Masanobu Fukuoka Part I (Natural Mind) - Larry Korn Interview

Sign up for our bi-weekly stories on sustainable cities:
thepossiblecity.substack.com/
--
Seen as the father of modern day natural farming, Masanobu Fukuoka is author of “The One Straw Revolution,” a fundamental volume for understanding how human beings can live together with this earth. This three part film series features previously unreleased interviews with Larry Korn, who in 1974 (after a decade of studying soil, plants, and Eastern culture) spent two years of living and studying with Fukuoka.
Other Parts in this Series:
Part II - The Natural Farm
• Masanobu Fukuoka Part ...
Part III - The Natural Life
• Masanobu Fukuoka Part ...
About The Interviews:
When Larry Korn left Japan, he carried the Japanese manuscript of Fukuoka’s book with him to California, with the determination to get the book published in English. His work in helping to translate and edit this book would bring the ideas of Fukuoka and Natural Farming to millions of people worldwide. Today, the book has become a cornerstone of the alternative food movement.
These interviews were filmed at Larry Korn’s home in Ashland, Oregon in 2012, during production of the documentary film Final Straw: Food, Earth, Happiness (www.finalstraw.org). They tell the story of Fukuoka from the perspective of a man who spent much of his life dedicated to bringing ideas of East and West together by finding truth within soil, plants and in turn, within humans.
It is impossible to understate how fundamental Larry’s work was to the establishment and growth of the worldwide sustainable farming movement. More than just a scholar of the soil, he was a man filled with wisdom, who exercised deep care, humility, and love for this earth. His work set the scene for a journey that changed the course of our lives in a beautiful way.
We hope the moments with Larry in these simple films, might help do the same for others.
MORE RESOURCES:
Read the complete interview here:
www.finalstraw.org/masanobu-fu...
A free 20-minute film featuring Larry, and a host of other natural farm luminaries can be watched here:
• Food, Earth, Happiness...
Larry Korn's book "One Straw Revolutionary" can be found here:
www.chelseagreen.com/product/...
PRODUCTION:
This film was independently produced by City as Nature art and media studio (www.cityasnature.org) with previously unreleased archival footage from our feature length documentary, Final Straw: Food, Earth, Happiness.
We would like to thank the following supporters, whose donations made this interview series possible: Andrew Sblendorio, Johanna Fredenberg & Omstallning Pargas, Janine Lydon, Syanne Cole, MISS D E A SMITH, Peter Brandis, Cenk Rullas

[@biospheres]

More important information NOW than EVER....Masanobu Fukuoka one of the giants of the last hundred years...and Thanks to Larry Korn's work and dedication...bringing this agriculture philosophy to the forefront & for his service to humanity.

[@elietheprof5678]

The part about unintended consequences (2:00) is a perfect description of the biggest mistakes in education, medicine, politics and economics.

[@CityasNature]

Totally agreed, Elie! The application of these ideas is about far more than just growing food, but touches every part of our lives today. So much we could learn from these farmers, about how to live. Thank you for the comment!

[@evies_home]

I do love, his first book, now I am reading second and it's just makes so much sense. Me and my husband also started applying step by step his teaching on a tea garden, what to make it flourish in one day. Very exciting. 💕👍.

[@CityasNature]

Lovely, Evgenia. Glad to hear of your tea garden!

[@MyEverydayGarden]

I could watch this again and again! I feel such calm when I listen to him speak ❤

[@saltywisdom]

"The trees didn't disappear because the rains stopped coming; the rains stopped coming because the trees disappeared. Rain does not fall down from the sky, nor from the ground. Plants make rain fall. Grow a lot more plants, our paradise would be realized."

[@cowleshome]

I mean it sounds nice but I've never heard this in a science book or science class lol. I wonder if this is actually true. Anyone have any links of any proof of this?

