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The philosophy that underpins
The Farm Business Gym

Philosophy means:

  1. A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory; or

  2. A system of values by which one lives
These are the beliefs and values of the Gym:
  • Being a farmer MUST be a fun, enjoyable AND profitable experience.

  • We are all responsible for our own outcomes.

  • Our outcomes flow from the actions we choose to take.

  • Prior to taking our actions we make decisions.

  • The decisions we make are based either on the knowledge we currently have, or on intuition.

  • Like people, plants and animals, our farms are 'complex' rather than 'complicated'.

  • Complex things ALWAYS function as 'wholes'.

  • Most 'currently in vogue' farm management processes do not understand how to manage a whole, but deal only with the parts.  In the long run, they are incapable of dealing with complexity.

  • Humans are inextricably linked to the land that supports them.  It provides all of our food and water, and maintains the quality of our air.  The land is the foundation of 'Quality of Life' for land managers, and for the people who depend on them for the products that sustain their nourishment and emotional security.

  • If for no other reason than immediately above, farmers should be prosperous and esteemed.

  • Civilisations have never set out to create widescale land degradation. Unexpectedly, they have.  Many times.  

  • Only occassionally do individual land managers deliberately set out to damage their land.  Widespread degradation suggests there is a hidden problem in our decision-making process.

  • Reversing the decline of land requires deliberate step-by-step decisions.  When making these decisions, people must simultaneously consider the financial, environmental and social outcomes of their proposed actions.  This reinforces that management processes must be based on a 'holistic' perspective.

  • Nature is so complex that there is a high probability that despite the best care in the world, our actions could still be damaging in the long term.  On this basis we must always monitor for early evidence of adverse outcomes, and take immediate corrective action.  

  • This web site will never enter into the fields of sex, religion or party politics.
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