Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Emery Mitchamore <emitch@att.net>]

Just got this summary from Holistic Management and thought it might be interesting to the list.  As everyone knows, most of Texas is biased toward livestock, and HMI is focused on the same subjects - rangeland management, which is to ranching what non-chemical no-till is to farming.

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Mary Girsch-Bock" <marygb@holisticmanagement.org>

Date: February 3, 2010 11:27:29 AM CST

To: "Mary Girsch-Bock" <marygb@holisticmanagement.org>

Subject: A message from the CEO

                                                                

A message from the CEO: why Holistic Management makes sense, now more than ever

 

The earth beneath our feet – especially that first layer of topsoil – is critical to our very existence.

Today’s HMI provides a proven framework for making the right decisions required for improving the health, productivity, and profitability of land – such that it will provide sustainable livelihoods for people who live and work on that land.

What we do

We are about results on the ground. We work to increase biodiversity, reverse desertification, and help build the carbon in soil that leads to healthy land– a critical part of the air, water, earth cycle so necessary to our existence.

HMI trains, educates and consults. We place great importance on measurable outcomes and quantifiable performance. When clients and customers we work with succeed, HMI succeeds.

Who we are

Today’s HMI network includes a select group of highly experienced ranchers, farmers, educators, and consultants who value our passion for results. Those who work with us share these traits:

1.       Well-schooled in the theory and practical realities of Holistic Management, coupled with a “Best practices” collaborative view toward finding the best solution for a client. The people we put on a project bring diverse points of view, a rich variety of tools, and professional discipline to any assignment.

2.       Extensive practical experience in all aspects of land, water, animal and plant performance, as well as reality based finance and economics – our folks walk the talk. They can show you results, often on their own land.

3.       Our trainers and consultants guide, teach, and motivate directly from their own personal experience. They know how to address financial considerations in real-world terms; they make Holistic Management principles easy to understand; easy to do. They take the jargon out, and work collaboratively with you. Training is important. Even more important, however, is follow-through. At today’s HMI, our teams understand how important that is.

4.       An intense focus on the customer – At today’s HMI, our people stay with you, every step of the way, looking at things from your point of view. Our teams help the principles of Holistic Management become an integrated process that really works effectively in your enterprise, not just a one-time “training event”.

How we are different

Anyone anywhere in the world today who is using, talking about, or promoting Holistic Management was, in all likelihood, trained by this organization over the last 25 years. Because of the dynamic nature of Holistic Management, there are many individuals and groups engaged in various practices grounded in the principles of Holistic Management --- often with their own particular “slant” based on the aspects and needs of their own whole under management. HMI applauds that diversity and growth, and always looks for collaborative ways to have robust conversations and find more effective solutions.

However, when it comes to delivering solid, quantifiable results on the ground HMI stands as a primary resource in providing measurable outcomes.

1.       We solve complex problems from the ground up.

2.       We are about quantifiable results and outcomes – with the experience and track record to back it up.

3.       We have the data and documentation to support our claims – nobody delivers results like we do.

4.       We engage in “Best Practices” social entrepreneurship – bringing healthy business disciplines to the non-profit arena.

5.       Our non-profit status means your money goes directly to supporting our mission on the ground – with clarity and transparency. Corporate clients benefit from our services, with the added satisfaction of doing good, by doing well. Further, our non-profit status allows us to seek funding for programs such as “Kids on the Land” or “Beginning Women Farmers” that may not get funded in private enterprise or through for profit ventures.

6.       Our finances are transparent – you get to see exactly where your dollar is being spent in support of the mission.

7.       We have a singular focus, supported by a broad network of experienced collaborators – bringing many disciplines to bear in order to maximize effectiveness for our clients, and for the land.

8.       We are uniquely qualified and have the capacity to work with large corporations and agencies, as well as smaller individual farming and ranching operations.  We can mobilize quickly, understanding the disciplines required for a tight scope of work; scalability; and accountability. As an organization, we have the breadth, depth and capacity to tackle big, complex projects effectively.

 

WHY what we do makes a difference

The basis for our economy is that fragile thin layer of topsoil --- literally the earth beneath our feet.

We neglect that topsoil at our peril. It provides the sustenance for all life, from the food we eat to the minerals needed for all industry. Without a careful and conservative relationship to our soils, wetlands go away, river flows are reduced, aquifers are diminished, and productivity of the land --- and the people on it --- moves dramatically to an unsustainable level.

Healthy productive land is critical to our economy….and to our very existence.

Broad applications

The Holistic Management framework has broad applications in many areas of life. However, it is uniquely suited to land-based enterprises where the level of complexity and the degree of daily change is highest. The interplay of air, weather, land, plant life, animal life, soil, solar energy, market conditions, and family life are a natural mix for the holistic management framework – this is the arena where Holistic Management has found its greatest success.

Holistic Management poses answers to these questions

1.       How do I define success?

2.       Who are my most important collaborators and partners – how do I best communicate with them?

3.       How do I effectively deal with potential challenges?

4.       How much money should I spend, on what enterprises, with what expectations for results, and with what plan for changing course in the event of change?

5.       How do I best measure results?

6.       How do I engage my family in my business in a way that is healthy, productive, and a pleasant harmonious effort for all involved?

 

Give us a call

If you would like to explore real-world answers to these questions, we invite you to spend time on our website, then feel free to email, call, or write. We will be happy to visit with you --- and help you in any way we can.

Thank you.

 

Best regards,

Peter Holter, CEO

pholter@holisticmanagement.org

(505) 842-5252

www.holisticmanagement.org

 

 

E. E. "Mitch"  Mitchamore

www.hillcountrynatives.biz