Once again we are joined by educator, author, and permaculture activist Larry Korn to continue our discussion of the life and philosophy of Masanobu Fukuoka. Topics of discussion include Larry’s relationship with Fukuoka through the years, the translation and publication of The One Straw Revolution, Fukuoka’s world travels, his hope for the future of world agriculture, the making of seed balls, and the difficulties Fukuoka had in conveying his message to others.
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7 responses to “Episode #106: The One Straw Revolution”
Thanks so much. This was exactly what I needed to here right when I needed to here it. Larry brought up a very good point ( of which I plan to put to work immediately) using the seed balls for guerrilla gardening. It also made me think of gorilla gardening, in which at the right time of year you eat the seeds of a plant that you want to grow, and the fallowing day you deposit it in a “care package” where you want to have it grow.
In any event I feel that both gorilla and guerrilla gardening will be important in the future and are important now, easy to do, and user friendly.
Thanks again,
Travis
Fukuoka’s method is inspiring to me at a deep level, but he himself suggested that the dozens of specific interactions (insect, arachnid, bird, microbe, weed, weather, timing, etc) on his land would require years of recalibrating on any other piece of land. A decade or more of his career was marked by what must have been expensive failures, and he was always dedicated to rice and citrus. I cannot find documentation of any successful followers except one man, Kawaguchi Yoshikazu. Another archetypal natural farmer, Sepp Holzer, seems to have had more up-front success (from childhood onward) but has faced enormous legal hurdles and fines in his work.
Another Japanese grower, Takao Furuno, seems like an easier person to follow, and it is claimed that tens of thousands of smallholders throughout Asia use his techniques. His book “Power of Duck” is very straightforward (but very badly edited!)… I feel like I could start such a farm system — a duck/rice/fish/waterplant/green manure polyculture with timed duck grazing, electric fencing, and floodable paddies.
This is the best most comprehensive and thoughtful interview I have heard. Thank you from a fan of Masanobu Fukuoka and Keyline!
The One Straw Revolution is a very much needed Realization: simple, practical, honest, and deeply aware. It is not a subjugation of nature nor a living within nature but rather an inseparable state of interbeing with nature. So beautiful!
Silent Temple
Fukuoka has dozens of successors and followers all over Japan. Some of them worked together with Fukuoka but more are inspired by his books.
Probably most famous guy these days is Akinori Kimura, who grows mainly apples in Aomori, North Japan.
thank you this is great, really engaging and especially Larry’s insight is so valuable now Masanobu has passed away
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