[@soniquetemusic]

@@cowleshome I guess that some of the dynamics involved can be described as: ‘’Growing trees take water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere. Tree leaves also act as interceptors, catching falling rain, which then evaporates [forming clouds] causing rain precipitation elsewhere - a process known as evapo-transpiration.’’ Trees also create a lot of shade and provide shelter for entire ecosystems, which all together forms a microclimate which might attract more water through precipitation. ‘’Trees directly affect climate and air quality in many ways; by oxygenating, humidifying, modifying temperature and wind patterns, and metabolizing pollution.’’

[@thisearththeonlyheaven]

@@cowleshome maybe start by looking for science journal papers about the Biotic Pump....

[@cowleshome]

@@thisearththeonlyheaven hey sure link it baby that's what i'm lookin for

[@thisearththeonlyheaven]

@@cowleshome get on Google Scholar, maybe even Google will do (unless you have better access to journal articles) and play with some queries. “biotic pump forests” seems to bring up something to start with. Not a user, many years since I have had to search stuff. There is one near top of results called “Forests, atmospheric water and an uncertain future: the new biology of the global water cycle” that may be a good review article to get your teeth into. Have fun.

[@zeljkoradisic3841]

You become partner again, with the other forms of life❤️❤️❤️

[@CityasNature]

Lovely way of thinking

[@kenbellchambers4577]

The greatest impact on my career as a pre-emptive fire control officer was given by some very wonderful scientists from decades ago. Sir Albert Howard, 'An Agricultural Testament', was one of the very best, and his work is essential at this very moment. Jean Pain, 'A Better Way of Gardening', is a master forester using methods which are spectacular. The most amazing practical application of forest fuel overburden management using holistic methodology. (This is a Major critical necessity in today's overheated world.) Much cutting edge methanology, still virtually unknown by the methane scientists of today, yet of vital importance in many ways. The works of Robert Rodale also add a treasure trove of vital information regarding organic husbandry. 'Organic Gardening and Farming', 'Encyclopedia of Composting', Biocycle', and many other relevant publications. Masanobu Fukuoka adds a wonderful incentive to follow this pathway to simplicity in reintroducing food crops back to a 'normal' lifestyle. Hope you are reading this from a better place Mr. Korn, and thank you for bringing this great Japanese benefactor to our attention. '

[@taylorhorne6645]

Thank you for sharing this wisdom

[@isesise2658]

Woke up to the email about his passing. Smh To his family, if you see this, im sorry for your loss, but know that Larry Korn, through the teachings of Masanobu, had a great impact on my life, and i am grateful to the Creator that my ears know his voice. Stay strong, and may the Creator bring comfort.

[@vincentethan9528]

sorry to be offtopic but does any of you know a trick to get back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost my login password. I love any help you can offer me!

[@luccadustin8081]

@Vincent Ethan instablaster :)

[@fabianaes5473]

Exactly the teachings of buddhism about the way of enlightement (zen and Dzogchen teachings). Beautiful, simple, direct and true: everything is "just as it is" ♥️🙏🏻

[@CityasNature]

Thank you for this beautiful observation Fabiana!

[@juliannevillecorrea]

thank you sir !

[@Light-gp9hk]

Hats off! thank you so much 4 this gem. holly. totaly.

[@CityasNature]

Thanks Light! Glad you enjoyed these moments with Larry :-)

[@zaarkhananal7165]

Going back is not a bad thing if one has taken a misstep and considering the state of the environment, it's clear that mankind has taken several missteps. Part of this is due to the natural hubris of humans that makes them think they deserve more than what the creator has provided. However, if we're not at least doing what we need to do to be constructive, then nothing else that we're doing matters. The concept that living a slow and simple life is just basic survival comes from a depraved, self deprecating and self destructive mind. Because if humans aren't doing things with respect to constructivity, then we will die and that's exactly what we doing we're slowly dying. The reason why the creator hasn't provided these things which humans believe allow ease into their lives is because they're not necessary and in fact over time lead to degradation and death. This is partly why human intelligence has degraded over time, because all of the ease we've created lead to a type of mental atrophy. We don't think because of the ease, until we can't think and then become incapable of completing basic aspects of human life. Raging fires, endless drought and unstoppable flooding, this is nature reverberating back that which mankind has indicted upon it, and we deserve it's wrath. As long as people continue to disregard this reality, the environment and humanity will continue on this downward spiral until we cease to exist.

