Putting the wealth of meanings that define "culture" back in agriculture is not so crazy really, when you look at Webster’s definition of culture: It starts out with cultivation and tillage; adds on the idea of the act of developing intellectual and moral facilities especially by education; incorporates the ideas of expert care and training; is elaborated as excellence of taste acquired by intellectual or aesthetic training; and brings in the notion of a particular stage of advancement in civilization. In the final analysis, it becomes cultivation of living material in prepared nutrient media.
Even without the "agri," culture itself can stand in for the creation of educated farmers cultivating healthy, living foods and soils. That extended definition of culture gets at the principle foundations of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy, Wisconsin. Founded in 1984 by European natives, Christopher and Martina Mann (who are still on the Board of Directors), Michael Fields grew out of a need the Manns identified to help educate farmers. Unlike in Europe, they found virtually no U.S. educational, training, and research resources to support their commitment to creating and building a presence in organic, biodynamic, sustainable agriculture.
Although the Mann’s commitment to organic, biodynamic practices was the starting point, today Michael Fields "wants to work broadly and generally with all kinds of farmers. We stand for a belief in helping the most people possible to move in the right direction," commented John Hall, Executive Director.
To address the most pressing needs first, two programming areas were identified as the cornerstones of the institute: First, to educate and conduct outreach for farmers, and second, to become a source of independent research. The research the institute identified as critical included practice-level information for farmers (identifying ways to increase yields and decrease expenses); academic-level research in the league of land grant universities (validating and adding credibility to the issue of organic, sustainable agriculture); and more general research relating to environmental quality, comparing organic and conventional means of production (of interest both to farmers and the general public.)
In addition to the highest priority intentions of the institute — farmer education and research — there was also a commitment to develop land stewardship and serve as a gateway to encourage farmers and consumers to connect. Over time, other programming areas were added, including an interning/training program for would-be farmers. Recognizing that many changes are possible only through revising public policy, Michael Fields added programs that address sustainable agricultural policy issues, as well as media communications training for other groups, to effectively communicate the sustainability message in a media-soaked culture.
Research Creates a Catalyst for Change
According to Hall, one of the unique things about Michael Fields is its research capabilities, including Ph.D.-level independent researchers on staff. Research and its funding can either maintain the status quo or it can be the driver for change. Scientifically credible research can validate low [chemical] input farming. It can help farmers, researchers, and policy makers quantify the costs and benefits of conventional versus organic versus biodynamic farming methods.
| Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a public non-profit education and research organization committed to promoting resource-conserving, ecologically sustainable, and economically viable food and farming systems. Its mission is to enhance the fertility of the soil, the quality of food, the health of animals and the strength of the human spirit by revitalizing the culture of agriculture. — Michael Fields Mission Statement |
"Our current food system is well supported by government," says Hall. In fact, according to Tony Ends, communications coordinator for Michael Fields, "Just one-half of one percent of the total USDA budget is for education and research connected with sustainable agriculture issues." That means the lion’s share of governmental support is directed to agri-business and its high input issues. To make a change in those federal budgets, consumers who value alternatives to the usual "agri-business-as-usual," and who want to see more organic, biodynamic, and greener practices, must speak up to elected representatives. Organizations like Michael Fields make the case — with farmers and small-to-mid-sized producers, and to consumers and policy-makers — that alternative avenues of research need to be pursued.
Using science and research, agronomists at Michael Fields advocate a long-term focus, a commitment to the public, and a perspective that strives to honor both the natural world and the culture of agriculture.
With the addition of Tony Ends — a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farmer and former newspaper journalist — as communications coordinator, Michael Fields has been actively pursuing as many grant proposals as possible for research and outreach projects.
Helping Farmers Move in the Right Direction — and Make Money
"We want to support family farms and to help farmers do a better job," acknowledges Hall. This is a process of educating farmers about alternatives to cultivating corn and soybeans; or of cultivating them with fewer chemicals. Michael Fields offers insights to help them grow and market alternate crops, such as oats or winter wheat. For those farmers for whom organic is not possible, Michael Fields outlines proven money-saving techniques for farming using a lighter load of chemicals while maintaining or improving crop yield. The program identifies farmers who are experimenting with sustainable practices, supports them with research, provides a source of information on grant funding available, and offers venues for these farmers to present their findings to peers. This farmer-helping- farmer type of community-building is one of the best examples of how Michael Fields draws on the traditional strengths of early agricultural practices, bringing them into a present-day model.
Michael Fields offers winter workshops on organic, biodynamic, and sustainable practices. Presentations cover the gamut of issues farmers must deal with: soil health, insects, plant disease, organic certification. Speakers include Michael Fields research staff as well as practicing vegetable farmers.
