As we fight our way out of what might, from a certain perspective, have been the most difficult 12 months of our lives, we’ve been concurrently presented with opportunities to, instead of looking back and pining for the “good ole days,” look forward and forge a new future for humanity and planet earth. It is here I look for renewed energy to not just write, but farm, forage, communicate, teach, and practice what I have accumulated over the past decades. In Claude Bourguignon’s book “Regenerating the Soil,” he writes that “the evolution of ideas is based on what precedes them.” And that is exactly where we are at with agricultural science as we move from agronomy to agrology.
“To go beyond agronomy is to pass from doctrine and simplistic approach to agriculture to a more scientific and global perspective. It is no longer a question of forcing the soil or the animal to conform to our yield-centred model, but to understand and accept the complexitiy fo the land.” - Claude Bourguignon, Regenerating the Soil.
Over the next year, I plan on revisiting old topics with new, novel, biodynamic approaches about how the “future” of farming can and must change if we are to positively impact the quality of food and the future of the planet. The fact is this new beginning has been underway for a long time, it just has yet to gain the critical mass and traction needed to affect the global impact required to shift the way we grow food on a global basis away from extractive economies and practice and in a direction of true sustainability. I expect that much of this will be new to many of you, as well as easily dismissed by the agricultural “old guard.” No matter, the health of the soil and the resilience of our farms, orchards and vineyards depends on new beginnings, shifting attitudes, and grand visions. Today is a new day with new opportunities. Carpe diem!
KNOW YOUR ROOTS NEWS
- We're Hiring a Summer Intern! Know Your Roots is looking for a dedicated summer intern in or near the Ithaca area willing to help with field work associated with our organic and biodynamic orchard, vegetable, mushroom, and bee projects. Prior experience is not required, but what is needed is a dedication to hard work and a passion for regenerative farming and orcharding. We'll teach you the rest. This is an April though October position with paid stipend. No housing is available unfortunately and the lucky person must have reliable transportation. Please contact Mike at mike@knowyouroots.com for more information or to apply.
- Weekly Orchard Update Webinars! Over the last year we've come to love and embrace the virtualness of these times and all they represent (sort of!). But in truth, it is doubtful we can fully return to those days where we gathered together for in-person seminars and workshops for at least a few more months. That said, virtual workshops and seminars are but some of the ways we can reach a broader audience. So, beginning in a few weeks we're going to begin offering a series of bi-weekly orchard updates on timely and important topics, such as apple scab, fireblight, and codling moth - to name but a few. We'd love to hear from you about topics or issues that are important to you! The KYR Virtual Webinars will be held on Saturday mornings beginning March 13, time TBD. That's just 3 weeks away! Stay tuned here for more information or email me at mike@knowyouroots.com for more information. The first webinar will be on holistic apple scab and fireblight control.