[@sibam_debnath]

So very soft conversation 💥

[@uziao]

thank you from Brasil ^.^

[@putiwang7679]

I don't use fertilizer in my garden, i pruned the fruit trees and piled the branches leaves around the tree. I use compost too.

[@CityasNature]

Thanks for sharing your way, Puti!

[@amitdahal1698]

Thank you for spending time with me when I was a kid 🤠🙏🏽

[@ClassicAlberto]

amazing, greetings from spain

[@CityasNature]

Thank you very much!

[@ajaypratapsingh4441]

❤️❤️❤️

[@jerrymantik5477]

Thank you for the information...step by step maybe I can do full organic in the future.(still doing semi organic).✍️👍🙏

[@CityasNature]

Glad Larry's words were of help! You can do it!

[@isaac0079]

The only way.

[@falkharvard8722]

Agriculture was the beginning of our downfall, IMO. Hunter gatherers and nomads did barely any damage to the environment and actually became a part of the flow.

[@kenbellchambers4577]

We should be moving towards forest farming, and have many more varieties of fruiting palms, nuts and fruits, as well as growing brilliant durable hardwoods in mixed, balanced forests. Lots more coconut trees for example, but there are many thousands of varieties of food bearing tree. Forest crops do not require plowing every year, and the crops get larger and larger. Also, Forests make the surface of the planet cool, encouraging rain. Chemical monocultures are convenient, but they are not sustainable in the long term.

[@wildrangeringreen]

Agriculture up until the last 300 years did barely any damage to the environment in most regions, and in many areas, the ecology of the land was more vibrant with human input. The mass adoption of heavy (and constant) tillage, monocultures, and fallow periods started to degrade our soils; but the introduction of chemical agriculture and industrial food systems in the last 150 years have done more damage than the previous 15,000+ years of agriculture, combined. tearing a furrow in the soil and inserting a seed of something edible isn't destructive. Selectively chopping down the foliage of other plants to give the edible plants an advantage isn't destructive, allowing the field to regrow after you take your crop off and then grazing it briefly isn't destructive. Promoting the genetics of fruit and nut trees that make better quality fruit and nuts isn't destructive. Managing the tree canopy over your fields through pollarding and selective harvesting isn't destructive. Are ants that herd and "farm" aphids destructive? No... it's just what they do. Humans develop tools and techniques to make our lives easier, it's what we do. When the things we do and the tools we're using are doing the exact opposite of that, it's time to change our approach. clear cutting (and often the burning of) the entirety of the land, constantly turning and chopping of the soil, fallow periods, overgrazing, and the wanton use of poison IS destructive. The ancient regions that did have negative consequences from agriculture were ones where you saw the precursor of what we are largely doing today.

[@livewithnature7503]

sir i am from india . first of all i am sorry beacause my english not good but sir i think you understand me and reply me about my problem . sir my problem is i love natural farming because it's the truth of our life . i knew this before 5 months when i saw masanobu fukuoka in KZbin doing natural farming. first i was think is it true . sir in our village all people doing farming with till the soil with tracktor and ploughing and then planting . if i telling him about natural farming people laghing at me. they told me that without tilling the soil , with weeds farming is not possible . but i don't agree with them . i am starting natural farming in a small area to see that plant grow or not . i put the seed without weeding without ploughing into the soil and other people doing ploughing with tractor and then planting .and give chemical fertilizers . i am waiting for results . everytime my mind say it's not grow but still i wait for the result . and the result is disturb my mind . after one and half month i saw that my plant not growth but those peoples plant well growth . i am feeling very sad and searching what the problem in my cultivation . when masanobu fukuoka doing farming with weeds and no ploughing why my farming not success , what the reason . is that my soil not good or anything else sir please please please reply me i request you . i love natural farming 🙏

