Philosophy
Caring for a piece of land can be one of the most fulfilling ventures in life and our interaction with it greatly shapes who we are, just as it has shaped every generation before us.
Reflecting on what humans have done to this earth often leads us to the conclusion that Earth is better without us. This idea leaves us feeling not only helpless, but homeless and purposeless.
We can change that.
My intention in land stewardship is to create a place where agrarianism leads a person to feel as though they are truly a creature of this earth and worthy of interacting with it and changing it. This connection is extremely empowering and has more potential than anything I have experienced to make positive environmental and social change.
Yes, it is a positive feedback loop in which caring for the land inspires others to do the same. Exponential growth can be a beautiful thing.
Approach
The basis of all agricultural systems is soil. If treated well, it will improve and strengthen over time. Soil creates and provides the building blocks for every living thing on a farm, so it is a crucial place to focus.
Production is important, but production at the expense of soil resembles mining or resource extraction and will not improve or strengthen over time the life that it supports.
To achieve a healthy soil system I look to natural systems and employ their simple genius, diversity, adaptation, cooperation, moderation, and exchange.
Practice
Successful property management is shaped by the natural influences around it. This includes its owners and stewards, but also its climate, surrounding ecosystem, nearby markets, and available resources.
In my work I strive to balance these factors to find the most cooperative and efficient solutions. ‘Systems thinking’ is a term used to describe my approach of considering all pieces of the farm and beyond in the design process.
