60 http://www.prwebpodcast.com A Top 30 Stream of Holistic Management Intl. Press Releases (in MP3 format) via PRWeb podEditor@emediawire.com (PRWeb) podMaster@emediawire.com Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:04:21 -0700 Holistic Management Intl. http://www.prweb.com/prwebrss.gif 130 49 http://prwebpodcast.com Copyright PRWeb International, Inc. en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss A Top 30 Stream of Holistic Management Intl. Press Releases (in MP3 format) via PRWeb A Top 30 Stream of Holistic Management Intl. Press Releases (in MP3 format) via PRWeb podEditor@emediawire.com PR Web PRWeb no http://www.prweb.com/releases/Holistic_Management/Grassland_Plants/prweb507753.htm http://www.prweb.com/releases/Holistic_Management/Grassland_Plants/prweb507753.htm According to Holistic Management International COO Peter Holter, if we want to produce significant amounts of biofuels from grassland that will really make a difference for the environment and global warming, then we will have to find a way to produce healthy grasslands on a vast scale. [PRWeb Feb 27, 2007] http://www.prweb.com/releases/Holistic_Management/Grassland_Plants/prweb507753.htm Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:44:40 -0800 podcrew@extrahoop.com Holistic Management International COO Peter Holter, if we want to produce significant amounts of biofuels from grassland that will really make a difference for the environment and global warming, then we will have to find a way to produce healthy grasslands on a vast scale. “Only about one percent of the original grasslands ecosystem remains because it has been converted to agriculture, or is degraded and abandoned.” Holter points out that in the 19th century, grassland covered almost 40% of North America and sustained millions of grazing bison, pronghorns and elk - and the predators that fed on them. “The original grasslands were healthy because of the symbiotic and holistic relationship between the land and the animals. The presence of predators kept the grazing animals on the move; and their hoof action worked the soil so that their manure was quickly absorbed. These actions increased the soil's organic matter, thereby fertilizing it and making it healthier.” If we want to restore the grasslands to health, “we simply can't plant grass seeds and harvest them,” Holter asserts. “The process required to grow these grasses would eventually result in the same consumptive, mechanical and chemical-laden approach now used to produce corn for ethanol.” Instead, he says, we have to be willing to: 1. Free up the vast acreage we will need. 2. Grow the grass with the animals present. 3. Manage animal grazing in a way that “replicates the behavior of those wild grazers of yesteryear.” 4. Leave sufficient forage for the animals after harvesting the grasses for energy production. 5. Permit enough time for the roots of the plants in the harvested and grazed areas to rest and recover. “If we could restore the grasslands,” says Holter, “we could produce new biofuels, sequester huge amounts of carbon, increase water resources, improve wildlife habitats, reduce livestock-produced methane, and improve our rural economies.” Contact: Peter Holter, HMI 505-842-5252 http://holisticmanagement.org/ # # #]]> Peter Holter Holistic Management International Reacts to Grassland Plants Research Results from University of Minnesota Holistic Management International COO Peter Holter, if we want to produce significant amounts of biofuels from grassland that will really make a difference for the environment and global warming, then we will have to find a way to produce healthy grasslands on a vast scale. “Only about one percent of the original grasslands ecosystem remains because it has been converted to agriculture, or is degraded and abandoned.” Holter points out that in the 19th century, grassland covered almost 40% of North America and sustained millions of grazing bison, pronghorns and elk - and the predators that fed on them. “The original grasslands were healthy because of the symbiotic and holistic relationship between the land and the animals. The presence of predators kept the grazing animals on the move; and their hoof action worked the soil so that their manure was quickly absorbed. These actions increased the soil's organic matter, thereby fertilizing it and making it healthier.” If we want to restore the grasslands to health, “we simply can't plant grass seeds and harvest them,” Holter asserts. “The process required to grow these grasses would eventually result in the same consumptive, mechanical and chemical-laden approach now used to produce corn for ethanol.” Instead, he says, we have to be willing to: 1. Free up the vast acreage we will need. 2. Grow the grass with the animals present. 3. Manage animal grazing in a way that “replicates the behavior of those wild grazers of yesteryear.” 4. Leave sufficient forage for the animals after harvesting the grasses for energy production. 