Udon Organic Farm is only five minutes away from my home, ten if the lights are red. Despite that, I had no knowledge of their endeavours despite their online popularity. Only recently did a video showcasing the farm pop up on my YouTube watch list, and I was impressed by Jennifer’s efforts past typical “Organic” stereotypes and her passion for sustainable “Regenerative Farming” with her going so far as to write a book on the subject. If you have been only a passing viewer of my work you will have seen me lament the passing of subsistence farming within Isaan especially, and the relentless industrialisation of a culture so tied to the land. Jen has a far more positive outlook on the situation and shows us the resilience of Thai ecology, providing proof that what takes decades in comparably adverse climates to regenerate, takes but years here.

Essays like these are immensely difficult to write, as the knowledge that Jen is now providing is common as calling the grass green to older Thai farmers. Yet, the older generation (many illiterate) would not be able to articulate this, certainly not in any comprehensive way. Even my partner Dao, who speaks the local Isaan dialect fluently is often unable to understand those such as Bunmi or Nut who we have featured previously. Jen on the other hand must be applauded for her delivery, and I am a little envious of her command of the Thai language. If I had spent less time building cabins and foxholes and more time learning Thai as a child, I wouldn’t be the person I am today so I am overall happy with this concession. Though attentive of her teachings and presentation, it was also very welcome to speak with another “Luk Khrueng” or “Mixed Race Child” though Jen seemed to be far more receptive of Thai ways than I ever could be. It is difficult for me to write without addressing my diasporic view as it truly tints everything I see, and not often rose. That said, Jen is clearly (and effectively) engaging with a Thai audience, something I have given up on a long time ago.

What is regenerative farming? Before I answer this with what I have learned from Jen, I would like another opportunity to discuss subsistence farming, and the history of Isaan as observed by myself through these past twenty years — some as a child, others an inquisitive photographer. Subsistence farming is simply living off the land. Historically in Thailand family’s are large, my mother being one of around a dozen and her mothers family double again. For context myself, Dao and surprisingly Jen, all have a single sibling. This birth rate decline coupled with younger generations pursuing contemporary work within urban settings, has caused a massive loss in workforce. Once a family would have enough land and grow enough rice to last the year and in the seasons between, rear livestock or plant seasonal vegetables. Fruit farms (such as the expensive durian) and rubber plantations were the first step commodifying farming in Thailand, and it has now expanded to rice and almost all produce. With the introduction to capitalism and the need for money, a barter and trade culture has been forced to adapt. Taxes, fuel, electricity and more needing to be paid for, leading to over-farming, thus spoiling of a once naturally fertile basin.

Thailand is blessed that it can learn from international practises, as this issue has been concurrent for many decades elsewhere. Only in the past ten to twenty years has Thailand encountered over farming and the use of chemical pesticides, climate change and water shortage. Jen makes a strong argument that it is not too late for Thailand’s ecosystems to regenerate, with a little helping hand. For myself personally, I see a far larger macro problem and how humanity as a whole and their indifference to nature is a slope we have already slid too far down. Arguments from both parties for and against conservation akin to the Mad Hatter’s tea party, and solutions proffered that the Red Queen would be proud of (if you are new here get used to the Alice references, we are not in wonderland but Carrol sure as hell saw this parade coming). Perhaps Isaan may be brought from the brink, but I don’t see it. Not when China hordes water with dams so large they have tilted Earth off its natural axis, and factories that take ten minutes to drive past at 100KMH. But as long as it’s not happening wherever you are reading this from, its not a problem, right? This issue will only get worse with “Major Financial Incentives” from the likes of Tik Tok, opening data centres and server farms, it makes me very sceptical of what individuals can do. Even with an impressive 50K audience, providing every singe person that is in Jen’s audience is capable and willing, that still amounts to approximately 0.8% of the population. And most if not all certainly are not in a position to cultivate over 100 Rai (40 Acres) of land as Udon Organic Farm does.