How to Go Broke Farming

One of the things that drives me a bit nuts is our tendency, as human beings, to treat every existing problem as new and needing novel solutions.  The other is the mistake we make when we discount the knowledge and wisdom of prior generations, closely followed by those of us who believe the old ways were perfect.

The newspaper clipping shown above was published in the June 17, 1927 Farm and Dairy and was put together by the the University of Tennessee Extension Office.  This is not the only example of farming wisdom that has floated around to various communities via social media in recent years.  I have viewed documents from the 1940s, 1870s and, yes, even the 1700s that discuss farming practices that, for some reason, often have been overlooked by those who would farm.

Yes, you heard that right.  For the most part, the way many of our grandparents and great-grandparents (etc etc) farmed was less than optimal.  And it feels like there are plenty of folks out there who are quite happy to maintain that tradition in the present day. The only real constant for generations in the United States has been a general willingness to ignore the principles of land stewardship.

Perhaps the only difference is that people have found a way to still make money despite abusing the land they farm.  If anything, the adjustments that have been made since 1927 have made it difficult to farm well.  Instead, our systems reward the pesticide and synthetic herbicide industries (among other big ag businesses) and place hurdles on anyone who might like engage in being a steward-farmer.

But eventually, things - such as herbicides - will cease to hold the wolf at the door.  The deep, rich soil we have in states like Iowa isn't as deep and rich as it once was and we will be called to pay for our debt to the land.  If we spent more time caring for the land, it would take care of us.  We wouldn't need to rely on the next new and novel solution for pest control, soil fertility and weed control.

I know, it's a radical idea.  And it's been radical for generations.  Perhaps it's time for this to be the mainstream attitude?