Give and it will be given

The land is a beautiful thing. Seriously, have you ever stopped to look at the way it curves and dips; how the climate and terrain work in harmony to create different landscapes across the whole world? It is thoroughly alive yet not in a loud, in-your-face type of way. It has terrible power yet the land consistently flowers, fruits, and springs forth life. The land gives to us.

The history of mankind includes much cultivation. People of all times have worked the land in order to eat, settle, and build our lives. Sadly, our history also includes much exploitation of the land. Nature resiliently continues to grow back but we continue to take.

In the natural world, we see diversity in species - leading to health and beauty. 

In agricultural history, instead of staying with nature's pattern, we have tended toward what is known as “monocropping” essentially planting one variety of seed, often in the same spot year after year. This practice depletes the living soil and the organic matter. Regardless, year after year, many farmers continue to draw from the soil instead of enhancing the life naturally found there.

We cannot expect to keep taking and taking, for we will sow what we reap. 

To give life we must draw from a source. In our consumerist culture, we are so accustomed to always receiving without giving in return, but that is not how life works. If we are to receive life from the soil (as we seek to do as farmers) we must, in turn, cultivate the land. Will our legacy be one of exploitation or of harmony and synergy as we nurture and in turn are nurtured? We must not ignore these basic principles of life!!

At Polyface, we have seen our land reward us with even more abundance to share due to the effort put into cultivating it! The community grows, the land can give because it is given the nutrients it needs, and the animals thrive! It is a beautiful picture!

Rotational grazing of livestock and intentional management of all our pastured animals give the soil the impact and nutrients it needs. 

When you put animals on a pasture at a high density, they can graze to stimulate new growth and their manure gives the land that extra nutrients leading to fertility. We can bring that nutrition to the land in ways other than grazing as well. Spreading compost on the fields is another way to feed the soil. These same practices can be used to reclaim land as pasture as well.

There are ways that you too can participate in healing the land. 

Consider starting a compost pile in your backyard or getting a couple of chickens to eat your food scraps.

Support a farm like Polyface with farmers who are passionate about soil health. Become a partner by spreading and supporting a farming system that gives to the land. 

Look at your life as the bigger picture and consider areas where you are a “taker”. Seek to be a giver instead. Perhaps there is an area of your life where you are giving and feeling depleted and you need to find a source of life to draw from.

This idea of giving and taking has been on my heart a lot recently. I desire to be a giver, someone who can be a fountain of life and hope to the world around me and one who is cheerful in their generosity. I can’t be that for everyone. This idea of sustainable synergy thrives on community. Let us cultivate and heal the land while in turn receiving healing from the land. Will you join me on this mission?

“The farmer doesn't sow any seed; he chooses it carefully for by experience he knows that the harvest will be of the same Nature of the sowing. The wise man observes the laws of life and lives accordingly. Therefore, you sow in the furrow of life generous and beneficial procedures for all that according to the law your harvest, being good will make your life better.”   -Amado Nervo

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”   - Luke 6:38

Priscilla