In Albert Howard’s book “An Agricultural Testament” (1943) there is a nice definition of natural method of cultivation. Here is what Howard writes:

“What are the basic principles behind Nature’s agriculture? These can most easily be seen in operation in our forests and woodlands.”

Mixed farming is the rule: plants are always found with animals: many species of plants and animals all coexist. All forms of animal life, from mammals to the simplest invertebrates, occur in the forest. The plant kingdom presents a similar range: there is never any attempt at monoculture : mixed crops and mixed cultivation are the rule.

The soil is always protected from the direct action of sun, rain and wind. In this soil care, strict economy is the watchword: nothing is lost. All the energy of sunlight is harnessed by the foliage of the forest canopy and undergrowth. The leaves also break rain into fine spray so that it can be more easily dealt with by the litter of plant and animal remains that provide the last line of defense for the precious soil. These methods of protection, so effective against sun and rain, also reduce the power of the strongest winds to a gentle draught.

Precipitation in particular is carefully preserved. A large portion is retained in the surface soil: the excess is gently transferred to the subsoil and in due course to streams and rivers. The fine mist created by the foliage is transformed by the protective soil litter into thin films of water that move slowly downward, first into the humus layer and then into the soil and subsoil. The latter were made porous in two ways : by the creation of a well-marked crumb structure and by a network of drainage and aeration channels made by earthworms and other burrowing animals. The pore space of forest soil is at its maximum so that there is a large internal soil surface over which thin films of water can creep. There is also ample humus for direct moisture absorption

The excess slowly drains through the subsoil. There is greatly reduced runoff, even from the primordial rainforest. When this happens it is practically clear water. Almost no soil is removed. Nothing in the nature of soil erosion occurs. Streams and rivers in forested areas are always perennial because of the large amount of slow moving water between storms and the sea . Thus, there is little or no drought in forest areas. Because much of the rain is retained exactly where it is needed.

The forest is self-fertilizing. The soil always carries a great reserve of fertility. There is no existence to the day on nature’s agriculture. Reserves are carried in the upper layers of soil in the form of humus. Yet any unnecessary accumulation of humus is avoided because it is automatically mixed with the top soil by the activities of burrowing animals such as earthworms and insects. The extension of this huge reserve is realized only when trees are cut down and virgin land is used for agriculture.”

Summarizing:

1. The first rule is that nature does not like monocultures but always breeds mixed crops;
2. Mother Earth also never attempts to cultivate without the help of animals;
3. In Nature there is the highest expression in soil preservation and erosion prevention;
4. In Nature, mixed plant and animal wastes are converted into humus;
5. In Nature there is no waste;
6. In Nature, growth processes and decay processes balance each other out;
7. In Nature there is a constant goal of maintaining large fertility reserves;
8. In Nature, soils are porous and well aerated
9. In Nature there is the utmost care to store rain;
10. In Nature, both plants and animals protect themselves from disease
11. In Nature there is self-sufficiency and all processes occur autonomously and permanently

These are some of the characteristics of what we can call “Mother Nature’s method of farming,” something quite different from today’s agriculture.

The word agriculture comes from Latin: “ager”: means field or arable land, “culture”: means cultivation or care. Combining the two terms, it literally means cultivation (care) of the fields. But while this term once reflected the deep connection between man and the land he worked to obtain sustenance, in the last 150 years that deep connection has been broken.

There is no denying that technology has brought extraordinary benefits to agriculture, but it has also caused us to lose that spiritual and practical connection to the land (which more an element to care for has become something to exploit). Recovering it requires cultural change and reflection on the value of the soil as a common good, not just an economic resource.

In this respect, the disciplines I have experienced bring benefits: biodynamic agriculture seeks to restore a balance with nature; permaculture, seeks to integrate agriculture, ecology and design to create self-sustaining systems; and syntropic agriculture is a regenerative method that mimics natural ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, fertile soil and ecological sustainability.

By combining these disciplines I have over time built a Method of cultivation, very close to what happens in nature, thus sustainable, as well as profitable in both quality and quantity.

The next article will discuss the eight crucial points, the pillars on which the Natural Sustainable Agricultural Method (MANS) rests.

Stay connected!!!