Erosion From Upstream Damages This Farm + Wendell Berry's "Damage" episode artwork

EPISODE · May 21, 2026 · 6 MIN

Erosion From Upstream Damages This Farm + Wendell Berry's "Damage"

from Great Big Farmer · host Great Big Farmer

Somewhere upstream, a farmer has altered the path of water. Cutting deep gulleys and picking up soil, it made its' way onto this farm. Slowing in a waterway with natural grass banks lined with trees, the water dropped some of the soil and stone. Pulled by gravity and unable to flow in the plugged waterway, it flowed into our pastures and cropland. With deposits of six to eight inches, the pasture is now low ground and water is flowing in it. Similarly, the field planted in rye is now low ground and will probably continue to receive silt deposits throughout the year. An excavator will be needed to repair the damaged stream....costly in several ways (1) the ecosystem is damaged (2) the cropland and pasture will be permanently damaged having been buried in sediment (3) time (4) money, probably a couple of thousand dollars or more.I read a relevant bit from "What Are People For" by Wendell Berry to finish things off.Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary SnyderPlease contact me with your own [email protected]

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published May 21, 2026

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Erosion From Upstream Damages This Farm + Wendell Berry's "Damage"

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