This farm has gone from eight or nine people, when I took it on, to fourteen full-time now. Also, a lot of organic farmers are involved in local marketing and that increases employment. So it has a very big role to play. Putting more people on the land is a very healthy way of providing work. At present in the uk hardly three per cent of people are working on the land, because the conventional farms are highly mechanized.
Organic farms tend to be smaller and more labour-intensive.
Therefore, going organic is bound to bring more people onto the land. That can only be a good thing. Working on the land brings good health, as well as other spiritual and social benefits. Sophie Poklewski Koziell is co-author of Gathering Force. DIY Culture Radical Action for those Tired of Waiting.