I recently had the privilege of traveling with a group of divinity students from Wake Forest University to western North Carolina where we visited several sustainable, organic farms. We met and worked with people who are experimenting with innovative and progressive forms of agriculture which do not harm the greater local ecosystem and serves to reconnect humanity to the land. During our weekend visit, I learned of two emerging trends in food production which are really just the reclamation of ancient, natural growing practices. I believe these two techniques, permaculture and no-till farming, can serve as powerful images of what it looks like to be a local, organic church in the 21st century.
Alex Gallimore
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Permaculture basically seeks to plant permanent food producing organisms inside ecosystems which naturally are able to sustain them and benefit from their existence. Really a straightforward idea, agrarians practicing permaculture first take an intentional period of time to view the geography of the intended farming site, learning the lay of the land and observing the plants that innately want to grow there. From these surveys, the farmer, for example, plants an apple orchard around other plants native to an area which have root, branch or leaf structures that will provide a needed boost of essential nutrients and elements to the the young orchard. Each year as the newly-planted area grows, the apple trees, along with the other nearby plants, are pruned and their clippings are used to mulch the space. As these parts decompose, they serve as a natural fertilizer and compost over the growing orchard. These trees therefore are planted into ecosystems in which they could be naturally and organically sustained while at the same time benefit the ecosystem as a whole.
On the other end of the spectrum—but with the same focus on creation care—is the idea of no-till farming. For traditional gardeners who must plant new tomatoes and cucumbers each year I learned that there is also an eco-friendly alternative to countless rounds with the rototiller and Miracle Grow. This came as a surprise, considering the fact that my grandmother had previously instilled in me that there was no other method. On the contrary, no-till farmers offer the prophetic reminder that the over-tilling and turning of the soil release important gases which contribute to the growth and health of the plant intended to flourish in that space. Furthermore, most rototillers simply turn over a very shallow layer of soil while at the same time pack down lower layers.
Healthy and productive plants need soft, deep and nutrient-rich soil in order to yield the desired crop. Many no-tillers therefore have developed a technique in which they plant a cover crop of, for example, rye. The rye is allowed to grow to about waist high before it is lightly rolled over to one side. Farmers then dig small, shallow holes into the same soil as the rye. The new food crop is sown into these holes and as the rye dries and decomposes, it also becomes a natural and organic fertilizer.
After learning of these two methods, it is any surprise that my mind immediately turned to the local church? When I think of what the church can be in the 21st century and how our previous history may also remain beneficial, I cannot think of any better images than those of permaculture and no-till farming. Many churches today feel the need to adopt the latest church growth strategies sent out from denominational headquarters or modeled by the nearest megachurch. While these can sometimes serve productive ends, they rarely take into account the history or locale of the church in which they are employed. The result is usually detrimental since the newly-adopted strategy does not function naturally in the setting. What is needed is something similar to permaculture. We must learn the lay of the land in our churches and discover the mutually beneficial partnerships available in our communities. From this point, we can plant new ministries which will adapt and grow naturally in the particular church setting.
Likewise, what good would it do if we violently tilled over our historical soil? Surely we would destroy the good and only pack down the bad elements of our past. We must allow our identity to grow out of our past while also allowing new holes where we may plant 21st century seeds. As the old naturally fades, it becomes the needed fertilizer for the new fruit which will organically emerge.
In addition to the connection and peace made with the land, these two forms of agriculture require patience. May we also exhibit the same patience required to become organic local congregations.
Alex Gallimore (gallac9@wfu.edu) is associate pastor for youth at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Mount Airy, N.C.