Questions about Fukuoka and Natural Farming

Brenda Groth wrote:I don't know who you were directing your questions to ...

Xisca Nicolas wrote:Well, I guess the question is for Larry...

Xisca Nicolas wrote:Hope to make you less interrogative now!
And hope larry will pay a visit here!

Dun Farmin wrote:

a) How would you define the relationship between Fukuoka's natural farming method and permaculture? For example, are they two different circles which interact at a certain point or is natural farming one potential within the broader permaculture?

Permaculture is about observing nature and attempting to learn from it, by applying similar natural principles. Fukuoka approach was very similar, just letting nature flowing its course, and attempting to reduce amount of work through simple natural principles.
However, most people became too intelectual with permaculture, it's a western thing. I personally see both Permaculture and Fukuoka and likewise, and in my own Permaculture approach I am very Fukuoka oriented. Each year I let nature do more its own thing. Fukuoka taught me to relax, to observe more than to act, to accept failure, to give away my need to control, and be simple, soulful and happy


b) You've undoubtably done more than anyone to bring to the world's attention Fukuoka's work, 40 years how much of an effect do you think it has had, and how and where (where not so much geographically but socially)?

This is a question for Larry :) By the way, thank you so much Larry for your sharings.

c) To what do you ascribe the difference in the 'success' and spread of permaculture in comparison to natural farming? It is interesting that you yourself, in essence, market (if I may use such a vulgar concept) yourself as a permaculturalist now, rather than a natural farmer.

Same as before. Western world (and mankind in general) is less confortable with the non-doing and is more methodology and mind oriented. Natural farming is about not using your mind most of the times. It's a kind of Buddhistic gardening.

d) Looking back over the 30/40 years since you translated 'One Straw Revolution' how successful do you think it has been communicating Fukuoka's ideas, how complete a picture do you think it gives, would you have done it a different way if you were to do it today?

e) Are there any limitations to the ability to carry out natural farming be and what might they be, e.g. I am thinking quality of land, climate, financial background and land resources etc?

Using natural farming in mainstream food production is like switching to perennials. It might just be our future solution but we are still far from it, because our culture is so remove from the "permanent" and the "natural". Please remember most of humans live in cities, they already lost most of the link with nature.

f) Is there any such thing as a "natural farming movement", how do you see it and how has it changed over the decades?

I hope there will be more in the future. Natural farming is just like importing Buddhism to our farming and food. It brings peace and balance. Even if it is only a little.

I appreciate that the last question might be a little too sensitive, or you might not want to offend or upset anyone by being too direct, so please allow me to do so. What I have seen or experience is a correlation between the natural farming "consciousness" (I find it hard to see anything as cohesive as a movement), and the macrobiotic movement; that is to say, in its early period of expansion into the West it became a little bit extreme and cult-ish even but that it is broadening and mellowing out a bit. Unfortunately, unlike the macrobiotic movement, there have never really been any businesses or school to promote it, nor 'Kushis' to Fukuoka's Oshawa.

I eat like that. I eat what my body tells me to eat. And still I do the same kind of mistakes ocasionally (like that sweet treaty that makes more bad to me than good). Connecting with your body (and nature) is essential rather than listening so much to ideologies (including "good" ones)

g) Have you visited any of the Indian natural farmers or have any knowledge of how the movement is doing over there?

I visited Auroville (a large ecocommunity), many foreigners and indians living together, and they are doing many interesting natural farming practices and permaculture in there. I was really happily surprised. I am sure that India has much more.

h) What do you think Fukuoka's final most important legacy to this world will be, or indeed the most important part to his message?

Relax and not doing so much. More observe and only do a little. Listen to nature. Be humble.


Thank you.

(FYI, or rather the information of the forum guard dogs ... although 'dun' means brown, the name is one for the Roger Waters fans)

larry korn wrote:Another difference is that permaculture has a certain "what can I get from this land?" undercurrent. If we build better compost or apply aerated compost tea, for example, we will get more yield faster than if we did not use these techniques.

larry korn wrote:"Is natural farming a spiritual practice?" someone asked him one time. "No," he replied. "It's just farming, but in 'just farming' there is great joy."

"Simply serve nature and all is well." In the end, of course, the natural farmer reaps far greater rewards by following this approach both in yields and in personal growth.

larry korn wrote:All good points! By the way, I looked at the photos you posted of where you live. Lovely...and challenging. It must have taken you a long time to build all those stone walls. (haha)