Comments on: Fortuitous Agricultural Laziness

By: suzysatsuma

suzysatsuma — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:58:12 +0000

Wow. This laziness epiphany reminded me of the Japanese “natural farmer” Fukuoka and his advocacy of do-nothing farming. I remember holding his book, “The One Straw Revolution,” in my hands in the agricultural library as an undergrad pondering the non-productive possibilities that might lead to something as tangible and palpable as an ear of corn.
suzy.

By: OrgoCowboy

OrgoCowboy — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:11:20 +0000

I read your comment while digesting two ears of said laziness-cultivated corn. I’m realizing I have to be less lazy when it comes to harvesting: worms are also enjoying the corn, and what looks to be a winter’s worth of Anasazi beans are also ready for picking, drying, and storying in giant mason jars for February burritos.

Meanwhile, just as early “scientists” believed maggots generated from pasta, so might you be on to something with food materializing from books. Sounds like something Borges would have written.

By: herbie

herbie — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:22:09 +0000

there can be a downside to the weed thing: great green horned caterpillars hiding, gnawing away at your tomatoes. after 2 mos away from mine i’m sure with you on that smear of stars though.

By: OrgoCowboy

OrgoCowboy — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 05:05:50 +0000

My theory: if I ignore the caterpillars, they’re not eating my tomatoes. It works with Republicans, too. They absolutely MAUL my brussel sprouts.

By: Christy

Christy — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:56:49 +0000

I think the root vegetables are pretty storm-proof. Potatoes, carrots….also weed-friendly.

Glycemically terrible though, if you are a closet Atkins person, out there in the wilderness counting carbs, so you can come out of your “40 days in the wilderness” looking ripped….

By: OrgoCowboy

OrgoCowboy — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:48:49 +0000

That’s what it’s really about for me: surface appearances. I’d like to reduce my dependence on oil and perhaps inspire others to do the same, but only if I can do it in spotless Carhartts and well-pressed cowboy shirts. Dirt — goat manure excepted — is so 20th Century.

By: christy

christy — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:22:20 +0000

In all seriousness I wonder how to nudge people out of inertia. What images make a person want to do the unnatural or uncomfortable thing. (Breaking energy habits, in this case)

I guess sometimes it’s morality making people change. But that’s just the thinkers. What to do about the shallow majority? If they won’t read your book, would you like to become some sort of “brand” being instantly recognizable, “Oh, there’s the Green Guy! I guess I could ride my bike to work….”

Do you have a long-term artistic plan? Things you wouldn’t say or do for the cause?

If you got a six-pack of abs out there, starving…..would you display them on the book jacket if it meant more sales or converts?

I’ll read your book and see…..