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One-Straw Revolutionary: The Philosophy and Work of Masanobu Fukuoka
One-Straw Revolutionary represents the first commentary on the work of the late Japanese farmer and philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka (1913 – 2008), widely considered to be natural farming’s most influential practitioner. Mr. Fukuoka is perhaps most known for his bestselling book The One-Straw Revolution (1978), a manifesto on the importance of no-till agriculture, which was at the time of publication a radical challenge to the global systems that supply the world’s food, and still inspires readers today. Larry Korn, who apprenticed with Mr. Fukuoka in Japan at the time, translated the manuscript and brought it to the United States, knowing it would change the conversation about food forever. The One-Straw Revolution , edited by Korn and Wendell Berry, was an immediate international success, and established Mr. Fukuoka as a leading voice in the fight against conventional industrial agriculture. In this new book, through his own personal narrative, Larry Korn distills his experience of more than thirty-five years of study with Mr. Fukuoka, living and working on his farm on Shikoku Island, and traveling with Mr. Fukuoka to the United States on two six-week visits.
One-Straw Revolutionary is the first book to look deeply at natural farming and intimately discuss the philosophy and work of Mr. Fukuoka. In addition to giving his personal thoughts about natural farming, Korn broadens the discussion by pointing out natural farming’s kinship with the ways of indigenous cultures and traditional Japanese farming. At the same time, he clearly distinguishes natural farming from other forms of agriculture, including scientific and organic agriculture and permaculture. Korn also clarifies commonly held misconceptions about natural farming in ways Western readers can readily understand. And he explains how natural farming can be used practically in areas other than agriculture, including personal growth and development.
The book follows the author on his travels from one back-to-the-land commune to another in the countryside of 1970s Japan, a journey that eventually led him to Mr. Fukuoka’s natural farm. Korn’s description of his time there, as well as traveling with Mr. Fukuoka during his visits to the United States, offers a rare, inside look at Mr. Fukuoka’s life. Readers will delight in this personal insight into one of the world’s leading agricultural thinkers.
One-Straw Revolutionary is the first book to look deeply at natural farming and intimately discuss the philosophy and work of Mr. Fukuoka. In addition to giving his personal thoughts about natural farming, Korn broadens the discussion by pointing out natural farming’s kinship with the ways of indigenous cultures and traditional Japanese farming. At the same time, he clearly distinguishes natural farming from other forms of agriculture, including scientific and organic agriculture and permaculture. Korn also clarifies commonly held misconceptions about natural farming in ways Western readers can readily understand. And he explains how natural farming can be used practically in areas other than agriculture, including personal growth and development.
The book follows the author on his travels from one back-to-the-land commune to another in the countryside of 1970s Japan, a journey that eventually led him to Mr. Fukuoka’s natural farm. Korn’s description of his time there, as well as traveling with Mr. Fukuoka during his visits to the United States, offers a rare, inside look at Mr. Fukuoka’s life. Readers will delight in this personal insight into one of the world’s leading agricultural thinkers.
240 pages, Paperback
First published August 21, 2015
29 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Larry Korn
11 books3 followersLarry Korn is an American who lived and worked on the farm of Masanobu Fukuoka for more than two years in the early 1970s. He is translator and editor of the English language edition of Mr. Fukuoka's The One-Straw Revolution, editor of his later work, Sowing Seeds in the Desert, and author of One-Straw Revolutionary. Larry traveled with Mr. Fukuoka on his visits to the United States in 1979 and 1986. He studied Asian history, soil science, and plant nutrition at the University of California, Berkeley, and has worked in wholesale and retail nurseries, as a soil scientist for the California Department of Forestry, and as a residential landscape contractor in the San Francisco Bay Area. Larry has taught many courses about natural farming, permaculture, and local food production throughout the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 1, 2015
Long, long ago, hip folks in the Beatles era were jabbering about Masanobu Fukuoka’s book, The One-Straw Revolution. It explained how he grew healthy food via natural farming, a low budget, low impact approach. On his farm in Japan, Fukuoka was growing grain, fruit, and vegetables without plowing, cultivating, chemicals, compost, fertilizer, fossil energy, erosion, pruning, or regular weeding. He farmed like this for more than 25 years, and his yields were comparable to those at conventional farms.
