ed | Farming with Carnivores Network Aldo Leopold, wildlife biologist, forester and farmer was the author of the celebrated A Sand County Almanac. His words offer a perspective of enormous significance to the farming community
Leopold often used the words the Land Ethic. He wrote: The Land Ethic simply enlarges the boundaries to include soils, waters, plants and animals. And as a result he stated that the Land Ethic changes the role of Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land community to plain member and citizen of it. It implies respect for his fellow members.
And that respect is expressed in one’s behavior to the members of the community. So it means moving from past behaviors of control and kill of carnivores, to creating ways to farm where carnivores are viewed as essential members of the ecosystem…they are included in the Land Ethic.
We are living in a time of Transition, of learning new and positive ways to communicate with these intelligent and sentient beings. I find it interesting to consider that carnivores also are continuing to learn about us. Native Peoples did not farm with domestic livestock, they hunted for their food. But with the arrival of the Europeans, domestic animals presented a whole new experience for the carnivores on the American continent.
I would encourage you to read A Sand County Almanac.