The Philosophical Farmer—Cultivating the Mind Alongside the Land

Jul 18

I know, today’s post is a hard right turn over what I usually post but something that is near and dear to my heart. Philosophy. Farming is often seen as a physical trade—waking early, working hard, managing livestock and soil. But the best farmers aren’t just laborers or technicians—they’re thinkers. There’s a quiet tradition, as old as agriculture itself, that links farming with philosophy. From the writings of ancient Greeks to modern agrarian thinkers, philosophy offers farmers something priceless: perspective.

In a world driven by profit margins and production metrics, becoming a philosophical farmer might be your most radical act of resilience and purpose.

What Is a Philosophical Farmer?

A philosophical farmer is someone who:

Seeks wisdom in everyday tasks
Reflects on the deeper meaning of work and land stewardship
Balances practical knowledge with timeless truths
Values being over having

This farmer sees the field not just as a business, but as a classroom and sanctuary—a place to wrestle with questions like:

What is a good life?
What is enough?
How should we live in harmony with nature?

Why Read Philosophy as a Farmer?

1. Cultivate Patience and Presence

Reading stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius or Seneca teaches you to accept what you can’t control (like weather or markets) and focus on what you can: effort, integrity, and your attitude.

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” — Marcus Aurelius

2. Strengthen Your Connection to Nature

Thoreau, Wendell Berry, and Aldo Leopold remind us that farming is not just extraction—it’s relationship. They challenge us to see land as a living partner, not a machine.

3. Sharpen Critical Thinking

Reading philosophers helps you question assumptions about success, ownership, and productivity. It helps clarify your values—not just your goals.

4. Guide Ethical Decisions

Whether it’s how you treat animals, manage your labor, or price your hay, philosophical reflection helps you lead with principle, not just profit. Farmers tend to universally have what people call “Midwest Values”, which often means morals and integrity. Two philosophers who I read most on these topics are Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill. Kant’s Universalizability Principle states “Act only according to that maxim (principle) which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law without contradiction". In other words, carry yourself in such a manner that if everyone else were doing the same thing, you would be satisfied - with no exceptions. This is something we at Fordyce Fields strive to emulate daily, as many farmers do.

5. Prevent Burnout

Farming is demanding. Philosophy provides mental tools for endurance, meaning-making, and renewal. It reminds you why you chose this life in the first place.

How to Farm Philosophically

Start your mornings with a short reading or reflection
Keep a farm journal not just for data, but for thoughts and questions
Walk your land mindfully, without agenda
Discuss ideas with family, friends, or fellow farmers
Re-evaluate your why every season

Conclusion

Reading philosophy won’t make your crops grow faster or your hay cut easier—but it will make you more thoughtful, more grounded, and more resilient. In a noisy world, the philosophical farmer is rare—but desperately needed.

When you farm with wisdom, humility, and wonder, every chore becomes a meditation. Every harvest, a hymn.

Sean Fordyce