Wakefield/Ground Farm; a working farm, ecosystem, and interactive learning center
Learn Everything You Can About; The Ecosystem
This section Introduces the 'operating system' for human activities on the farm.
The Ecosystem Conceptualized
1 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FARM AND AN ECOSYSTEM (reproduced in part from the 'what it is' section 'the farm')
When I label products produced here on the farm, I use the name 'Wakefield Ground Farms', but I have come to realize that, operationally, I don't have a farm; rather, I participate in an ecosystem. I have been working for some time to evolve an explanation of what I perceive as the differences.
On a farm, you are concerned with production. Whatever is produced, the quality, success, or failure of the operation depends on the quality and amount of the product. Cattle, trees, vegetables, grains, fish; it is all a question of what comes *out* of the operation.
An ecosystem is different. In an ecosystem, you are specifically part of the operation, and output is only 1 portion of multiple cycles and interactions.
In farming, generally the surface only is considered. With an ecosystem, the consideration extends to the 'sky', and beyond. On a farm, songbirds may frequently be considered a pest and a burden on output and profit. In an ecosystem, birdsong is a part of me, and the health of the songbirds and beehives is every bit as important as crops a farmer might treat with insecticide that could negatively impact the health and existence of these other inhabitants.
This view is somewhat humbling in the sense that it is not 'human-centric', but rather holistic in consideration of species and systems. It is not a predatory concept, but more reflective of stewardship. And it specifically rejects the idea that it is a 'business'. The statements that 'He is a businessman' or 'business comes first' have often justified cut-throat bloodthirsty, inhumane, and anti-life activities. It is *not* a business. It is existence, life itself, and if I am part of the ecosystem, I cannot hurt the environment without hurting myself.
Given this reality, it is appropriate to consider the ecosystem; the substrate and operating system containing the elements of my 'farm' operation, before partitioning the discussion into those different elements.
Initially, I had immediately followed the preceding with a section entitled 'Evolution of Farming; one perspective'. It has become apparent that farming deserves its own page, so it has currently moved to a position under 'Activities; Self-sufficiency and Sustainability.
When I label products produced here on the farm, I use the name 'Wakefield Ground Farms', but I have come to realize that, operationally, I don't have a farm; rather, I participate in an ecosystem. I have been working for some time to evolve an explanation of what I perceive as the differences.
On a farm, you are concerned with production. Whatever is produced, the quality, success, or failure of the operation depends on the quality and amount of the product. Cattle, trees, vegetables, grains, fish; it is all a question of what comes *out* of the operation.
An ecosystem is different. In an ecosystem, you are specifically part of the operation, and output is only 1 portion of multiple cycles and interactions.
In farming, generally the surface only is considered. With an ecosystem, the consideration extends to the 'sky', and beyond. On a farm, songbirds may frequently be considered a pest and a burden on output and profit. In an ecosystem, birdsong is a part of me, and the health of the songbirds and beehives is every bit as important as crops a farmer might treat with insecticide that could negatively impact the health and existence of these other inhabitants.
This view is somewhat humbling in the sense that it is not 'human-centric', but rather holistic in consideration of species and systems. It is not a predatory concept, but more reflective of stewardship. And it specifically rejects the idea that it is a 'business'. The statements that 'He is a businessman' or 'business comes first' have often justified cut-throat bloodthirsty, inhumane, and anti-life activities. It is *not* a business. It is existence, life itself, and if I am part of the ecosystem, I cannot hurt the environment without hurting myself.
Given this reality, it is appropriate to consider the ecosystem; the substrate and operating system containing the elements of my 'farm' operation, before partitioning the discussion into those different elements.
Initially, I had immediately followed the preceding with a section entitled 'Evolution of Farming; one perspective'. It has become apparent that farming deserves its own page, so it has currently moved to a position under 'Activities; Self-sufficiency and Sustainability.