These new lands were like an endless supply of abundance, and like spoiled children in a candy store, the newcomers grabbed, and crushed, and fought to control. The Indigenous Peoples who had inhabited this place for a very long time, and did it with love and respect, were systematically dismantled, because they were in the way of control. Oh! The wisdom we could’ve gained, the truths of caring for the balance of all of life here, for harvest and plenty, without destroying it all! The loss is beyond any price.
It’s been said that the only limit to the future is labor, and a regulation by competition. It couldn’t be more untrue. Future limits are already being sharply felt, based on this premise. Resources, such as clean water, fertile soil, and breathable air – all of which we MUST have to survive – point directly at the limits. These three are all that hold our existence, and without them, life ceases. Those deeply invested in “big ag”, and all it’s toys, fight hard against relearning agriculture. They argue against those who have shown by example, that all the machinery, implements, and chemical inputs, that “big ag” make their living off of, are not necessary. In fact, they bring about great harm to every living thing.
Why is it so hard to see the wall in front of us? Why do we fight so hard, against making the changes necessary to start healing our only source of air, food, water? It matters not how much property one owns, how many millions are in the bank, or what kind of power one wields, without those three endangered resources, death is inevitable.
Are you a believer in “taking dominion over the earth”? I strongly suggest you do some research to find out exactly what that quote really says, and how it’s been interpreted. While you’re at it, look up what it means to be a good husbandman to this planet.
My aim has been to help us look deeply at where we really came from, and where we’re headed if we don’t make changes, starting with our thinking.
Extinction is the death of ALL MEMBERS of a SPECIES of plants or animals. I’ve mentioned a couple near extinctions. Now I want to tell you about one that most folks wouldn’t even think of; the passenger pigeon. They were very plentiful until just before the tractor was invented. Slow-movers, they were easily trapped and shot, and were a cheap food source. Commercially, hunters killed them in great numbers. The last member of that entire species, died in 1914. You don’t care?? Here are a few more. The dodo bird – in 1690; Stellar’s sea cow – in 1870; Tasmanian wolf – in 1936; Hawaii chaff flower – 1962; St Helena olive tree – in 2004. Why? Modern humans. Industrialization, loss of habitat, toxic inputs, lack of understanding of the value of each part, to the whole.
Why does all of this matter? Regenerative agriculture takes in all parts of the planet, and how each part fits to make a complete picture. Humans don’t get to choose their favorite parts to keep alive, while they wipe out the parts they don’t like. This includes predators. They’re a very necessary part of the cycle. Are some of them overpopulated? Yes. How did it get that way? Human intervention in the balance of plant, animal, water, soil. We’re not the superior decision makers. We’re part of the picture, not the entire picture. No more. No less.
I can hear the screaming now; “she’s an anti-hunter!...she doesn’t eat meat!...she’s “one of those!” None of these judgements are true. I’m a supporter of ethical hunting, respect for the life one takes, and never taking more than your share. I believe in conservation and protection of all species. I do eat meat – humanely and cleanly grown and harvested, with respect for the value of that life to my health. We don’t grow our own meat, but we know who grows and harvests it, and we’re always grateful for the life given.
I don’t eat meat that comes from a factory farm, where animals are treated with ultimate disrespect, and are only valued for the money they bring. These are called Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFO’s. If an animal must be grown, and die in those inhumane conditions, so that I can eat a hamburger, I’ll do without. Love and respect for all of life begins with the changing of the mind, and that’s where the healing of our vital, only planet can begin.
I ask you to take a moment and think about how many lives it takes to keep you alive, healthy, and living your life? How quickly would you change your mind, your practices, your support, if you suddenly learned that someone you love dearly, is very sick because of a human-caused environmental situation? We’re there, folks. It’s time. Change must begin right here, with each of us.
By Sherrie Ottinger
