On Good Land , written by Michael Ableman, Chronicle Books, 1998
Book review by Stephen Parker
Recently, desirous of inspiration, I re-read a book that I acquired sometime ago, On Good Land, by Michael Ableman. In this, his second book, Ableman writes about his experiences and evolving philosophy during his 20 years of managing a twelve acre organic farm located in the midst of the suburban sprawl of Southern California. The farm in this tremendously moving account is Fairview Gardens.
On Good Land was not written as a raw food book, but it is no less inspirational for any raw foodist who has an appreciation for the good earth on which we live and all that it provides for us.
Ableman writes joyfully and reverently of his own and humanity’s relationship to the earth, the soil and the teeming life that it supports. Fairview Gardens has a rich history and has come perilously close to being swallowed up by the “progress” of urban sprawl. In his recounting of how bulldozers methodically cleared and destroyed the last piece of agricultural land that bordered the farm, Ableman poignantly writes: “With each day the farm was becoming more like an island. All around us, the once fertile and agrarian valley became had become a sea of track homes and shopping centers. The complete sense of isolation was the hardest to take. With this last development, the farm would be surrounded by suburbia. We were now completely out of context.” Ableman goes on to describe the struggles and success of seeing that this small twelve acre farm is assured of a future and place in the community. The struggles include political and legal battles while the successes include truly inspiring grassroots outreach programs.
On Good Land is not the account of a raw foodist, but it is about the intensely alive experience of fresh organic raw foods and the essential place these foods have in our lives and their insuring our health and wellbeing. Raw foodists understand the ecstasy of eating a fresh perfectly ripe peach or mango. We are becoming conscious of the subtle energy (or lack thereof) of the food we eat. Ableman seems to understand this too. Describing one of the farm’s educational outreach programs for fatherless boys from south central Los Angeles, he writes: “I let them loose within the rows of the tall cherry tomato vines and watched their brain cells exploding with new information as they harvested and ate vine ripe tomatoes for the first time in their lives. We split open watermelons still warm from the sun and feasted on the hearts. This was real education--no plant identification exercises or in-depth lectures on soil, just the experience of seeing and eating food in context.”
Under Ableman’s guardianship, this little farm has taught thousands about their essential relationship with the land and earth. In addition, with its fresh whole organic bounty, this farm feeds hundreds of families each year. It has become a model for farmers and farms that seek similar visions, feeding humanity in a way that nurtures the earth. As a raw foodist, this is my goal, to feed myself in such a way that I am nurtured as I nurture the planet.
Just as we strive to provide the balanced conditions necessary for the health of our bodies, the land also requires balance. In reading this account of Fairview Gardens I am reminded that our physical bodies are microcosms of the larger earth. “Undisturbed meadows and native forests are rarely overrun by pests and diseases. Surely, we can emulate these natural systems…by providing the proper conditions for plant health.” Couldn’t that just as easily read “for our body’s health?” Later, Ableman writes that “Insect problems are generally a sign that something more fundamental is lacking in the system.” Here again, just substitute the word symptoms for “insect problems” and one can easily apply this farm wisdom to the human body.
In our raw food circles we often discuss the topic of treating the symptoms of disease versus treating the cause. This too is addressed. Writing of the quick cures that are available to the organic farmer Ableman says “They are far less toxic…but come from the same mentality of solving problems with a miracle cure rather than by addressing the source of the problem.”
On Good Land is a lively and moving account that reminds us of our connection to the earth. It contains an abundance of Ableman’s color photography expertise. There are beautiful images of children, soil, animal life, luscious fruits, succulent vegetables and happy people. Notably, I was tremendously moved as I read of, and experienced through Ableman’s images, the powerful affect that nature has on the human spirit. Our natural raw food is our connection to the earth. Ableman skillfully reminds us of this universal truth.