by Diana Jerkins, Professor, California State Polytechnic University, College of Agriculture, Horticulture, Plant and Soil Science Department, Pomona, California

Last year, I requested a transfer from the Director’s position at the Center for Regenerative Studies to become a professor with the College of Agriculture at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. By becoming affiliated with the College of Agriculture, I would be able to devote my attention fully to teaching and researching sustainable agricultural issues, including the philosophy and practices of Natural Agriculture. I felt that at this time in our industrialized societies that many changes are occurring at a much more rapid pace than ever before during the evolution of civilized society. In the agricultural profession, scientific breakthroughs and resulting ethical questions are happening at a rapid pace. The significance of these changes can potentially change the very biological basis of all plant and animal organisms and the relationship between man and the environment that we live in. Many scientists, farmers, and consumers are seeking choices in how food is produced. Questions about environmental pollution and genetic integrity are being raised with the intense use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers and biotechnological adaptations of transgenic organisms. By returning my focus to the area of sustainable agriculture, I have the opportunity as a scientist to ask questions and evaluate the impact and functioning of synthetic systems compared to naturally based systems.

There are many types of agricultural practices used by farmers. Often answers to current problems can be found by looking back at activities that occur directly in nature. The agricultural practices used in sustainable agriculture combine current and traditional methods that allow the farmer to be environmentally friendly, socially conscious, and economically viable. Examples of sustainable methods are integrated pest management (IPM), organic, biodynamic/French intensive, and holistic resource management. As Shinji Shumeikai has brought the philosophy and teachings of Meishusama beyond the boarders of Japan, the practices of Natural Agriculture are being added to the list of sustainable agriculture methods.

As a teacher and researcher, my specific area of interest is in comparing chemical and organic systems. Organic food production in the US and internationally is expanding rapidly. In 1980, retail sales of organic products earned approximately $78 million. In 1997, the U. S. Market was over $4 billion, with an annual growth rate of more than 20%. European Union consumers are estimated at spending $4.5 billion on organically produced food. Last year, Japanese consumers paid $1.7 billion on the organic market. Much of this increase in demand is due to the perception that organic foods are healthier, with less chemical residues, and grown in a way that is more in harmony with the ecology of the farming environment. The United States Department of Agriculture is currently working on developing national certification standards that will assure consumers that food crops grown under an organic label meets certain production criteria.

Two years ago, along with a group from Rodale Institute, I visited Misono and several farmers practicing Natural Agriculture. I was very impressed with the enthusiasm of the farmers we met and the quality of food that we enjoyed at the Miho museum cafeteria. As a scientist and educator, I was inspired to learn more about Natural Agriculture. How does a farmer grow with Natural Agriculture methods? How does Natural Agriculture compare with other forms of agricultural production? How can Natural Agriculture be explained to other farmers? Beyond the practical aspects of the mechanics of production, how are those who practice Natural Agriculture affected philosophically and spiritually by using this form of agricultural production? Few people outside of Japan and even outside of Shinji Shumeikai have ever heard about Natural Agriculture. Even fewer use Natural Agricultural principles in producing agricultural crops.

The practice of Natural Agriculture is very young compared to the evolution of food and fiber crop cultivation by man beginning around 10,000 B. C. However, the philosophy of the natural connection between man and his environment and how all organisms influence each other is written about in ancient Sanskrit manuscripts and spoken of in Native American folklore. The practice of Natural Agriculture is also very individualized based on the interpretation and relationship of each farmer with his/her farming site and understanding of Meishusama’s teachings. Farmers are not only growing crops, but they are also spiritually connected to their land. To understand and explain Natural Agriculture is a more difficult task compared to the conventional analysis of cause and effect scientific inquiry. Other types of agricultural production have specific, prescribed methods regardless of who does the farming or where the farming occurs. Scientists are trained to examine our relationship to nature by manipulating or controlling biological activities to explain the cause and effect relationship. In Natural Agriculture, nature informs and affects the farmer to influence him/her to grow crops in a certain fashion, which is most beneficial for all in that ecosystem. To design an experiment in such a way to evaluate a Natural Agriculture system must then be very different than the standard scientific inquiry. For example, what practices are to be included as appropriate to Natural Agriculture? How would you explain or demonstrate the spiritual connection between the farmer and his/her plants?

