The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming
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I have to admit that this is one gardening book that I never quite got into. Maybe I don’t have a poetic enough soul. As you can see from the comments, some people really love this one, so I’m including it. — Zana
Description
Call it “Zen and the Art of Farming” or a “Little Green Book,” Masanobu Fukuoka’s manifesto about farming, eating, and the limits of human knowledge presents a radical challenge to the global systems we rely on for our food. At the same time, it is a spiritual memoir of a man whose innovative system of cultivating the earth reflects a deep faith in the wholeness and balance of the natural world. As Wendell Berry writes in his preface, the book “is valuable to us because it is at once practical and philosophical. It is an inspiring, necessary book about agriculture because it is not just about agriculture.”
Trained as a scientist, Fukuoka rejected both modern agribusiness and centuries of agricultural practice, deciding instead that the best forms of cultivation mirror nature’s own laws. Over the next three decades he perfected his so-called “do-nothing” technique: commonsense, sustainable practices that all but eliminate the use of pesticides, fertilizer, tillage, and perhaps most significantly, wasteful effort.
Whether you’re a guerrilla gardener or a kitchen gardener, dedicated to slow food or simply looking to live a healthier life, you will find something here—you may even be moved to start a revolution of your own.
The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming
This book drove me crazy. But then, I have a really low threshold for Zen- and an even lower threshold for that peculiar style of reverent, whispery, needlessly flowery Japanese-to-English translation. Here’s an example from the text- “Humanity is like a blind man who does not know where he is heading. He gropes around with the cane of scientific knowledge, depending on yin and yang to set his course.” Now, the sentiment may very well be true– but lighten up, Francis. That’s the tone of the entire book, and it never lets up.
If you’re already an adherent of real food, permaculture, and no-till, you won’t learn anything new here. If you want a snapshot of how the real food movement got started in Japan, you might get something out of the book.
Rating: 2 / 5
The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming
As is apparent, not only from the abundance of rave 5-star reviews of his book, but also from the many organizations and websites stemming from his approach to agriculture, Masanobu Fukuoka (1913-2008) clearly has had a profound and lasting influence as founder of a grass roots “natural farming” movement and, more broadly, as a respected representative of the more interconnected way of viewing our place within the ecosystem.
Published in 1978, following more than 30 years of Fukuoka’s hands-on experience farming in the Shikoku region of Japan, “The One-Straw Revolution” is both an exposition of the Fukuoka method of farming–direct seeding through broadcasting of pellets; no plowing or tilling; no chemicals fertilizers, insecticides or herbicides; seasonal grain/rice succession; mulching with clover and rice straw–and an extended discussion critiquing scientific values and their negative impact on commercial agricultural practices, our food, nutrition and lifestyle, instead advocating a “one with nature,” Zen-influenced philosophy of life.
However much we can agree in spirit with Fukuoka’s natural approach to farming and living, we should not overlook the irony in how his own application of scientific inquiry undoubtedly aided his discovery and innovation of natural farming methods: “I have made a lot of mistakes while experimenting over the years and have experienced failures of all kinds. I probably know more about what can go wrong growing agricultural crops than anyone else in Japan.” Fukuoka’s success can be attributed, at least in part, to his diligence and perseverance in following that very same, experiment-based, scientific method he learned in his formal training and prior research as a microbiologist, yet liberally criticizes in his book.
There is further irony in Fukuoka’s writing regarding humans and work: “I don’t particularly like the word `work.’ Human beings are the only animals who have to work, and I think this is the most ridiculous thing in the world. . . . I think the way animals live in the tropics, stepping outside in the morning and evening to see if there’s something to eat, and taking a long nap in the afternoon, must be a wonderful life. . . . To move things in this direction is my goal.” I understand Fukuoka’s sentiment in wishing to place humans on par with animals, but I would also contend that this view is much too simplistic. Hundreds of thousands of years ago, when the human brain evolved to a larger size and humans lost their coat of hair and found they needed to harness fire and invent clothing for warmth and survival, our evolutionary path diverged in significant ways from that of other animals–so that returning to the idyllic animal-like existence Fukuoka seeks is a practical impossibility.
Like it or not, we humans will never be content existing as animals do. Fukuoka’s criticism of the detrimental impact that chemical-based commercial agriculture has had on humans and our environment is well taken; however, I cannot agree that humanity long-term will be better off if we stop attempting to reason, analyze and understand the world in which we live, for the inquiring mind (including Fukuoka’s!) that evolution gave us when we acquired larger brains is inherent in our nature as human beings. Our only path ahead into the future is to accept being uniquely human and forge earnestly onward–in a “natural” spirit consistent with Fukuoka’s teaching, but without subscribing to his overly simplistic goal of becoming one with animals.
Rating: 4 / 5
The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming
I was on my way to join the Journalism Institute.I took the bus and immediately grabbed a window seat and opened this book.I raised my head only when the bus had reached its destination,some sixty odd kilometers journey and still I had a few more pages to go.It was enthralling. It was about six years back but I still remember it vividly.
Rating: 5 / 5
The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming
If you’re looking for a practical case study for easy farming with great yields, this is your book. Highly informative!
Rating: 5 / 5
The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming
This is one of the more inspiring books I’ve ever read. If you have any interest in gardening you must read this book. It’s also totally enlightening in exploring eastern philosophy/ culture and the scientific method. I cannot recommend this strongly enough.
Rating: 5 / 5
The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming