Going a step beyond organic - Holistic management encompasses social, environmental, economic and biological goals

By Jim Romahn, Ontario Farmer

Farmers who are pursuing organic production systems could find value in going another step to holistic management, veteran organic farmer Tony McQuail of Lucknow told the annual meeting of the Ontario Ecological Farmers Association here recently.

He explained that holistic management is a new discipline that involves setting family goals embracing all aspects of the farm - their social, environmental, economic and biological goals.

Alan Savoury began promoting holistic management 30 years ago and wrote a manual that has been followed by fans. Jody Butterfield helped write a revised version which Fran McQuail, Tony's wife, said is "far more readable."

McQuail said that after he and Fran took a course - three sessions of three days each - in 2005, they changed some of their attitudes and their lifestyle. One of the biggest changes came when they involved their two daughters, then 11 and 13 years old, in discussing family goals. The girls wanted to take a summer vacation, just as many of their schoolmates did.

McQuail said that came as a huge challenge because summer on an organic farm is extremely busy, but the family set out to make it happen by hiring and training staff to handle the farm for the month of August, which is less busy than planting and harvest seasons. The family went to British Columbia, spent a week taking long hikes in the Rockies, then took a train ride back to Ontario.

McQuail said the current economic pressures prompt many farmers into negative responses, such as strict cost cutting and increased work. Those who have taken holistic management training, and are applying it, have goals in mind, maintain a positive attitude and keep moving towards them during crises.

He said the holistic management system outlines a set of guidelines to test the status of the farm, such as a "cause and effect" analysis that distinguishes between causes and effects; a marginal reaction test to determine which activities or pursuits are most likely to achieve the greatest gains towards goals; a weak link test of the biological, financial and social aspects of the farm; a comparison of gross profits from various aspects or opportunities of the farm; an evaluation of the sources of money and energy; an analysis of what's supportive or detracts from community and social health, and sustainability.

There were 10 farmers taking the course with the McQuails who are now studying to become certified trainers, the first in Ontario. The only other two in Canada are both in Manitoba where there was a national meeting last year.

McQuail said another change he and his wife were prompted to take was to quit their part-time jobs to become full-time farmers. That was always a desire, but taking the course prompted them to make it a lifestyle, he said.

Holistic management includes a willingness to re-examine what's being done on the farm, how and why, and to change, he said.

It also helps to meet regularly with others pursuing the same management system, he said, especially working together to work on financial planning "which is something I have never liked doing." The members can share knowledge, exchange ideas and encourage each other, he said.

He told about buying a snow blower at a summer auction, figuring that was the best time of year to pick up a bargain. Trouble is, the bargain blower broke down that winter and he couldn't economically fix it.

He said his first reaction was to consider buying another, but now it was winter and peak snowblower demand season "so we stopped and as a family we thought it over, and how that would fit with our goals."

They ended up borrowing a horse-drawn snow scoop from a Mennonite neighbour to determine whether that could work for them. They already farm with horses, so they had them and McQuail said that has proven to be an economical choice that fits with a number of other goals for their farm, such as minimizing energy purchases.

McQuail was a last-minute fill-in speaker when Janet Duncan was unable to come to speak about conserving rare breeds.

OACC gratefully acknowledges Ontario Farmer for permission to post this article.

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Posted January 2008