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Develop observation skills
As you read or connect with people in the regen ag world, you will hear this call to develop observation skills.
The good news is that you can train yourself to notice details and patterns, sharpen your focus, and become more mindful of your surroundings. If you are out in the fields on a daily basis, this will be easier than for someone who spends a lot of time in front of a screen (computer or mobile).
The reward for developing this skill is profound. It will support your experimenter mindset and give you confidence to try new things, and notice the impact of any changes you make.
Here are some possible steps to cultivate and improve your observation skills.
1. Cultivate Awareness
What to do: Spend time walking your land daily. Notice changes in soil texture, plant health, insect activity, and weather patterns.
Why it matters: You will begin to detect subtle shifts that can guide your regenerative practices.
2. Sharpen Your Senses
What to do: Pay attention to the smells of the soil, the sounds of birds, the feel of the earth underfoot, and the colors of leaves or crops.
Why it matters: Healthy ecosystems exhibit clear sensory indicators that you can learn to recognise.
3. Pay Attention to the Details
What to do: Examine soil closely for organic matter, structure, and moisture. Observe pest and predator populations in your fields.
Why it matters: Small details often indicate larger trends in ecosystem health and resilience.
4. Practice Mindfulness
What to do: Stay present and pay full attention to what you’re doing and to your environment. It might help to carry a notebook so that if you get distracted thinking about tasks you need to 'not forget', jot them down and put them in a system you can trust.
Why it matters: Mindfulness helps you notice emerging patterns or problems early.
5. Keep a Journal
What to do: Document observations of rainfall, crop performance, animal behaviour, and soil changes. Include photos or sketches.
Why it matters: Tracking these details over time reveals patterns and the impact of your regenerative practices.
6. Develop Curiosity
What to do: Ask questions such as: _Why is this plant thriving here? What role does this insect play? Why is this happening? When did this start happening? What has happened that might have caused this? What has changed? What else is present, or no longer present in this system?
Don't assume to answer the questions, but hold the question lightly, and the or an answer might present itself. Don’t take anything at face value; dig deeper. The question "Why?" is your ally.
Why it matters: Curiosity leads to deeper understanding of ecological relationships and improves decision-making.
7. Slow Down
What to do: Spend time sitting or walking slowly in one area. Notice what you usually overlook, such as subtle changes in plant growth or soil colour.
Why it matters: Slowing down allows you to notice interactions between elements of your ecosystem.
8. Active Observation of Life Cycles
What to do: Monitor specific areas or species, such as the stages of plant growth, pollinator activity, or predator-prey dynamics.
Why it matters: Actively observing life cycles helps you understand natural rhythms.
9. Study and Reflect
What to do: Learn from other regenerative farmers, agronomists, and permaculturalists. Reflect on how their approaches could apply to your land.
Why it matters: Learning from others accelerates your ability to implement effective regenerative strategies.
10. Practice
What to do: Make daily observation a part of your farming routine, whether during chores or by creating times for deeper inspection.
Why it matters: Regular practice helps you tune into the land’s feedback and adapt your methods for improved outcomes.