A Non Violent Farmer

“There is something fundamentally wrong in treating the Earth as if it were a business in liquidation.” ― Herman E. Daly

"Whenever people say ‘We mustn’t be sentimental’ you can take it they are about to do something cruel. And if they add ‘We must be realistic’ they mean they are going to make money out of it."

~ Brigid Brophy

Farmer Marc Millitzer practices a form of non violent farming that springs first from his spiritual devotion. He defines non violent farming as the practice of "growing food while promoting the life force". 

His cutting edge vision of non violent farming has inspired him to devise precepts for it. Among these principles he mentions the goal of approaching the work "with great awareness and humility" and the trying to avoid harming any living creature- including bugs! He goes by the philosophy that "the non violent farmer lives every moment to serve and promote life". 

He is a wizard of soil alchemy; employing well known techniques such as crop rotation, avoiding over tilling, and giving the land a rest; but also subtle magic, such as prayerfully approaching the garden, warning the critters when he is coming to disturb things, and singing and chanting. He never uses any soil amendment 'resulting from violent or wrongful death'. He plants extra, expecting to share with the creatures who are around.

As for pests, he finds that ascertaining what the plant wants and needs, and providing it, allows the plant to be healthy and naturally fend off pests, or simply not attract them in the first place. "Bugs and fungus can be our greatest allies if we let them, and if we nurture an environment of balance and respect".

When drought was ravaging his state and devastating the crops of his neighbors, his farm was green and thriving. His neighbors were amazed.

Last year his little eight acre veggie farm produced over 50,000 pounds of food! Also, his permaculture 'food forest' is growing and developing.  "We produce enough food here to feed hundreds of people daily, all without chemicals, sprays, or supporting violence. When we promote life, the garden becomes a teeming web of interwoven connections, all helping each other to produce joyous abundance!"

  "Wisdom is often nearer when we stoop than when we soar."-Wordsworth

(On the sacred quality of the seed:)