I watch with paranoid panic, wanting to believe all will be fine while terrified I may lose the crop and even the farm. I need a lesson on managing chaos. Enhancing our sustainability in agriculture is, in many ways, an attempt to build in flexibility that works with, rather than resists, rapid change. They look for ways to enhance the buffering that occurs in biologicallybased systems, rather than merely treating immediate problems and symptoms. They are based upon participatory teams, in which the farmers, scientists and consultants are equal partners in research and education,very similar to Peter' concept of selfmanaging teams.
Experts say the shift to selfmanaged teams takes years of training and preparation.
Perhaps that similarity is why Masumoto's book, subtitled Four Seasons on My Family Farm , is such an enjoyable illustration of many of Peters' management themes. Whether they know it or not, seasoned farmers are already experts at chaos. Those of us who work for the University of California or other public or private organizations that support the agricultural community may take comfort in the fact both an internationally respected management expert and a successful farmer agree it is not possible or always desirable to have all the answers. Masumoto and Peters, unlikely soul mates, know from experience it may be better to have a flexible system of management in place so that the vagaries of life and land can be received with enthusiasm.