Whole system approach to soil and crop management

“[W]e need to learn to design farms, farming systems and landscapes to take advantage of the inherent strengths of natural systems, using minimal amounts of external interventions (inputs). Ideally, we would like to have agroecosystems that are productive but without the many negative ‘externalities’—or unwanted side effects—of conventional agriculture. We would like agricultural ecosystems to demonstrate characteristics of strong ecosystems—efficiency, diversity, self-sufficiency, self-regulation and resilience. The only way to really come close to reaching these goals is to view farms and fields as systems and approach them as such…. And we must remember, of course, that ecologically managed agricultural ecosystems, while mimicking strong natural ecosystems, are still purposefully disturbed systems that will not look or function the same as natural systems.”

Building Soils for Better Crops / Fred Madgoff and Harold Van Es