The Japanese edition of his book was published in 1975, at a time when oil shocks had spurred interest in energy efficiency. When the English version was published in 1978, it was an international smash hit, and Fukuoka became a celebrity. Larry Korn was the book’s translator. He’s a California lad who worked on Fukuoka’s farm for more than two years. Now, in 2015, Korn has published One-Straw Revolutionary, which is the subject of this review. It describes Fukuoka the man, and his philosophy, with glowing praise.
Korn detests conventional industrial farming, because it has so many drawbacks. A bit less troublesome is organic farming done on an industrial scale. At the positive end of the spectrum, he sees Fukuoka’s natural farming as very close to the ideal, both environmentally and philosophically. A bit less wonderful than natural farming are permaculture and old-fashioned small-scale organic farming.
The ideal is something like the California Indians that were fondly described in M. Kat Anderson’s book, Tending the Wild. They were wild hunter-gatherers who included wild plant seeds in their diet. They devoted special care to the wild plant species that were important to their way of life. Most folks would consider this to be mindful foraging — tending, not farming.
These Indians did not till the soil, and were not warlike. Nobody owned the land. There were no masters or servants. There was no market system or tax collectors. They had a time-proven method for living, and this knowledge was carefully passed from generation to generation. The Indians were wild, free, and living sustainably — in the original meaning of the word. When the Spanish invaders arrived, they saw these Indians as lazy, because they worked so little.
Fukuoka, on the other hand, resided in a densely populated industrial civilization, which was eagerly adapting American style industrial agriculture. While the Indians foraged in a healthy wild ecosystem, Fukuoka worked on an ecosystem that had been heavily altered by centuries of agriculture. He raised domesticated plants and animals. Fukuoka was experimenting with radically unconventional methods, and had no traditions or mentors to guide him.
He practiced natural farming on one acre (0.4 ha) of grain field, and ten acres (4 ha) devoted to a mix of fruit trees and vegetables. When Korn arrived in 1974, Fukuoka was assisted by five apprentices, who were not at all lazy, and rarely had a day off. Cash had to be generated to purchase necessities and pay taxes, so surplus food had to be produced. Thus, his natural farming was quite different from California tending.
On the plus side, Fukuoka’s experiment benefitted from rich soil and generous rainfall — especially during the growing season. Vegetables could be grown year round in the mild climate, and two crops of grain could be harvested each year. On the down side, few succeeded in duplicating his success, even in Japan. It took years to get the operation working, requiring extra servings of intuition and good luck. Korn warned, “In most parts of North America and the world the specific method Mr. Fukuoka uses would be impractical.”
In the natural farming mindset, the strategy should not be guided by intellect; nature should run the show. Fukuoka talked to plants, asking them for guidance. When he planted the orchard, he added a mixture of 100 types of seeds to wet clay, made seed balls, and tossed the balls on the land. Seeds included grains, vegetables, flowers, clover, shrubs, and trees. Nature decided what thrived and what didn’t. Within a few years, a jungle of dense growth sorted itself out. But sometimes nature gave him a dope slap. In the early days, Fukuoka allowed nature to manage an existing orchard, and he was horrified to watch 400 trees die from insects and disease.
My work focuses on ecological sustainability, at a time when the original meaning of sustainability has largely been abandoned, and replaced by sparkly marketing hype. I go on full alert when I see “sustainable agriculture.” In my book, What is Sustainable, I took a look at what Korn calls “indigenous agriculture,” which is often imagined to be sustainable.
