Philosophy 4 – Know that Farming is not always about action

It’s imperative to remember that we do not always have to be doing ‘something’. We always need to consider the “do-nothing” scenario. Therefore, aim for less interference, less interventions. Understand the maxim “Less is more”.

In the words of Masanobu Fukuoka, “…natural farming proceeds from the spiritual health of the individual…[The] health of the land and the purification of the human spirit [to] be one process and [proposed] is a way of life and a way of farming in which this process can take place.” The question is asked “How about not doing this? How about not doing that?”

We attempt not to act in haste, consider and observe, understand that the quick answer, is often the dirtiest, and may leave us with ongoing problems. Listen to the land. We try not to make management decisions on what we ‘think’ is best for the soil, paddock, tree, bird, ewe. Through careful observation, the land will generally give us the information we need, which presupposes a level of patience and ‘not doing’. We trust the farm to show us its weaknesses and strengths and use ecological succession as a management tool.