Spirituality

Spirituality and religion are interesting topics when it comes to farming, as Davis and I discussed during our meeting last Friday.

Most farmers I know, while perhaps not practicing a common religion, have some inherent sense of spirituality, and it comes forth when they are farming. I've noted that a lot of the farmers I've met seem to have some variant of Christian undertones to their personal spirituality. I don't know why; it's not something that I feel altogether comfortable approaching them about. Perhaps it's Biblical land stewardship, maybe it's being grateful to God for bestowing the means to feed ourselves. I don't know, but I'd love to know more about the spirituality of the farmer.

My family of farmers is somewhat different. My mother claims to have some paganistic beliefs, while my father describes himself as a filthy heathen. I consider myself to fall somewhere in between, but overall we're a family of atheists.

I don't believe in a God. I don't believe in multiple gods. There is no higher power, no greater spirit. There are people. People can be individuals, or they can operate as a common force by sharing values and goals. The phrase "something bigger than us," to me, isn't some sort of god, it is the entire population. Everybody working together, besides being some sort of idealism, is the only sort of greater governing force I can believe in.

I have immense respect for the earth. I respect the soil, the water, the air. I respect the plants and animals. The earth and all of its constituents are what allows us, humans, to have life. How you can lack respect for what keeps you alive? My mother undoubtedly has a much closer relationship with, and thus greater respect for, the earth. She works the land: she farms it. She reaps what she can sow (figuratively and literally), and it is all made possible by what the earth provides her with.

I understand the intense relationship between farmer and earth. I do not experience it firsthand much, but I respect it, condone it, encourage it. The relationship can be spiritual.

I like farming and food systems because they are real. Food is physical, tangible, and scientifically explainable. I like agriculture because it is only possible/successful through a combination of scientific logic and passion. You can thank God for giving you a good corn crop this season; I prefer to thank the farmer for putting the right combination of skill, wisdom, and care into his field.


I don't want to save the world. I want to save my piece of it. Everyone should save their piece of the world. There's no point in me working to save the whole thing unless everyone else wants, and tries to do, the same thing.

One basic way to expand our efficacy is through modern science
and technology. But another is through integrated (emotional, mental,
physical, and spiritual) growth and enhanced wisdom. This means
growing in our sense of connection with nature and one another and
learning to live in ways that naturally cultivate our capacity to be human.
-Peter Senge