We call this Natural Systems Agriculture. No other organization has sought this solution to growing food. After publishing numerous papers in refereed scientific journals, writing books, and making many presentations here and abroad, The Land Institute is receiving attention worldwide for its ideas. The functions of a natural system, it is now apparent, 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 third to half of our topsoil is gone since the opening of our land 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. We believe the discovered principles of Natural Systems Agriculture will be applicable to other ecosystems as well, especially agro-forestry and fisheries. We are also working on principles for rural human communities whose goal is to thrive within the ecological limits of their places. The non-profit Land Institute depends on the support of individuals, foundations, and corporations.