquaponics combines aquaculture and hydroponics into one system.

Sustainable Farming Practices

Aquaculture, which is the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of aquatic organisms under controlled conditions, is considered a sustainable farming practice that supports the U.S. agricultural economy by creating job opportunities.

Conserving Water Resources

Due to the high cost of water, Randy McGhee collects water from roofs and gutters for farming purposes. When their supply runs out, they obtain water from the Lincoln City Water Department.

Bale Gardening

The McGhees also practice bale gardening, a method that involves planting seeds in bales of hay along with fertilizer and water. Over time, the bales break down and serve as mulch. This technique allows them to grow pumpkins, tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. However, potatoes and okra are the only vegetables they grow in the ground.

Seasonal Planting

Knowing the appropriate season for planting specific vegetables is crucial for successful farming. For example, garlic, broccoli, and cabbage are best planted in the fall, while onions should be planted by the end of February. Warm-weather plants like tomatoes and peppers thrive in hotter climates.

Addressing Pest Issues

The McGhees have encountered bug problems in their squash crops. To mitigate this issue, they plant squash in their greenhouses and cover the crop during colder periods.

Recommended Products for Greenhouse Farming

Darla McGhee suggests using a master blend consisting of Epsom salt, fertilizer, and potassium when planting in a greenhouse. Compost is also an effective product for greenhouse farming.

Diversification with Chickens

Darla McGhee recommends diversifying farming practices by raising chickens. Chickens can consume leftover scraps from the garden and provide manure for fertilization.

Marc Hayot/Herald-Leader Darla McGhee waters some vegetables on April 5. The McGhees grow multiple vegetables and plants on their farm and have been known to give away excess.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
• SDG 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
• SDG 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
• SDG 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
• SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 2.4: Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices such as aquaponics, hydroponics, and bale gardening.
• Indicator for SDG 6.4: Water collection from roofs and gutters for farming purposes.
• Indicator for SDG 8.3: Use of farming techniques to offset grocery costs and provide food for personal use, as well as sharing with neighbors and friends.
• Indicator for SDG 12.3: Reduction of food waste through responsible consumption and production practices.
• Indicator for SDG 13.3: Implementation of climate-resilient farming methods.
• Indicator for SDG 15.1: Conservation and sustainable use of land through raised beds and bale gardening techniques.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: hl.nwaonline.com

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.