In June 1998, a presentation was given to the Natural Agriculture committee of Shinji Shumeikai to propose a long-term agriculture research project to investigate Natural Agriculture in a scientific inquiry. The goals of the project are to see if Natural Agriculture can be practiced in California, to compare Natural Agriculture with a chemical and organic system of production, and to demonstrate to visitors these different systems of production. The project was accepted by Shinji Shumeikai to initially sponsor a five-year program to compare vegetable production under conventional chemical, organic, and Natural Agriculture systems. An advisory board was established to review the design and results of the experiment. A group of Cal Poly Pomona faculty was also organized to advise and work with students interested in participating on the project in a multi-disciplinary approach.

During the fall, the project design was evaluated and redesigned several times to select practices and comparisons that would evaluate and demonstrate the basic practices in each system. In traditional research comparisons, only one or a few variables are evaluated with all other inputs and conditions being the same in all systems. In this project, because the philosophy and acceptable practices differ significantly, a whole system approach was applied. Under these conditions, each system includes multiple variables based on the accepted practices used in that farming system. Evaluation is then based on comparing the whole system compared to specific variables. Selected parameters are chosen to show changes in each system over time. Information will be collected on soil conditions, insect populations, disease levels, plant nutrient levels, and yields. Crops were selected that can be grown in the southern California climate which would be of interest to local consumers and comparable to Japanese crops. Last winter, Tsuyoshi Nakano, became a graduate student in the Horticulture, Plant and Soil Science department. He joined the research team by taking the lead on applying his Natural Agriculture experiences in Japan to the California field experiments. Yoshi has farmed near his home in the Fukoka prefecture for many years before coming to the United States to study agriculture. Pedro Torres, an undergraduate agriculture student who is studying sustainable agriculture, worked as a field assistant. During the winter, the research site grew wheat to increase soil organic matter, allow time to eliminate any possible previously used contaminants, and to prevent erosion during the rainy season. Mother Nature also decided to present us with a gopher infestation, which took several months to eliminate. During spring and early summer, the fields were prepared for planting. The research plots were mapped and outlined in the field. Tomato and eggplant seedlings were started in the greenhouse.

This summer three College of Agriculture student workers joined the research team. A permanent irrigation system was designed and installed. Corn, soybean, and green bean seeds were planted in the three systems. Mid-summer the tomato and eggplant were transplanted into their designated sections. Maintenance of the research site continues throughout the summer and varies depending on the system. In the chemical system, synthetic fertilizers and insecticides are used. In the organic system, approved biological controls are applied as needed along with mechanical weeding. The Natural Agriculture system receives no external inputs except a wheat straw compost on the ground surface and hand weeding. During the summer, students also collect soil, insect, and plant samples to compare growth and changing conditions in each system. Harvesting is expected to occur in September.

Over the next four years, winter and summer crops will be grown and changes in each system measured. We will be establishing an electronic web site this fall to provide current updates as to activities and results from the project. In the future we hope to incorporate individual student projects into the research program to investigate specific questions, such as nutrient analysis of the plants, and expand our analysis of changes in soil chemical properties.

The current program primarily addresses the biological systems and farming practices. The question of the philosophical and spiritual relationship of the farmer to the farm is still being considered to determine an appropriate mechanism to evaluate this relationship. This fall the research site will be used for class demonstrations and to introduce students to the concepts of Natural Agriculture. Visitors are always welcome to the research field. To arrange a tour call the Cal Poly Pomona office at 909-869-2188 or email at "Mailto:dljerkins@csupomona.edu"

Students, faculty, and farmers are interested in this project because it brings to the western agriculture farmers a new method of farming. The Natural Agriculture philosophy can also enhance the emerging understanding that we are connected to our environment and must respect that connection to sustain a healthy life and the environment in which to live. I would like to thank Shinji Shumeikai for supporting this innovative work and having faith that Natural Agriculture can be translated into a western agricultural model. The role of the scientist is to be challenged by finding reason and understanding to what we find difficult to understand or can’t explain. The Bible says, "all things will be revealed in appropriate timing". Meishusama knew that others would come in time to investigate the practices of Natural Agriculture.

FROM SHUMEI MAGAZINE, VOL. 224, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 1999