Biodynamic farming takes organic practices to a higher level. According to Walter Goldstein, Michael Fields agronomist and director of the institute’s biodynamic program, "All around us, everywhere, there is evidence of degeneration." He identifies ongoing global-wide health problems with livestock and with soil. "Biodynamics has an approach that can lead to healthy farming. We need it." Biodynamics uses nature as its teacher, offering a new scientific perspective on agricultural production. As a system, it recognizes vital relationships: of nutrient to soil, soil to plant, plant to soil, plant to plant, all within a systematic study that seeks balance and integration.
Growing Future Farmers
More than 300,000 farmers left their farms over the past two decades, and many remaining farmers are bitter over decreasing margins and increasing production costs.
Michael Fields stands for the vital importance of land stewardship — and its environmental, social and ethical implications. Says Hall, "The general trend in agriculture of removing people from the land is a cause of problems. It is important that farmers be on the land, connected to the land."
Bucking the trend toward enormous agricultural operations, Michael Fields offers practical hands-on training and internships for would-be farmers in Stella Gardens, their on-site CSA. According to Tony Ends, "We want to encourage a vocation in agriculture with smaller acreages, and direct, local, sustainable interactions between farmers and consumers."
In its first three years of operations, Michael Fields’ intern program has drawn students from around the U.S. and from Liberia, South Korea, and Lithuania. Currently it includes four internship program areas: gardening, dairying, cooking/gardening, and research.
Gateway Between Farmers and Consumers
The economics of sustainable agriculture is not viable without consumer demand. Says Hall, "We recognize a need to build more base and momentum behind this movement. To do that, we need to build an understanding between farmers and consumers — educating farmers about why consumers have particular demands; and helping consumers understand what farmers are up against. We aim to serve as a gateway for urban people to become partners with farmers in bringing about change and in contributing to development of healthy agriculture. We need to have an educated citizen base that can relate to and understand that these issues have enormous ramifications for small businesses, farms, the environment, and our communities."
What’s grown out of this process, according to Hall, is programming that connects farmers directly with consumers, both via Michael Fields support of CSA farms, as well as direct sale of meat and produce from farmer to consumer.
Michael Fields sponsors an Urban-Rural Conference annually where farmers and consumers can meet, talk, learn, and develop direct producer-consumer relationships. At these conferences, farmers can explain how direct support from their markets makes it profitable for them to use humane methods of animal husbandry, sustainable agricultural practices, and socially responsible, non-exploitative farming techniques. Sounds like a simple solution: producer and consumer talking and listening to each other.
What Urban Consumers Can Do
Advises John Hall, "Vote with your dollars. Be aware and seek out organic,‘green’ label CSA farms and biodynamic products. Try to see that your dollars are spent with farmers and producers who are trying to make positive changes. And taxpayers need to demand that tax dollars be spent supporting ways that they want food provided. Consumers have to get involved with public policy related to sustainability."
For those who care about the environment and their health, board president Ron Kroese recommends, "Think about what you’re eating, where it came from, how it was grown."
Food and Spirit
"I’m a firm believer that folks in the U.S. in particular have an amazing blessing in our food and the small price we pay," says Kroese. "One of the most important things Michael Fields does is put emphasis on the quality of the food production, taking it to the spiritual level. From an economic level, we can appreciate our great blessing, but Michael Fields wants to help people understand how special the land is, and what the food system could be at the next level of goodness."
The 1998 annual report of Michael Fields shares stories that present models for constructive change in aspects of life that affect all of us. The stories illuminate the particulars of a wide range of successes, including real farmers who tried out new methods and now see a viable way to move to greener practices while earning a living; young interns who are studying for a future in sustainable farming; Michael Fields researchers whose work is making a difference for many farmers, not only in the upper Midwest, but around the world. Taken as a whole, they create a picture of sustainable agriculture policy advocates who take their passion and mission to the highest halls of government decision-making.
"It’s not just science. It’s not just business. There’s a spiritual and ethical dimension to this," says Hall. "Whether we live in a city, whether or not we derive an income from the land, few of us pause to consider how vital to us are such matters as how our food is grown, and by whom, whether growing food is a profitable enterprise, the fertility of the soil, the purity of water, the conservation of Earth’s resources, and the sustainability of agriculture."
Giving voice to these concerns and opening dialogues for change, Michael Fields stands as a beacon for maintaining family farms, growing vital foods, building healthy soil, and nurturing the human spirit through wise land stewardship.
For more information on programs or to connect with the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, call 414-642-3303.
Bobbye Middendorf is an independent writer and artist in Chicago and a member of Angelic Organics csa.