California tending was far different from the intensive corn farming on the other side of the Rockies, which led to soil depletion, erosion, population growth, health problems, warfare, and temporary civilizations like Cahokia. In his book Indians of North America, Harold E. Driver estimated that less than half of North America was inhabited by farmers, but 90 to 95 percent of Native Americans ate crop foods, indicating that farm country was densely populated. In corn country, defensive palisades surrounded many villages.
In 2015, humankind is temporarily in extreme overshoot, as the cheap energy bubble glides toward its sunset years, and the climate change storms are moving in. Obviously, feeding seven billion sustainably is impossible. At the same time, highly unsustainable industrial farming cannot continue feeding billions indefinitely. It’s essential that young folks have a good understanding of ecological sustainability, and our education system is doing a terrible job of informing them.
The California Indians provide an important example of a vital truth. When voluntary self-restraint was used to keep population below carrying capacity, people could live sustainably in a wild ecosystem via nothing more complex than hunting and foraging. They had no need for farming, with its many headaches, backaches, and heartaches.
Korn’s book got exciting near the end. Farming was just one facet of Fukuoka’s dream. As a young man, he attended an agriculture college, and then endured a dreary job as a plant inspector. His mind overloaded, his health fell apart, and he nearly died. In 1937, he had a beautiful vision, quit his job, and went back home to the farm.
In his vision, he suddenly realized that all life was one, and sacred. Nature was whole, healthy, and perfect — and nothing our ambitious intellects imagined could improve this harmonious unity in any way. Humans do not exist in a realm outside of nature, no matter what our teachers tell us. Heaven is where your feet are standing.
The world of 1937 was a filthy, crazy, overpopulated train wreck, and this was largely thanks to science, dogmas, and philosophies. Intellect alienated us from our “big life” home. Civilization had created a dysfunctional world that was far too complex. The lives of most people were no longer intimately connected to the natural world.
In agriculture, the herd of experts insisted that plowing, pruning, cultivating, chemicals, and weeding were mandatory for success. One after another, Fukuoka abandoned these required tasks, made some needed adjustments, and didn’t crash. His farm got simpler and healthier.
No other animals harm themselves by pursuing science. Fukuoka realized that people should be like birds. “Birds don’t run around carefully preparing fields, planting seeds, and harvesting food. They don’t create anything… they just receive what is there for them with a humble and grateful heart.” Bingo!
How can we reorient to nature? “For most of us, that process begins by unlearning most of the things we were taught when we were young.” The healing process requires abandoning many, many beliefs and behaviors that our culture encourages. We need to waste less, spend less, and earn less, take only what we need, and nothing more. “Wearing simple clothing, eating simple food, and living a humble, ordinary life elevates the human spirit by bringing us closer to the source of life.”
The Japanese edition of his book was published in 1975, at a time when oil shocks had spurred interest in energy efficiency. When the English version was published in 1978, it was an international smash hit, and Fukuoka became a celebrity. Larry Korn was the book’s translator. He’s a California lad who worked on Fukuoka’s farm for more than two years. Now, in 2015, Korn has published One-Straw Revolutionary, which is the subject of this review. It describes Fukuoka the man, and his philosophy, with glowing praise.
Korn detests conventional industrial farming, because it has so many drawbacks. A bit less troublesome is organic farming done on an industrial scale. At the positive end of the spectrum, he sees Fukuoka’s natural farming as very close to the ideal, both environmentally and philosophically. A bit less wonderful than natural farming are permaculture and old-fashioned small-scale organic farming.
The ideal is something like the California Indians that were fondly described in M. Kat Anderson’s book, Tending the Wild. They were wild hunter-gatherers who included wild plant seeds in their diet. They devoted special care to the wild plant species that were important to their way of life. Most folks would consider this to be mindful foraging — tending, not farming.
These Indians did not till the soil, and were not warlike. Nobody owned the land. There were no masters or servants. There was no market system or tax collectors. They had a time-proven method for living, and this knowledge was carefully passed from generation to generation. The Indians were wild, free, and living sustainably — in the original meaning of the word. When the Spanish invaders arrived, they saw these Indians as lazy, because they worked so little.
