For or Against

     I don't use toxic chemicals on my land or in my hives.  While one could infer that I'm against the use of toxic chemicals (mostly true), that is not the frame of reference that I'm working from in making such a decision.  My decision process is less about what I'm against and more about what I'm for, with the overall goal of creating a healthy farm ecosystem using sustainable practices to provide high quality nutritional crops.  To that end, I don't use synthetic chemicals to control weeds, fungi,  or moss.  I use no toxic chemicals in my hives to control pests.  I do not use fossil fuel based fertilizers in my orchard or garden.

     That's what I don't do.  I do weed my garden the old fashioned way, pulling by hand or using a hoe and/or shovel.  In other places I let the "weeds",  such as dandelions, have their way.  I stopped mowing my orchard (much to my wife's chagrin) when I found out the tall grass provides a cover for bugs that would otherwise move up into the trees if that cover was reduced.  I care for my bees by inspecting my hives and using  organic methods to prevent and treat for diseases and pests.  I fertilize my orchard and garden by composting.
      I know most people consider the dandelion an undesirable weed.  Perhaps I'm quite alone on this, but I actually love the beauty of the dandelion.  How's this for a weed: most of the plant is edible - leaves, flower and root.  And it's not just edible but nutritious as well, providing more beta-carotene than carrots, more iron and calcium than spinach, and is loaded with vitamins B, C, D, and E along with a host of minerals.  The ubiquitous dandelion has long been utilized for its many medicinal properties.  That it provides nectar for bees is also a plus.

     Knowing what I'm for provides me with a clearer vision of what I want the farm to be and makes it much easier to develop a plan to achieve that goal than does being merely against something.  Simply being against toxic chemicals or synthetic fertilizers could mean that I choose not to be proactive and forgo fertilizing my crops or treating my hives for pests, allowing nature to take it's course.  If that were my outlook I wouldn't bother with farming and would spend my time foraging and hunting exclusively.  Knowing what I'm for gives direction to my continuing agricultural education.  It's said that if you ask ten beekeepers advice on keeping bees you'll get ten different answers.  What I'm unlikely to get from as many queries at my local beekeeping association meetings are insights into organic beekeeping  theory or practice, so I supplement with my own readings.
     Besides the practical physical applications I gain by focusing on what I'm for, there is also greater peace of mind than if I were focused on what I'm against.  In the first instance I'm more likely to be solution minded; in the latter the attention is on the problem and, therefore, likely to be producing more stress.  Knowing my purpose, I set my gaze inward to figure out what I need to do to address a particular concern.  When the problem is forefront, I often waste valuable time looking to place blame instead of resolving the issue.
     I'm always willing to engage neighbors, friends and even strangers who are interested in what I'm doing and passionately relate the "why" of what I do (which is one of the reasons for this blog), but have little need to proselytize about the power of sustainable organic practices to those who really could care less.  Converts to the organic mindset are more likely to be gained if people like what they see (or eat) and become curious to the "why", as opposed to merely attacking someone's long held practices with no context for  discussion.  My own conversion to living a more organic lifestyle has been a process - still is a process -  of learning and practicing new habits that I believe are healthier for me, my family, the land, and the community I live in.
     In being against something, it's easy to develop an "all or nothing" attitude, which is counter productive to the way we human beings actually learn and grow.  Learning, adapting and growing often take place in fitful spurts - sometimes painfully slow and at other times in waves that seem to overwhelm us (remember your teen years).
     Working purposely toward a healthy, sustainable farm ecosystem, I have the opportunity to not only learn and grow, but also to practice much needed patience and acceptance of the world and of myself.