[@CityasNature]

Dear friend, do not be worried. Helping your land heal takes time, and the way is unique for each person and each place. There are many resources to learn from in India. You might research some of the writings of Bhaskar Save. Also, Vandana Shiva's work at Navdanya: www.navdanya.org/site/ Fukuoka's book is available in Hindi: www.arvindguptatoys.com/arvindgupta/fukhindi.pdf Be well, and keep following what you believe is right. Yours in Nature, Patrick

[@livewithnature7503]

@@CityasNature sir before i didn't know about natural farming my land is ploughing by tracktor many more time that cause my land soil bad . sir you are right . but what to do to improve good soil ?

[@Marialla.]

@@livewithnature7503 You must read "The One Straw Revolution" and learn how Mr. Fukuoka built his soil using mulch. Always return to the soil everything you grow on it, except the crop you harvest. But return all the stalks, husks etc. to become mulch for the next generation of seeds. Also, seeds scattered naked on the ground will be eaten by birds. You must encase each seed in a small ball of clay mixed with compost. Look up "seed balls" on KZbin to see examples of how, or read in the same book how Mr. Fukuoka did it. Dry them a little, then scatter them on your field before you mulch. The clay will soften and sprout in the rainy season, and the mulch will keep it safe from birds. The timing is very important when scattering seeds, so your crop always has a head start against the weeds. Weeds should not be eliminated, but they must be weakened so that your crop can grow ahead of them. I wish you luck in your journey.

[@livewithnature7503]

@@Marialla. thx . but one question , my land fill with most water , my soil always more water is the plant grow ?

[@Marialla.]

@@livewithnature7503 Rice can grow with lots of water. I do not know all crops that may grow.

[@vladimirnachev324]

North American Indians were living in accordance with nature

[@itzakpoelzig330]

All indigenous groups were living in accordance with nature at one time, even the most egregious of the colonizers, before intensive agriculture.

[@yvonnemariane2265]

The robber barons and re-incarnation as corporations have never ever been of from or for the people. Real Farmers fought and died over the awfulness all the way...

[@AselflimitedcapitalisemW0mamon]

This higher intellect science loving guy needs to stop calling it natural Farming Farming was designed for one thing and that's to generate personal wealth for wealthy people. Therefore let us return to nurturing the Earth for our provision by helping each other to accomplish the necessary daily toil of nurturing nature for our provision. The act of nurturing nature replaces the act of generating personal wealth and we can share the Bounty with our local Neighbors greatly reducing the problem of millions of humans generating personal wealth from nature Andover consuming from nature in the process.

[@wildrangeringreen]

agriculture ("farming" in common vernacular) is the idea of concentrating and the efficient management of ecosystems+plants+animals for human food sources. When done properly, it's nothing more than nudging nature to generate something to eat (no different than when ants herd and "farm" aphids). We haven't been doing that for the last 300-500 years, we've been mining.

[@AselflimitedcapitalisemW0mamon]

@@wildrangeringreen yes it's true what you say! & may I add that the human ant colonies (generating personal wealth for themselves (yet mostly for their (capitalism-loving) higher intellect types of Money empowered overlords (who are actually utilizing the lessor over-educated much like a herd of aphids) to regenerate themselves even more personal wealth and self-empowerment to rule over all that the Earth can produce. But these days it's a very bad mismanagement of one's fellow man (by those money empowered hierarchies) (of "our"? Said to be elected): greedy over-lords) mis-utlizing what used to be a predominantly free of charge (& self-sustaining) provisions system of earth; But is now heading to it's money - loving - dead end All for the money.