This article, just published in a special issue of the global publication Sustainability Science, is based on research into the experiences of beef and sheep farmers in NSW Australia. It’s about how farmers’ negative experiences with agrochemicals and their positive experiences with the microbiome motivated them to transition from conventional to regenerative agriculture
Dr. Hannah Gosnell, Ph.D., Professor of Geography, College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University focused her research on understanding what motivates farmers to adopt ‘climate-smart’ regenerative practices. She aimed to support the development of the right policies, incentives, outreach, and support mechanisms.
With a little help from her Aussie Regenerating Agriculture friends (see ‘Changing Paradigms‘) who provided their time and input ,and as she writes: ‘encouraged me to get this finished!’, Dr. Gosnell takes a holistic approach into what influenced farmers individually and communally to regenerate soil and soul alike.
Regenerating soil, regenerating soul: an integral approach to understanding agricultural transformation Here’s a link to the PDF. Please share with anyone who might be interested: https://rdcu.be/cnhkB
Abstract
A key finding is that negative experiences with agrochemicals associated with increasing costs and declining results were an important driver of change. And the positive experiences when learning about the microbiome and practicing ecological approaches to fertilisation and pest control, engendered enthusiasm and a commitment to transition away from high-input agriculture. Also a conviviality associated with communities of practice, e.g. microscope groups, played an important role in the transition process, as farmers solidified new identities and participated in ongoing social learning.
Based on these results, Dr Gosnell argues that farmers’ feelings of kinship with nature (animals, plants, microbes) resulting from learning about and working with soil are under appreciated drivers of behavioural change and powerful leverage points for larger-scale social-ecological transformation and the emergence of institutional and systemic change.
When white men came to America, they asked the Indians if they had land to sell. The Indians thought that was hilarious – they said “Would you like to buy the sky as well?”
When white men came to Australia. They didn’t ask if they could take the land. The indigenous tribes thought it was ludicrous. Why won’t the white man understand? The earth is not just some commodity to use up and throw away.
When they look back at our generation will they think we were greedy? Our great great grandchildren need to live here some day.
We need to rewrite future history – let’s not sell the sky as well.
We’re the wallaby and kangaroo
The possum and the quoll
The koala and the platypus
The emu and the mole
The wombat and the bilby
in the trees and in the sand
We are part of life’s great circle
We make this great brown land
Rusty Kangaroo by VInod Ralh
We’re the source, we are the cycle
From an ancient life we come
We share the earth,
We need your voice
Sing out, shout out, Australia
Save our Australia
Rusty Black Cockatoo by Vinod Ralh
We’re the kookaburra and parrot
The cockatoo and gannet
The noisy miners and galah
The lizard and echidnas
We’re the frogmouth and rosella
The magpie …and goanna
The pelican and fairy wren
Black swan and marsh hen
Rusty Echidna by VInod Ralh
We’re the source, we are the cycle
From an ancient life we come
We share the earth,
We need your voice
Sing out Australia. Shout out,Australia
Let's save Australia
Rusty Wombat by VInod Ralh
We are frogs and we are dragons
We’re crocodiles and clams
We’re the bee that brings you honey
We keep those pests in hand
We’re the butterfly, the termite
The sharks and coral trout
We’re angelfish and sturgeons
We’re what we shout about.
Rusty Platypus by VInod Ralh
BECAUSE…
We’re the source, we are the cycle
From an ancient life we come
We share the earth,
We need your voice
Sing out, Australia. Shout out,Australia
Let's save Australia
We’re the source, we are the cycle
From an ancient life we come
We share the earth,
We need your voice
Sing out, Australia. Shout out Australia
Save our Australia
Let's Save Australia.