Fukuoka, on the other hand, resided in a densely populated industrial civilization, which was eagerly adapting American style industrial agriculture. While the Indians foraged in a healthy wild ecosystem, Fukuoka worked on an ecosystem that had been heavily altered by centuries of agriculture. He raised domesticated plants and animals. Fukuoka was experimenting with radically unconventional methods, and had no traditions or mentors to guide him.
He practiced natural farming on one acre (0.4 ha) of grain field, and ten acres (4 ha) devoted to a mix of fruit trees and vegetables. When Korn arrived in 1974, Fukuoka was assisted by five apprentices, who were not at all lazy, and rarely had a day off. Cash had to be generated to purchase necessities and pay taxes, so surplus food had to be produced. Thus, his natural farming was quite different from California tending.
On the plus side, Fukuoka’s experiment benefitted from rich soil and generous rainfall — especially during the growing season. Vegetables could be grown year round in the mild climate, and two crops of grain could be harvested each year. On the down side, few succeeded in duplicating his success, even in Japan. It took years to get the operation working, requiring extra servings of intuition and good luck. Korn warned, “In most parts of North America and the world the specific method Mr. Fukuoka uses would be impractical.”
In the natural farming mindset, the strategy should not be guided by intellect; nature should run the show. Fukuoka talked to plants, asking them for guidance. When he planted the orchard, he added a mixture of 100 types of seeds to wet clay, made seed balls, and tossed the balls on the land. Seeds included grains, vegetables, flowers, clover, shrubs, and trees. Nature decided what thrived and what didn’t. Within a few years, a jungle of dense growth sorted itself out. But sometimes nature gave him a dope slap. In the early days, Fukuoka allowed nature to manage an existing orchard, and he was horrified to watch 400 trees die from insects and disease.
My work focuses on ecological sustainability, at a time when the original meaning of sustainability has largely been abandoned, and replaced by sparkly marketing hype. I go on full alert when I see “sustainable agriculture.” In my book, What is Sustainable, I took a look at what Korn calls “indigenous agriculture,” which is often imagined to be sustainable.
California tending was far different from the intensive corn farming on the other side of the Rockies, which led to soil depletion, erosion, population growth, health problems, warfare, and temporary civilizations like Cahokia. In his book Indians of North America, Harold E. Driver estimated that less than half of North America was inhabited by farmers, but 90 to 95 percent of Native Americans ate crop foods, indicating that farm country was densely populated. In corn country, defensive palisades surrounded many villages.
In 2015, humankind is temporarily in extreme overshoot, as the cheap energy bubble glides toward its sunset years, and the climate change storms are moving in. Obviously, feeding seven billion sustainably is impossible. At the same time, highly unsustainable industrial farming cannot continue feeding billions indefinitely. It’s essential that young folks have a good understanding of ecological sustainability, and our education system is doing a terrible job of informing them.
The California Indians provide an important example of a vital truth. When voluntary self-restraint was used to keep population below carrying capacity, people could live sustainably in a wild ecosystem via nothing more complex than hunting and foraging. They had no need for farming, with its many headaches, backaches, and heartaches.
Korn’s book got exciting near the end. Farming was just one facet of Fukuoka’s dream. As a young man, he attended an agriculture college, and then endured a dreary job as a plant inspector. His mind overloaded, his health fell apart, and he nearly died. In 1937, he had a beautiful vision, quit his job, and went back home to the farm.
In his vision, he suddenly realized that all life was one, and sacred. Nature was whole, healthy, and perfect — and nothing our ambitious intellects imagined could improve this harmonious unity in any way. Humans do not exist in a realm outside of nature, no matter what our teachers tell us. Heaven is where your feet are standing.
The world of 1937 was a filthy, crazy, overpopulated train wreck, and this was largely thanks to science, dogmas, and philosophies. Intellect alienated us from our “big life” home. Civilization had created a dysfunctional world that was far too complex. The lives of most people were no longer intimately connected to the natural world.