5. Permit enough time for the roots of the plants in the harvested and grazed areas to rest and recover. “If we could restore the grasslands,” says Holter, “we could produce new biofuels, sequester huge amounts of carbon, increase water resources, improve wildlife habitats, reduce livestock-produced methane, and improve our rural economies.” Contact: Peter Holter, HMI 505-842-5252 http://holisticmanagement.org/ # # #]]> 00:15:00 no http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/1/prweb494060.htm http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/1/prweb494060.htm The organic food business (especially dairy) is facing real challenges as it sheds its niche status and goes "mass market." There are concerns about having enough acreage to sustain increased production and possible pollution from animal waste. However, there are also solutions to these challenges, as Holistic Management International's COO Peter Holter explains. [PRWeb Jan 2, 2007] http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/1/prweb494060.htm Tue, 2 Jan 2007 14:59:00 -0800 podcrew@extrahoop.com Peter Holter Organic Food Producers Face Challenges Going "Mass Market"; Holistic Management International Offers Solutions 00:15:00 no http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/9/prweb442066.htm http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/9/prweb442066.htm Drought and floods are not two different issues, but ‘two sides of the same coin,’” according to Shannon Horst, executive director of Holistic Management International, the New Mexico-based non-profit that works with farmers and ranchers worldwide to create healthy land and healthy profits. It’s the result of how we’ve built our cities and managed our water and our land. [PRWeb Sep 26, 2006] http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/9/prweb442066.htm Wed, 27 Sep 2006 13:23:59 -0700 podcrew@extrahoop.com http://www.holisticmanagement.org), the New Mexico-based non-profit that works with farmers and ranchers worldwide to create healthy land and healthy profits. “It’s the result of how we’ve built our cities and managed our water and our land.” Horst points out that we have covered most of our urban areas in concrete and asphalt, and our urban land-management practices have left us with thousands of acres of bare soil. The bulk of any rainwater that falls -- up to 83% -- will either evaporate quickly off concrete surfaces or simply run off -- taking the soil with it and often resulting in flooding. “We also know that bare land without topsoil is far less able to withstand the affects of drought,” Horst adds. “We can improve land health to survive drought and prevent flooding,” Horst notes, “but to do so, we must recapture a large portion of the water we’re losing to runoff and get it to soak into the soil and seep into underground aquifers. This requires actions and financial investments that few people are talking about today.” She suggests that specific steps individuals and organizations can take include keeping soils covered with biological material; landscaping with native plants (or even with rocks and gravel, which help soils retain water), and working with public officials to create new policies that: 1. Provide incentives to and educate homeowners about the value of planting vegetation. 2. Educate and assist owners and managers of large landscapes (ranchers, farmers, developers, government agencies and the military) to keep the soils covered. 3. Require porous roads, roofs that “breathe” and homes with cisterns. 4. Require new developments to be “clustered,” leaving large areas of open space and parks that are high in biodiversity. “Most of the technologies, designs and tools needed to take these important steps are readily available,” Horst says. “All we need is the political will to use them.” # # #]]> Shannon Horst Drought and Floods: Two Sides of the Same Coin? http://www.holisticmanagement.org), the New Mexico-based non-profit that works with farmers and ranchers worldwide to create healthy land and healthy profits. “It’s the result of how we’ve built our cities and managed our water and our land.” Horst points out that we have covered most of our urban areas in concrete and asphalt, and our urban land-management practices have left us with thousands of acres of bare soil. The bulk of any rainwater that falls -- up to 83% -- will either evaporate quickly off concrete surfaces or simply run off -- taking the soil with it and often resulting in flooding. “We also know that bare land without topsoil is far less able to withstand the affects of drought,” Horst adds. “We can improve land health to survive drought and prevent flooding,” Horst notes, “but to do so, we must recapture a large portion of the water we’re losing to runoff and get it to soak into the soil and seep into underground aquifers. This requires actions and financial investments that few people are talking about today.” She suggests that specific steps individuals and organizations can take include keeping soils covered with biological material; landscaping with native plants (or even with rocks and gravel, which help soils retain water), and working with public officials to create new policies that: 1. Provide incentives to and educate homeowners about the value of planting vegetation. 2. Educate and assist owners and managers of large landscapes (ranchers, farmers, developers, government agencies and the military) to keep the soils covered. 3. Require porous roads, roofs that “breathe” and homes with cisterns. 4. Require new developments to be “clustered,” leaving large areas of open space and parks that are high in biodiversity. “Most of the technologies, designs and tools needed to take these important steps are readily available,” Horst says. “All we need is the political will to use them.” # # #]]> 00:15:00 no