Agriculture Quote by Wes Jackson
“When we conduct agriculture, we are, therefore, altering the ecological arrangement that was responsible for our genesis as a species. I think that this is the reason that this alienation has allowed us to see and regard land mostly as a resource. So we have created a problem for ourselves from the word "go," for land is not a resource any more than humans are resources.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Thinking in Systems, Donella Meadows, 2008
Human agricultural practices disrupt the natural ecological balance that shaped our evolution, leading us to view land merely as a resource.
In simple terms: Farming changes nature, making us treat land like a commodity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize land as a living system, not just a resource.
Themes
environment
agriculture
anthropocene
ethics
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- land management
- policy making
- environmental education
- community gardening
Key Concepts
systems thinking
ecology
sustainability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we redesign agriculture to honor ecological interdependence?
- What policies could shift perception of land from resource to partner?
A Different Perspective
Treating land as a resource can ignore its intrinsic value and long‑term health.
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