In agriculture, the herd of experts insisted that plowing, pruning, cultivating, chemicals, and weeding were mandatory for success. One after another, Fukuoka abandoned these required tasks, made some needed adjustments, and didn’t crash. His farm got simpler and healthier.
No other animals harm themselves by pursuing science. Fukuoka realized that people should be like birds. “Birds don’t run around carefully preparing fields, planting seeds, and harvesting food. They don’t create anything… they just receive what is there for them with a humble and grateful heart.” Bingo!
How can we reorient to nature? “For most of us, that process begins by unlearning most of the things we were taught when we were young.” The healing process requires abandoning many, many beliefs and behaviors that our culture encourages. We need to waste less, spend less, and earn less, take only what we need, and nothing more. “Wearing simple clothing, eating simple food, and living a humble, ordinary life elevates the human spirit by bringing us closer to the source of life.”
September 5, 2017
"In nature there is life and death, and nature is joyful. In human society there it is life and death, and people live in sorrow"
This book has so many quotable quotes, but this one was towards the end and stuck with me. This book is as philosophical as it is about Fukoaka's journey into natural farming, if not more. It is the answer to all of humanity's problems, the current basis of society and the direction of "development" we are headed towards, explained so simply and beautifully- primarily because the solution is as simple as living according to human beings' natural instinct. The book is going to be my Bible for life!
This book has so many quotable quotes, but this one was towards the end and stuck with me. This book is as philosophical as it is about Fukoaka's journey into natural farming, if not more. It is the answer to all of humanity's problems, the current basis of society and the direction of "development" we are headed towards, explained so simply and beautifully- primarily because the solution is as simple as living according to human beings' natural instinct. The book is going to be my Bible for life!
February 7, 2025
In 1978, Masanobu Fukuoka published The One-Straw Revolution. Larry Korn, the author of this book, was a student of Fukuoka’s in the 1970’s on his farm in Japan, and also travelled with him in the US in the 70s and 80s.
Essentially, the book tells the story of natural farming. I found it interesting and relatable, as appreciated both Korn’s and Fukuoka’s observations of farming. And the Japanese culture aspects are also intriguing.
Essentially, the book tells the story of natural farming. I found it interesting and relatable, as appreciated both Korn’s and Fukuoka’s observations of farming. And the Japanese culture aspects are also intriguing.
February 4, 2021
So very interesting & thought-provoking.
November 15, 2018
One of those books that can show far we have come away from nature. Can completely relate to almost all the views, except for his opinion about science (I consider what he did is also a form of science) .
January 26, 2020
"There is no need to understand the world, just enjoy it"
This is a warm, thoughtful look back of an older man on the most formative time of his life, and in particular the mentor who helped foster it. By the time Larry Korn met Masanobu Fukuoka, Korn had already experienced his own sudden realization of falling both into and away from the conscious experience of his own farm labor. He found himself prepared to learn and share Fukuoka's quite learned unlearning, such as the approach of making clay seed pellets with a wide-variety of plants, which generate a randomized approach to planting that allow the crops to shift position from season-to-season.
Korn's approach to Fukuoka's story is almost entirely personal. After an initial biographical sketch of Fukuoka's life until their meeting, the next section is largely autobiographical in terms of the context leading to his interactions with Fukuoka as his student, his time as student, and then their travels together.
In the latter half of the book, Korn turns away from biography to his personal comparative comparative views of Fukuoka's natural farming compared to indigenous practices, traditional Japanese farming, organic farming, and permaculture. My understanding is that he viewed Fukuoka's practices as achieving a kind of re-indigenization transcending all in terms of natural balance except original indigenous practices themselves. In an appendix, he reprints a book review of Fukuoka's "The One Straw Revolution" from an indigenous newsletter, which suggests that this viewpoint was not alone on this front.
