​

Holistic Management Framework

​

The Holistic Management Framework has been utilized worldwide for over 50 years. It is continuously developed to meet the evolving needs of farmers. By applying Holistic Management, farmers can achieve greater financial success, a better quality of life, and more productive land.

Holistic Management is a flexible decision-making framework that leverages local resources and fosters well-being in the local community. It is a farmer-led planning process that prioritizes human needs. The regenerative agriculture community has recognized that “Holistic Management® plays a significant role in successfully achieving the goals of regenerative agriculture” (Ann Adams, Holistic Management International, 2021).

​

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF THE HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

​​​

The Holistic Management Framework is based on two fundamental principles:

​

1. Nature operates as a whole,  A change in one aspect of a farm affects many others. Therefore, management should be viewed comprehensively, considering all interconnections.

2. Understand the natural environment in which you operate. This enables the selection of appropriate farming methods suited to the specific environment, allowing farmers to work in harmony with nature

 

Practices

​

Farm Inventory

​

Effective management requires a clear understanding of what is being managed. The first step in Holistic Management is defining the boundaries of the farm unit. This clarifies the factors that can be influenced.
A written inventory of all physical and intangible resources is created, including human resources, material resources, natural resources, skills, networks, and expertise.

​

Holistic Goal Setting

​

A holistic goal is the most critical part of the planning process, guiding all farm activities beyond just agriculture. It is developed collaboratively by all decision-makers.

​

Setting a holistic goal involves three stages:

​

1. Define your ideal life – Describe what your life would look like if you could decide freely. This broad statement may include goals such as a balanced life with sufficient rest, meaningful work, strong relationships, and financial security.

2. Determine actions needed – Identify what must be done to achieve and maintain the desired quality of life.

3. Envision the farm’s future – Consider what the farm should look like in the long term. What resources are needed to sustain the farm for 100 years?

 

A holistic goal evolves as the farm and its operators develop, providing direction based on the farmer’s values and adapting over time.

​

Ecosystem Processes​

​

Soil is the most important resource in agriculture. The Holistic Management Framework analyzes soil health using four ecosystem processes:

​

• Water cycle

• Nutrient cycle

• Biological community

• Energy flow (maximizing photosynthesis)

 

Monitoring and optimizing these processes help create healthy, productive land.

​

Tools for Managing Ecosystem Processes​

​

Holistic Management identifies seven tools for managing ecosystem processes. Each tool should be considered case-by-case, as multiple solutions exist for any given problem. The tools include:

​

• Creativity

• Technology

• Rest

• Fire

• Animals and living organisms

• Money

• Labor

 

Planning and Monitoring Processes​

​

Financial Planning

Financial planning improves farm profitability, regardless of production type or business situation. It is the most critical planning process for achieving holistic goals.

Financial planning helps identify and eliminate bottlenecks, optimize investment returns, and develop the farm systematically over the long term. It reduces costs and improves cash flow, ensuring a profitable business through reverse budgeting.

​

Future Planning

Future planning is a creative process that establishes the necessary infrastructure (physical and social) to achieve the farm’s holistic goals. It helps prioritize and implement development steps to enhance quality of life.

​

Marketing and Business Planning

This process strengthens farm business and marketing skills. The marketing plan aligns with farm goals and operational context, identifying strengths and new market opportunities while securing the farm’s position in the market. When integrated with the holistic goal and financial plan, it creates the foundation for farm success.

​

Crop Planning

Crop planning establishes a crop rotation system that optimizes economic returns while enhancing soil fertility. It helps identify suitable farming methods that mimic natural ecosystem functions.

​

Grazing Planning

Grazing planning ensures that livestock are in the right place at the right time for the right reason, considering their natural behaviors. This improves soil fertility and pasture growth, ensures consistent forage availability, enhances animal welfare and productivity, reduces costs, and streamlines livestock management.

​

Ecosystem Monitoring

Ecosystem monitoring plays a key role in regenerative agriculture by assessing the impact of farming practices on ecosystems. It enables early detection and correction of mistakes. Long-term monitoring tracks soil health improvements and optimizes management practices while demonstrating the benefits of regenerative methods.

​

In addition to the above, Holistic Management includes processes for:

​

• Succession planning

• Communication and leadership

• Time management

 

Decision-Making​

​

Farm management is fundamentally about decision-making. The Holistic Management Framework includes a seven-question decision-making framework to ensure that each decision aligns with holistic goals.

Individual decisions form a broader development trajectory, ultimately determining the farm’s success. The Holistic Management decision-making framework ensures that every choice moves the farm toward its holistic goal while automatically considering economic, social, and ecological impacts.

​

Monitoring​

​

The monitoring process evaluates the progress of planning processes. It helps detect potential errors early and adjust actions accordingly.

​

In Holistic Management, the assumption is that mistakes will happen. If no mistakes occur, it means not enough new ideas have been tested. The planning process makes Holistic Management a flexible system, allowing learning from mistakes and adapting to changing conditions. This adaptability ensures success in managing the farm holistically.

​

Author: Philipp Mayer

​

For more information on the Holistic Management Framework:

• www.holisticmanagement.org

• https://savory.global

• www.luonnonkoneisto.fi

• www.maa-akatemia.fi