Systems Thinking about Farms

What is Systems Thinking?

Systems Thinking is a way of looking at the whole picture for interdependencies among the participating individual parts, knowing that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

A systems structure is the pattern of interrelationships among components of the system.  A systems thinker pays attention to and gives voice to the interconnected set of elements and the patterns over time, while identifying root causes.

We are surrounded by natural and human-made systems.  Agriculture and food distribution is one example of a complex system where human and natural systems affect and influence each other. 

In this issue, we are emphasizing the food production and distribution systems of Whidbey Island.  Each farm is comprised of natural and human agriculture systems and practices that benefit growth, business and the economy of the island through cooperative, sustainable efforts.  The farms featured are just a handful of what’s available on the Island.

“Information holds systems together and plays a great role in determining how they operate.” (Meadows, 2008).  We embrace the farming community on the Island by learning more about their products, production practices, and operations and we share information through cooperative organizations like Whidbey Island Grown Cooperative.  

We share in the bounty of the farming community on Whidbey through our support of locally grown and sourced products.  We can find most anything locally:  fresh, whole fruits and vegetables (mostly organic certified or organic processes used), meats, grains, dairy, canned foods, baked goods, the list goes on! 

As each farm represents an integrated and complex system for producing products, we embrace the profession of farming, the timing, hard work, and love that goes into every part that makes up the whole. 

And, we encourage you to go to the Whidbey Island Grown Cooperative site and sign up to order your farm-fresh foods and products today!  Sustainable farming and food sourcing is the way our ancestors fed themselves and it is the way of our future!  Eat healthy and support your local farms and businesses!