14
Subtle Agroecologies
Some re-imagined farming approaches of today do include subtle techniques, such as Shumei
Natural Farming from Japan, which aims to help individuals understand the natural laws and principles of the universe (Jerkins, 2012), and Sustainable Yogic Agriculture that derives from the Brahma
Kumaris spiritual community in India and intends to harness the power of the human mind (Pandey
et al., 2015).
In terms of research, and even accounting for that from the biodynamic movement, the scientifc knowledge base on Subtle Agroecologies is also relatively small. Almost completely disregarded within agricultural research, other disciplines are circling more closely to shed light
on the underlying concepts and mechanics of Subtle Agroecologies. Each of these contributes
a small piece of a jigsaw puzzle whose whole picture is yet to be revealed. The science of sonochemistry, for example, explores the use of sound energy as a driving force for chemical transformations, and has been applied to enhance seed germination (Pour et al., 2016). Similarly,
in the feld of structural and molecular biology, research has investigated the effects of magnetic felds on germination, growth, development, and yield of plants (Teixeira da Silva and
Dobránszki, 2016). From theoretical physics, David Peat examines the interface between quantum science and indigenous cosmologies and epistemologies (2012). Transpersonal psychologist
Travis Cox explores the ideological and metaphysical underpinnings of alternative agricultural
philosophies and coins the term ‘transpersonal agroecologies’ to include the processes and
experiences of interaction with other-than-human beings on the farm (Cox, 2014). Similarly,
Jack Hunter’s curated compilation Greening the Paranormal (2019) deals directly with the
fundamental issues of belief systems, ecology, consciousness, inter-species communication and
reconnection to place. In particular, Hunter draws attention to the concept of re-enchantment
in relation to academia as an antidote to the materialistic worldview, quoting Voss and Wilson
(2017: 13),
To feel enchanted is to step through a hidden portal into another way of seeing, into a new reality, where
the reasonable, the certain, the measurable, and the predictable give way to the awesome, the wonderful, the delightful, the paradoxical, and the uncertain – and perhaps even the longing of the soul for
some other kind of life beyond the exigencies of the everyday.
Hunter (2019: 39)
Outside of the formal research academy, individuals and groups of practitioner-researchers have
long been exploring this feld. Some are based in intentional communities which have, for several
decades, been exploring the deep connection between humans and nature in relation to food production (e.g. Caddy, 1978; Small-Wright, 1993). Others have formed farmer learning groups on the
cutting edge of agroecology and regenerative agriculture. For example, an Australian farm education provider offers training ‘where you learn how to effectively manage subtle energy to improve
your proftability’ (RCS, 2020). In another example, a selection of farm advisors from the USA and
Australia have been interviewed about the energetic dimensions of nutrition farming (Sait, 2003).
One of those interviewed, Prof. Philip Callahan (1923–2017), built up a substantial body of knowledge on the use of nonlinear far-infrared radiation for insect control, as well as on the application of
paramagnetism in agriculture (2003: 142). Another interviewee, Hugh Lovel (1947–2020), discusses
his seminal work ‘Quantum Agriculture’ how this new and evolving method of agriculture applies
the discoveries in quantum physics and quantum biology to scientifcally growing food of the highest quality. In his own book, Lovel (2014) explores specifc techniques including the astronomical
planting calendar, agricultural homeopathy, dowsing and radionics, weather moderation, energy
balancing and alchemy.
Similarly inspired by quantum concepts is Henk Kieft (2019), an agricultural engineer whose
curiosity was piqued when he met a group of Dutch farmers who had been experimenting with
‘unconventional’ farming techniques, such as playing music to dairy cows, yet were unable to fnd
more information, support or interest from either agricultural extensionists or researchers. Mindful
Subtle Agroecologies
Some re-imagined farming approaches of today do include subtle techniques, such as Shumei
Natural Farming from Japan, which aims to help individuals understand the natural laws and principles of the universe (Jerkins, 2012), and Sustainable Yogic Agriculture that derives from the Brahma
Kumaris spiritual community in India and intends to harness the power of the human mind (Pandey
et al., 2015).
In terms of research, and even accounting for that from the biodynamic movement, the scientifc knowledge base on Subtle Agroecologies is also relatively small. Almost completely disregarded within agricultural research, other disciplines are circling more closely to shed light
on the underlying concepts and mechanics of Subtle Agroecologies. Each of these contributes
a small piece of a jigsaw puzzle whose whole picture is yet to be revealed. The science of sonochemistry, for example, explores the use of sound energy as a driving force for chemical transformations, and has been applied to enhance seed germination (Pour et al., 2016). Similarly,
in the feld of structural and molecular biology, research has investigated the effects of magnetic felds on germination, growth, development, and yield of plants (Teixeira da Silva and
Dobránszki, 2016). From theoretical physics, David Peat examines the interface between quantum science and indigenous cosmologies and epistemologies (2012). Transpersonal psychologist
Travis Cox explores the ideological and metaphysical underpinnings of alternative agricultural
philosophies and coins the term ‘transpersonal agroecologies’ to include the processes and
experiences of interaction with other-than-human beings on the farm (Cox, 2014). Similarly,
Jack Hunter’s curated compilation Greening the Paranormal (2019) deals directly with the
fundamental issues of belief systems, ecology, consciousness, inter-species communication and
reconnection to place. In particular, Hunter draws attention to the concept of re-enchantment
in relation to academia as an antidote to the materialistic worldview, quoting Voss and Wilson
(2017: 13),
To feel enchanted is to step through a hidden portal into another way of seeing, into a new reality, where
the reasonable, the certain, the measurable, and the predictable give way to the awesome, the wonderful, the delightful, the paradoxical, and the uncertain – and perhaps even the longing of the soul for
some other kind of life beyond the exigencies of the everyday.
Hunter (2019: 39)
Outside of the formal research academy, individuals and groups of practitioner-researchers have
long been exploring this feld. Some are based in intentional communities which have, for several
decades, been exploring the deep connection between humans and nature in relation to food production (e.g. Caddy, 1978; Small-Wright, 1993). Others have formed farmer learning groups on the
cutting edge of agroecology and regenerative agriculture. For example, an Australian farm education provider offers training ‘where you learn how to effectively manage subtle energy to improve
your proftability’ (RCS, 2020). In another example, a selection of farm advisors from the USA and
Australia have been interviewed about the energetic dimensions of nutrition farming (Sait, 2003).
One of those interviewed, Prof. Philip Callahan (1923–2017), built up a substantial body of knowledge on the use of nonlinear far-infrared radiation for insect control, as well as on the application of
paramagnetism in agriculture (2003: 142). Another interviewee, Hugh Lovel (1947–2020), discusses
his seminal work ‘Quantum Agriculture’ how this new and evolving method of agriculture applies
the discoveries in quantum physics and quantum biology to scientifcally growing food of the highest quality. In his own book, Lovel (2014) explores specifc techniques including the astronomical
planting calendar, agricultural homeopathy, dowsing and radionics, weather moderation, energy
balancing and alchemy.
Similarly inspired by quantum concepts is Henk Kieft (2019), an agricultural engineer whose
curiosity was piqued when he met a group of Dutch farmers who had been experimenting with
‘unconventional’ farming techniques, such as playing music to dairy cows, yet were unable to fnd
more information, support or interest from either agricultural extensionists or researchers. Mindful