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 families 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 single person that is in Jen’s audience is capable and willing, that still amounts to approximately 0.08% of the Thai 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.

The crux of what Jennifer described regenerative farming to be is in opposition to what the current thought process — leaving nature to naturally regenerate. Jen states that the land needs a helping hand, be it from shade of shrubbery, or local ecology. One of the points Jen raised was that many natural plants, often harmonise. Certain fruits should be planted following certain crops. I am sure that there is definitive scientific measurements for pH. levels etc. that can be produced on the subject, but the fact remains that what was once natural instinct to farmers must now be taught. Jen explained that years ago she remembered the entire farm being sand-like in quality, but by introducing fauna — in this case cattle — urinating, defecating and trampling waste into the dirt, managed to cultivate the soil for horizon based ecology such as worms etc. later that day showing us where the sand-like soil has still remained, reused for pathways, along with worm mounds showing the impressive size of burrows, proving horizon based fauna to be adaptive to changes. Where Western depictions of farmland tend to be exposed, tilled fields that are the by-product of monoculture industrial practices, Jen advocates for a natural biodiverse ecology of flora, providing much needed shade and habitat for fauna — be it lizards, bees, snails or as simple a feed for the introduction of livestock.

Jennifer introduced me to her father, Nick whom I had only a little time to conversate with. Nick originally came to Thailand in 1982, and has seen the full circle of events from what was once naturally “Organic” then back again. Nick was a little shy of his appearance having spent the day at the farm, but I assured him that is exactly how he should look. A hard-days work is a proud thing to wear at the end of the day, in my humble opinion. It was good to see Nick’s opinion not just on the farm and organic practices but his view on the current economic climate as a whole. Nick has a positive view of the future, believing that it is the time of the “International Person” and that constant evolution and reinvention needed in today’s working climate to be a positive thing. My views are more sceptical, but I am also a decade into mastering my own craft (and third career shift, despite my ripe old age of 33). It was truly a welcoming and positive experience, with such positivity it is easy to see how they have gained popularity, and every individual effort, is how change begins. If you are ever in Thailand in season, I would highly recommend visiting Udon Organic Farm and purchasing their produce. Without support, efforts like these are impossible. There is no denying that Udon, Isaan and perhaps the whole world is a little better off, than if Udon Organic Farm and Jennifer’s book never were to exist — and that is why I am a champion of ‘showing your workings” as much as “doing the math.”

Thank you to Udon Organic Farm for your hospitality. If you wish to learn more on regenerative farming you can find Jennifer on YouTube and Instagram among others, her book is available in Thai domestically for 325 Thai Baht. If you are reading this from Thailand, I highly encourage you to support where possible. My project Soul of the Planet may be on hiatus as I build Discover Temples of Thailand, the ramifications of rapid modernisation and industrialisation remain close and are a constant driving factor in my creative endeavours.

This essay was shot using ZEISS Batis 1.8/85 Sonnar │ The lens was not provided, sponsored, or discounted, despite prior professional affiliations.