The first in a new series of articles articulating the basic principles of ecological agriculture
As far back as I can remember, and as far back as I’ve been able to research, Acres U.S.A. has used the trademarked tagline “eco-ag,” which of course is a shortening of the term “ecological agriculture.” Since the beginning, Charles Walters understood that no matter what political party is in power, or what the economy is like, or what laws are imposed on our activities, what you and I do with and on the land exists within the context of “nature.”
Over and over throughout the years, he (and others!) have repeated versions of two particular refrains. One is, “In order for a farm to be ecological, it must be economical.” The other is, “In order for a farm to be economically profitable, it must be ecologically sound.”
As Acres U.S.A. farmers, ranchers and homesteaders, we stand upon the land and must somehow balance ourselves in the center of a riddle: how can we do right by the land, our animals and our family while simultaneously paying the bills? If we aren’t generating revenue, how can we afford to improve the ecological health of our land? And if we aren’t improving the ecological health of our land, yield and quality will decrease and we’ll generate less revenue.
Acres U.S.A. the magazine, the online presence and the Eco-Ag events are how we as Eco-Ag practitioners learn from one another to help one another do both. Part of what makes the Acres U.S.A. family vibrant is the fact that we’re all working on our own piece of the puzzle in various different ways — and that we know that we will never attain perfection! As eco-ag practitioners, we plan, act, seek feedback and adjust continually as we attempt to navigate the complexities of life. This is exactly how a population within an ecosystem behaves! Every species within an ecosystem is engaged in the process of living. Every organism cycles energy and materials through itself, and it is by the living interactions between organisms that ecosystems are sustained.
Fun fact: for its first several months back in 1971, the tagline of Acres U.S.A. magazine was “A Voice for Cycle Agriculture” — in an effort to capture this exact idea. Charles Walters soon changed “Cycle” to “Ecological” because it was more understandable to more people, but he never abandoned the importance of living organisms cycling energy and materials through themselves.
Being an eco-ag practitioner is not as simple as following a codified checklist — do this; don’t do that; here’s a certificate. Being an ecological agriculture practitioner is being a part of a never-ending process of interactions that cycles its way through time. The life in the soil changes through the days, weeks and years, as do our crops and livestock. Cattle may come and cattle may go, but the herd remains. The farm or ranch (or whatever you want to call your place) that you first started working with is different now than it was back then. When you finally leave this life, the land will still be there and will continue to change through time. It will even be cycling minerals that were once a part of you!
Your operation exists on a continuum of change. Some changes are rapid, such as terminating a cover crop, and some are slow, like the growth of a hedgerow planted by grandpa back in the dust bowl. Some of the tools and techniques that you used in your earlier years have changed. The products that you used in the early years may not be the products you use now. The change that happens in the soil, plants and animals of a place over time is what ecologists call “succession.” We are not only active participants in the natural succession of our land; we are the primary drivers.
Geologically, rapid change in an ecosystem is called a “disturbance.” Most of us are familiar with the more obvious disturbances in natural systems, such as fire, wind, floods, landslides, erosion and the like. The aforementioned hailstorm is a disturbance. So is terminating that cover crop or plowing a new field. The processes of growth and reproduction that were taking place previously have been disturbed, and the conditions of the field are different. Disturbance is what allows us to manage new growth. It allows us the opportunity to re-set the successional trajectory of the system and hopefully send it off in a healthier and more productive direction.
Once a disturbance occurs, the business of living begins again for soils, plants, animals and humans. The system regenerates (with our help) and succession (change through time) begins again!
As you are probably aware, Acres U.S.A. has a new owner! An ecological disturbance has occurred! Conditions have changed! The accumulated wisdom and history of Acres U.S.A. is being “tilled in” to fertilize the next phase of regeneration and growth. Acres U.S.A. has the largest historical archives of ecological agriculture workshops, speakers, books and conferences of any organization you will find. This amazing treasure trove is in the process of becoming more readily available for the Acres community. Within our current community, there are thousands of innovative farmers, ranchers, agrarians, agronomists, researchers, homesteaders, veterinarians, physicians, mechanics, inventors, ecologists and more that are continuing to innovate and teach others. Fortunately, we Acres contributors we don’t have to be “terminated” in order to release nutrients into the system. We have enough “bull manure” to contribute for years to come!
Acres U.S.A. is a place where you are welcome no matter what your operation is like or what practices you currently use. It is also a place where your input is valued! By sharing your stories, your skills and your lessons learned, we all learn and our lives can improve.
As part of the newly regenerated ecosystem, Acres U.S.A. will begin a regular series of articles explaining basic ecological principles. As ecological agriculture practitioners, it is in our best interest to have at least a basic understanding of how the nature operating system (Nature OS!) functions. In Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the lifecycles of pests and diseases are learned, allowing for more timely and efficient intervention. By understanding basic ecological principles and learning how nature operates, we can see how to “fit in” to natural cycles in order to optimize the health, fertility, and ecological-economic balance of our life’s puzzle.
Here’s to a new season of health and abundance!
Mark Shepard is a land designer and consultant and is the author of Restoration Agriculture, Water for Any Farm and the Water for Any Farm Technical Manual.