When reading, one gets the sense that there's quite a bit of idealization happening in these comparisons, but it's an unusually informed idealization, of one who has spend their time trying to study and live in that path. There's a certain warm sincerity of lifelong devotion that's churlish to argue with: the facts of the matter are not the point, really, whether or not they are right.
The scope of this book being about Fukuoka's work and philosophy means that other aspects of Fukuoka's life, such as his family life, are largely not mentioned. These gaps invite a certain speculation about the limits of what Fukuoka's approach could accomplish in the overall management of his own life. However, it is fair that these questions are not for Korn to tackle, given the depth of his love and respect for his teacher.
Overall, it's not necessarily a persuasive book, but it is a feel-good book. Importantly, it never really falls into negativity, staying away from ranting about the way things could have been better. It is instead a book of gratitude about how the author was given a different perspective, attitude, and life, and about how we could also have totally different lives if we took his teacher's lessons to heart. It's wonderful how you don't have to believe in that transformation to both respect that gratitude and frequently enjoy the life pleasure of exercising less control from time-to-time.
This is a warm, thoughtful look back of an older man on the most formative time of his life, and in particular the mentor who helped foster it. By the time Larry Korn met Masanobu Fukuoka, Korn had already experienced his own sudden realization of falling both into and away from the conscious experience of his own farm labor. He found himself prepared to learn and share Fukuoka's quite learned unlearning, such as the approach of making clay seed pellets with a wide-variety of plants, which generate a randomized approach to planting that allow the crops to shift position from season-to-season.
Korn's approach to Fukuoka's story is almost entirely personal. After an initial biographical sketch of Fukuoka's life until their meeting, the next section is largely autobiographical in terms of the context leading to his interactions with Fukuoka as his student, his time as student, and then their travels together.
In the latter half of the book, Korn turns away from biography to his personal comparative comparative views of Fukuoka's natural farming compared to indigenous practices, traditional Japanese farming, organic farming, and permaculture. My understanding is that he viewed Fukuoka's practices as achieving a kind of re-indigenization transcending all in terms of natural balance except original indigenous practices themselves. In an appendix, he reprints a book review of Fukuoka's "The One Straw Revolution" from an indigenous newsletter, which suggests that this viewpoint was not alone on this front.
When reading, one gets the sense that there's quite a bit of idealization happening in these comparisons, but it's an unusually informed idealization, of one who has spend their time trying to study and live in that path. There's a certain warm sincerity of lifelong devotion that's churlish to argue with: the facts of the matter are not the point, really, whether or not they are right.
The scope of this book being about Fukuoka's work and philosophy means that other aspects of Fukuoka's life, such as his family life, are largely not mentioned. These gaps invite a certain speculation about the limits of what Fukuoka's approach could accomplish in the overall management of his own life. However, it is fair that these questions are not for Korn to tackle, given the depth of his love and respect for his teacher.
Overall, it's not necessarily a persuasive book, but it is a feel-good book. Importantly, it never really falls into negativity, staying away from ranting about the way things could have been better. It is instead a book of gratitude about how the author was given a different perspective, attitude, and life, and about how we could also have totally different lives if we took his teacher's lessons to heart. It's wonderful how you don't have to believe in that transformation to both respect that gratitude and frequently enjoy the life pleasure of exercising less control from time-to-time.
August 8, 2020
It didn't start well for me. It ended, however, slightly better.
I dislike books with long intros, those that are endlessly repeating what you're about to read - such was the case. Besides, the initial rant against science made me think of yet another naïve book, one of someone in love with the romantic idea of farming but ignorant of the productive, authentic side.
Luckily, as I was turning page after page, it improved, though up to a quarter of the book there is not one single contribution from Fukuoka.
Eventually, Korn touches Fukuoka's principles, though I couldn't help but feel that the title misrepresents the essence of the book. This is a travelogue, written by a fond admirer of the Japanese farmer. There is some "philosophy" and some "work", granted: but very little.
