Philosophy

In my work with farmers, ranchers, and artisan food producers, I have experienced firsthand that environmental health, economic viability, and human well-being are intrinsically connected and dependent upon one another.

In fact, the way we produce food and feed ourselves is at the heart of most of the challenges that we face as a society.
In order to successfully address human health issues, stop environmental degradation, reverse global warming, end obesity in children, help struggling rural communities and re-connect us, as a people, we must acknowledge sustainable agriculture as perhaps the most critical part of the solution.

Literally, underneath all of this, is soil.

Our relationship to our soil is the key to everything. Without healthy soil we have nothing, no healthy food, no feed for animals, and no clothing, no thriving communities, and no self-reliance. There is a Native American saying that, “We were conceived by our birthmother who was fed by the great mother, the Earth.” Soil carries us through our lifetime, and we must care for our soil as if it was our body, because in truth, it is.

About this blog

In response to many people’s questions and desire to engage further about food and soil, I decided to launch An Organic Conversation. I am writing this blog to discuss today’s challenges and their solutions, to foster ecology-based thinking in the organic food and holistic health movement, and to share my experiences and points of view in this increasingly complex world we all live in. My goal is to provide clarity in this dialog and create a deeper understanding of the impact of our everyday choices, and how they all relate to sustainable food production.

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with some extraordinary people in my life. I have been inspired and challenged many times in these relationships, and over time have learned that we manifest in the presence of others – that ultimately it is not about right and wrong, but about coming together, understanding the other, and finding a common goal in our pursuit of positive change. So, I’d like to ask you to take any thoughts and suggestions you find in my blog simply as an idea, a mirror, an invitation to find and follow your own voice and your own truth, time and time again.

Rumi says “Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field – I’ll meet you there.”

Thanks for reading my blog; I’ll see you in the field…