There is a myth that was started in the Victorian era that before agriculture, mankind was reliant on hunter/gathering. After years of studying the history of gardening and horticulture it is apparent that before the ancient agricultural revolution, people were growing and cultivating food in their gardens. It was the spate of “Great Monument” building and the neccessity to feed the workers that gathered in proto-cities that gave the spurt to what we know as agriculture. Given to the people by the “Gods” it came with all the trappings that we identify as civilisation. Agriculture, as it has developed, is a completely alien way of producing food that eventually degrades and destroys the soil, which is then turned into blotting paper soaked in chemicals to keep up production.
A more natural way of growing food is pursued in forms like Permanculture. Plants grow in communities. Some make nitrogen available from the air. Others mine deep with their roots for minerals, some provide shelter and ground cover. Trees and hedges have forms of fungi around their roots that shift nutrients around the ground and even warn other plants of attack over dozens of yards. Natural soil is full of micro organisms and worms that process and maintain the soil structure and fertility. Edible plants grow healthfully in the same place year after year. No need for crop rotation or single monoculture rows of annual crops that are harvested and killed. I could go on but the big question is where did “Agriculture” actually come from? Originally it looks like it was developed to feed the masses of workers needed. Disseminated by priests that got their knowledge from the Gods. What can be said about agriculture is that as long as you have endless supplies of energy, like oil, it can be imposed on any terrain.
Redesigning Civilization — with Permaculture
David Hogan
