The 2500 sq ft(225 sq m) Integrated Food production Area (IFPA) is an important component of the Formula. It represents the total land area required to meet a person's food needs. The IFPA employs ecologically responsible concepts such as Biodynamic, Organic, and Permaculture. The IFPA will provide for three basic diet types without degrading the environment: 1) Basic Meat/Dairy Intake 2) Vegetarian 3) Vegan A high meat, dairy and protein intake diet takes greater land areas to produce. The division of the IFPA follows: 1) 100 sq ft(9 sq m) to vegetables 2) 200 sq ft(18 sq m) to fruit 3)400 sq ft(36 sq m) to grains/cereals 4)1800 sq ft(162 sq m) to dairy/proteins and workspace The areas are divided based upon growing requirements. For example, over 300 lbs(135 kg) of vegetables can be produced on 100 sq ft(9 sq m) during a normal growing season. This amount equals the amount generally consumed by a person each year. It is important to remember that the IFPA can be used by a single person to produce part or all of their own food, but it is best managed as units that supply a number of people with their food. For example, you can grow enough fruit on one tree for a person's entire yearly needs, but it is produced in a short season. Furthermore, it would limit a person to a diet with very little diversity. A better approach is a mixed orchard with fruits that ripen at different times which supplies multiple people. Similarly, the 1800 sq ft(162 sq m) for protein/dairy is not sufficient to raise a dairy cow, but reflects an individual's share. |