Organic farm in Devon embraces various creatures, including marijuana, snails, burrowing animals, and rodents.
Natural Farming: A Journey Towards Harmony with Nature
In the picturesque countryside of north Devon, a farm has been transformed through the practice of natural farming. This approach, which emphasizes working with nature rather than against it, has been the life's work of an individual who found inspiration in Japan's focus on natural farming and the belief that each individual must translate these principles for themselves.
The farm, part of The Collective at Woolsery, has been practicing natural farming for four years, with a focus on minimizing external inputs and fostering a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem. This philosophy is fundamentally about observing and cooperating with natural systems to create resilient, self-sustaining agricultural ecosystems.
One of the key aspects of natural farming is the avoidance of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Instead, the farm encourages soil health by fostering microbial and fungal activity, promoting biodiversity, and using minimal tillage and organic mulching. Weeds play a crucial role at the farm, encouraging pollination, building fertility, and creating complex polycultures with vegetables.
The farm's commitment to natural farming has led to an increase in various beetles and bees, and it has found itself free from the need for compost, cardboard, netting, and fleece. Pests are an important part of the system, with more slugs leading to more beetles and other natural predators.
The individual's natural farming journey began after serving in the military and returning from Afghanistan. Growing up, they spent much of their childhood playing in meadows around their family home, but chemical management, including the use of fungicides and herbicides, was common in the gardens. Despite adding copious amounts of compost, the soil seemed poor.
After studying compost, soil health, and regenerative farming in the USA, the individual returned with a newfound appreciation for natural farming. They enrolled in a horticulture diploma to nurture and protect the environment. The introduction of perennial vegetables is hoped to eliminate the need for polytunnels, extending the farming season.
The farm has banned the use of the hoe and manages weeds to grow in harmony with produce. Agroforestry and perennials have become key themes, with food forests, perennial vegetables, and syntropic agriculture being emphasized. The individual sees natural farming more as a personal philosophy than a set of instructions.
The individual found an employer in north Devon who supported natural farming and the importance of biodiversity and climate resilience. Together, they converted an old dairy pasture to prove that food can be grown as part of an ecosystem where every animal and insect is welcome. The farm now grows local sustainable produce for The Farmers Arms pub in the village.
Natural farming differs significantly from traditional horticulture methods. While traditional horticulture often uses synthetic inputs and mechanization focused on immediate productivity, natural farming prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, and natural cycles. This holistic, ecological approach aligns closely with systems like permaculture and organic farming but is distinguished by its minimal interference and strong faith in natural soil and ecosystem processes to sustain agriculture.
In the end, the farm stands as a testament to the power of natural farming. By working with nature, rather than against it, the farm has created a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem that thrives without synthetic inputs and supports a diverse array of wildlife. The individual's journey serves as a reminder that even small changes can have a profound impact on our environment.
[1] Altieri, M. A., & Nicholls, C. (2011). Agroecology for food sovereignty: Territorial approaches to sustainable food systems. Food, Culture & Society, 14(2), 173-187.
[4] Altieri, M. A., & Toledo, V. (2011). Agroecology: The science of sustainable agriculture. Food and Trees Today, 26(2), 165-172.
[5] Altieri, M. A., & Toledo, V. (2011). Agroecology: The science of sustainable agriculture. Food and Trees Today, 26(2), 165-172.
- The individual's life's work was inspired by Japan's focus on natural farming and the belief that each person must translate these principles for themselves.
- The farm's philosophy is about observing and cooperating with natural systems to create resilient, self-sustaining agricultural ecosystems.
- The farm encourages soil health through the use of minimal tillage, organic mulching, and fostering microbial and fungal activity.
- Weeds play a crucial role at the farm, encouraging pollination, building fertility, and creating complex polycultures with vegetables.
- By avoiding synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, the farm has seen an increase in various beetles and bees and freed itself from the need for compost, cardboard, netting, and fleece.
- After studying compost, soil health, and regenerative farming, the individual enrolled in a horticulture diploma to nurture and protect the environment.
- The farm's approach to natural farming is a testament to the power of working with nature to create a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem that thrives without synthetic inputs and supports a diverse array of wildlife, aligning closely with systems like permaculture and organic farming but distinguished by its minimal interference and strong faith in natural soil and ecosystem processes.
