Meet the Farmer Preparing for the End of Industrial Civilization

Today I'm visiting inspiring experimental farmer Shane Simonsen in Queensland, Australia. Shane's work is focussed on researching, breeding, and farming resilient food plants and staple crops for a post-industrial future.

The industrial food system is highly dependent on global supply chains of fuel, fertiliser, chemicals, and technology to function. As the world moves further into turbulent times, how do we create food systems that are resilient and regenerative?

Part of Shane's farming practise is to use minimal inputs (no fertiliser, chemicals, or even irrigation) and he has the view that if a plant struggles, let it die and find one that will thrive in your conditions. This tough love philosophy creates plants that are strong and adapted to local conditions, ideal for a changing climate.

I see the work that Shane and others like him are doing as key for local food resilience, acting as living seed banks and knowledge keepers for their bioregions.