Tag: regenerative farming

Volunteer for our Regenerative Farm School, Remotely or in Bali

jembendell

It’s crazy how fast things grow in the tropics! When we founded Bekandze Farm in early 2023 we thought we could make a small but meaningful contribution to local food security and environmental care, by promoting and supporting the development of regenerative agriculture in our small patch of Bali. Sixteen months later the infrastructure is in, the garden is thriving, and the training is in full swing. But it hasn’t just been the plants that have been growing – our vision for the project has been growing too!

When we started Bekandze Farm – Regenerative Training Center we knew there was a need, but we had little idea how great that need was. Nor did we realise how vast is the opportunity to have a positive impact on how food is grown here, not just in Bali but throughout Indonesia. When we advertised for staff we attracted applicants from all over Indonesia hungry for an opportunity to develop their professional skills in regenerative agriculture. When we promoted our first free farmer training program we fielded enquiries from isolated farmers on far flung islands throughout Indonesia eager to take up the opportunity to connect learn from regenerative farmers in other parts of the country. And when we were approached by one of only two vocational high schools still teaching agriculture in Bali to help them stop the hemorrhaging of students out of agricultural studies into tourism, we knew for certain that we were on the cusp of something far greater and more impactful than we had envisaged.

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Bali Weather Breaks Records – Why Farmers Know but Instagrammers Don’t

jembendell

As I type these words on January 25th 2024, we are breaking another all-time temperature record here in Bali. It is 32C degrees in the Ubud area, above the previous record of 31C for this day in history. The average maximum was once below 30C (see the image above). So when does such unusual weather indicate a new climate regime, rather than just a few unusually hot days? That should be a matter of scientific analysis, not ideological posturing. If we are analytical, the answer depends on the data on long-term trends and the possible reasons for such trends. As I have recently become an organic farmer, this information is even more important to ascertain, because it influences what and when to plant, as well as how much protection from water and temperature stress we should invest in. So I am going to share with you what I found out about Bali’s weather, and what this means for those of us who live in this region. I also think it has implications for people everywhere, so wherever you are, please read on…

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The Benefits of Collapse Acceptance – Part 1

jembendell

For years I felt quite timid about my concerns, and then my conclusions, on the dire future of modern societies under increasing environmental stress. When my Deep Adaptation paper went viral, I didn’t ride the wave onto TV screens and into bookstores. The topic was too sensitive for that, and I felt too raw. At the time, I was somewhat confused about how to integrate my own anticipation of societal collapse into my own life. Therefore, I focused on engaging people who already shared my outlook, to engage in open dialogue on the potential positive ways of responding. Five years later, I have learned much from the many people who made major life changes precisely because of their recognition that we are in an era of unfolding societal collapse. I discuss some such people, and their many positive ways of responding, in Chapter 12 of my book Breaking Together – a chapter now available as a free audio. Within it, I provide an edited list of the benefits of collapse acceptance. Because there are indeed benefits from not only being curious or aware of collapse risks, but actually accepting that such a collapse is coming or already under way. That is a key message from former Occupy Wall Street activist Karen Perry, who created the list of benefits.

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Regenerative Farming – it’s time!

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Bekandze Farm School – growing healing with local partners

Now that I am stepping back from academia, I’d like to tell you more about a new initiative I am co-creating. You probably know that I consider modern societies to be unravelling & won’t recover. There are many ways to respond. In my case, I am working with colleagues to grow a collapse-ready regenerative farm in Indonesia.

Our crowdfund is live! Visit: https://chuffed.org/project/bekandze

The following text is from August 2023, announcing the launch of the project.

Beginning in February 2023, our farming project is proceeding at pace, having confirmed the land lease, farm infrastructure, family involvement, staff profit sharing, organic NGO partnership, and local temple involvement. But we aren’t doing this project just to enjoy a little bit of farming. Our plan is to work with our local NGO partner to support small holders in the area around Tampaksiring (Bali) to convert to, or take up, collapse-ready regenerative farming. Our local partner is achieving this around Kedisan, a neighbouring town, with 30 families switching production methods so that they regenerate soils and biodiversity, reduce toxicity and capture carbon. Together, our new initiative will provide the basis for a collapse-ready regenerative business network that will enable the re-localisation of a range of production. 

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