I dislike books with long intros, those that are endlessly repeating what you're about to read - such was the case. Besides, the initial rant against science made me think of yet another naïve book, one of someone in love with the romantic idea of farming but ignorant of the productive, authentic side.
Luckily, as I was turning page after page, it improved, though up to a quarter of the book there is not one single contribution from Fukuoka.
Eventually, Korn touches Fukuoka's principles, though I couldn't help but feel that the title misrepresents the essence of the book. This is a travelogue, written by a fond admirer of the Japanese farmer. There is some "philosophy" and some "work", granted: but very little.
May 21, 2020
Entriguing book about the life of Fukuoka and the author's intersection with him when in Japan, and then afterwards when Fukuoka came to the United States on tour. The book is definitely not a 'how to' of natural farming, but more a glimpse into Fukuoka's worldview, also embraced by the author. While the author spoke a lot about the benefits and even perceived superiority of natural farming, as compared to other organic type methods, he never broaches what may be cons. I think this is one short-coming of the book. All in all, I found it a very interesting read and inspiring.
June 9, 2023
Masanobu Fukuoka is a legend and Larry Korn did an amazing job getting his word across. Although natural farming is a method of farming, it appears to come off more as a lifestyle. Fukuoka’s view on humanity’s place in nature is something I think more people should try to learn about. If someone has any interest on alternative farming techniques or nature-oriented lifestyles I very much recommend this book
January 5, 2024
Fukuoka was long on my mind. At least since Wayne Wisemann mentioned him in his 2018 PCD course. But the years passed. This year, it was late spring, and I wanted to do something purposeful with a local primary school, Fukuoka came back out of nowhere. I had started a gardening project and recalled my PCD course, watched the videos Wayne had shared with us and read the book. it’s now on my top five ever reads. Masanobu is a sage. At times a bit too self confident, but still sage.
I will probably need some more time to write a proper review, but one thing that also dawned upon me during the school project and while reading the book is that it’s all about doing it. Writing long reviews or talking to people at length about how a better world could look like doesn’t move things into the right direction. You have to start doing it. Our pilot project was a success and is ready for reproduction: https://ark.greensteps.me/library/urb...
I will probably need some more time to write a proper review, but one thing that also dawned upon me during the school project and while reading the book is that it’s all about doing it. Writing long reviews or talking to people at length about how a better world could look like doesn’t move things into the right direction. You have to start doing it. Our pilot project was a success and is ready for reproduction: https://ark.greensteps.me/library/urb...
September 19, 2022
Inadvertently read this before the original work. Looking forward to reading the primary, One Straw Revolution. Inspiring. More evidence that the answers to what plagues us are rooted simplicity, humility, and respect for people, animals, plants and the planet.
December 19, 2025
The book is more of a reflection of Larry Korn than about Fukuoka. If you want a more broader view of Fukuoka's application to horticulture this is a decent book. It's a decent introduction for a western focused audience. I just prefer the more original "One Straw Revolution".
January 29, 2018
Great book and a great introduction into the world of Natural Farming. Must read for horticulturalists and enthusiasts everywhere.
March 25, 2019
One of the finest book ,which talks advocates organic farming as a life style. Obviously,it will have an impact on our thinking and arises questions about our life. Must read...
January 3, 2024
Leave nature to take care of herself and just be present
Read
April 8, 2024Chủ động về với đất khi còn sống thì chẳng cần lo lắng gì nữa. Trân quý hơn cuộc thử nghiệm vĩ đại của cụ Fukuoka và biết ơn ông Korn đã mang đạo của một-cọng-rơm tới với nhiều người.
December 8, 2024
Thought provoking and insightful. I want to be a natural farmer now.
May 30, 2016
An early proponent of no-till and other gentler methods of agriculture.
September 12, 2016
Great book. A real eye-opener, even when you are already familiar with permaculture.
September 8, 2016
Skim job. Love you, Sensei!
August 10, 2021
Read instead Natural way of framing by FUKUOKA
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews