A good farmer’s always learning

Everything is still on hold because of the aforementioned medical emergency. The holidays are keeping me busy, too. But the good news is that I’ve gotten a small piece published in Culinate, an online food magazine based out of Portland, Oregon. It’s a news piece based on one of my first entries here, The Drought Myth. While it’s quite brief, it brings Albrecht’s point closer to the mainstream. Check it out:

The fertile plain, Culinate.com

[Edit: 1/30/08]

Some readers commented that Albrecht wasn’t condoning the use of chemical fertilizers, which is was the piece implied by connecting his article to the NYT article about Malawi. That’s not what I was getting at, but I can see how that implication could be drawn.

The comments further implied that the Malawi government is doing more harm than good by turning to chemical fertilizers. I wonder, though, if we look beyond the “evils” of chemical fertilizer, if using them for a few years can possibly lead to a win/win situation. Here’s the comment I posted:

I completely agree that raw materials are the most effective way to encourage soil health in the long run. But, I’m not sure it would be economical or feasible for Malawi’s government to fund a more sustainable approach to soil fertility, at least not at first.

If raw materials are not affordable, then the next best thing would be for Malawi to jump-start their agricultural economy with chemical fertilizers (which are cheaper, more accessible, and more convenient) and use the excess income to fund more sustainable (usually more expensive) methods ASAP.

I haven’t been posting for a bit because of a medical emergency in my family. Most of my time has been spent shuttling back and forth between home and the hospital. Whenever I’ve had the chance, though, I’ve been reading Holistic Management by Allan Savory. I’ve only gotten through a quarter of the book, but considering the circumstances, I’m proud of myself for still seeking agricultural insight amidst all the chaos.

On a deeper note, this experience is reinforcing my commitment to farming profitably. If I had delved into farming with a martyr mentality (as many people have encouraged me to do), I’d be devastated, both emotionally and financially, by a situation like this. I’d be paralyzed by scarce resources and unable to help my family during a difficult time.

I’m glad I never subscribed to the belief that becoming a farmer has to mean draining your bank account. I love farming, but I’m not willing to do it if it means not being able to prepare for life’s untimely yet inevitable surprises.