About organic farm
Our intention was and still is to fulfil the meaning of the idea of Country Life: to grow, process and feed naturally - and share all of this with others.
Eco-farm is located in the village Nenačovice in the Beroun region. The current area of the farm is 56.23 ha. Of these, 54.57 ha of arable land, 2.66 ha of a vegetable garden, 3.42 ha of orchards, 4.55 ha of meadow and 2.3 ha of other lands. We grow cereals, several dozen vegetables and fruit - all in organic quality. We thoroughly respect the conditions of organic farming laws. We aim to use the minimum amount of means, even those allowed in organic farming. We would like to offer you organic crops that have been grown as naturally as possible.
The way we grow
Obviously, we grow naturally in accordance with the rules governing organic farming. Besides, we apply some additional rules and principles in cultivation.
When growing in the field, we use machinery and other equipment. Nevertheless, our vegetables are grown and tilled solely by hand.
Soil fertility in the fields is mainly provided by green fertilisation and crop rotation. When growing vegetables, we use compost to increase the proportion of organic in the soil and to support soil edaphon. We do not have any major problems with pests as we use white non-woven fabric against flea beetles. Weed plants in vegetables are removed by hand and by hoe. A black non-woven fabric is used to speed up the growth of vegetables, to preserve soil moisture, to protect the soil from sunlight, and to prevent weed growth.
Our other aim is to make our organic garden look nice. For various useful insects, we grow flowering plants which can be a source of food not only for them but also for us (e.g. nasturtium).
We strive for maximum biodiversity, i.e. the largest possible number of species and varieties of grown plants, but also animals living in the given area.
Natural conditions
Eco-farm Country Life is located in the Beroun district in the village Nenačovice, on the edge of Křivoklát forests. The field is located in two units not far from each other. All our fields are protected by forests without any conventional field nearby. The eco-farm gardening is located in the valley of the Loděnice brook.
The location of our eco-farm meets a number of important criteria for organic farming - clean environment and isolation from the surrounding conventional agricultural activity and disturbances. On the other hand, farming is made more difficult by the fact that the site is located in the frost valley and rain shadow. Soil quality is not the best, either. The soil here is clayey-clay and medium to heavy, which are not entirely suitable conditions for plant growth, especially in the absence of precipitation in the summer.
For these reasons, we have lower yields, and it is difficult to compete with more fertile and warmer areas. The more we are pleased that the quality of the vegetables and its yields are constantly improved by work, skill and with God's help.
Awards
Already in 1993, our eco-farm was honoured in the competition for the ecological project of the year. We have also received a significant award "Barták's Pot" for the best organic farmer of 2006. We see this award as an acknowledgement not only for our work but also for the long-term promotion of organic farming and organic products.
