As a result, we are investigating the feasibility of perennial polycultures or mixtures of perennial grains. No other organization has sought to do this. After publishing numerous papers in scientific refereed journals, writing books, and making many presentations here and abroad, The Land Institute receives attention worldwide for its ideas. The functions of a natural system can be achieved by mimicking its structure. The first impetus to search for a new agriculture was soil loss and soil pollution.
Agricultural chemicals poison our soils and our waters and harm people.
Most importantly, a quarter to a third of our topsoil is gone 200 years after opening this country to agriculture. Natural Systems Agriculture would leave the ground unplowed for years and use few or no chemicals, solving many environmental problems at their root.