Letting The Land Lead

The Oxford Real Farming Conference featured inspiring talks by Jon Young and Lyla June Johnston that emphasized indigenous approaches to land stewardship, where humans collaborate with the living, intelligent land rather than dominating it. Jon Young explained how “letting the land lead” involves forming deep relationships with individual plants, animals, and trees through careful observation and sensory connection, creating “medicine bundles” that allow the earth to speak through us from multiple perspectives, while Lyla June’s research demonstrates that ancient indigenous ancestors were actually keystone species who cultivated and enhanced landscapes through regenerative practices, proving humans were originally meant to steward the land in harmony. The speakers convey hope that modern people can relearn these collaborative approaches, rooted in humility and relationality, to support ecosystems to thrive once again. Read more …