In the midst of ecology's chaos there is process and there is principle. It is the process that we observe in order to understand the principles, and it is the principles that guide us towards sensible and efficient design.

Wherever a perturbation invades an existing ecosystem, be it a road-cut or a landslide, the process of colonization and regeneration begins again. In this newly established and immature ecosystem diversity is minimal and energy is wasted. The first objective is to stabilize the area and begin conserving all entering energies including sunlight, water, and wind. From the soil emerges the pioneer species - plants such as thistle, brambles, and alder. As these plants colonize the area they manifest over the soil an ever-increasing surface area of leaves capable of intercepting the sun's powerful energy while transforming and storing it within their community. In the process of stabilizing the formerly denuded area the pioneer species prepare the way for an increasing diversity of higher plants. These in turn invite the participation of insects, birds, and other animals and with these participants comes a new flush of nutrients thereby setting into motion an increasingly complex panoply of interactions.

As the ecosystem evolves, random distribution gives way to a mutualistic order as elements begin arranging themselves in proximity to the species and other processes that will support them. Eventually the pioneering plants absolve themselves and are replaced by those species capable of performing a wider range of functions. As the ecosystem matures the efficiency with which wastes are recycled and external influencing energies are conserved increases to the point where a steady state occurs and a climax condition is achieved. At this point evolution slows as maximum sustainability is achieved.

In the words of Paul Hawken, "In a climax system, the greater part of evergy is devoted to the continuation of the existing plant and animal communities, since all of the ecosystem is, in fact, colonized and inhabited. All present agriculture, whether it is slash-and-burn or sod breaking, involves the reversion of a climax system to a pioneering one. We exchanged stability and sustainability for short-term abundance and production."

Three case studies of such multi-cropping systems are being developed at the Wild Thyme Farm. Called "agroforestry systems" these constructed ecosystems blend agriculture with forestry to provide a wider range of products, ranging from food to wood resources, on a sustainable basis.

Food Agroforestry It is in the construction of fruit and nut agroforestry systems that we will find the greatest production of food and wood resources possible. On the Wild Thyme Farm such systems are being developed for sustainable harvesting of fruits, nuts, berries, and herbs as well as timber, small diameter craft wood, and animal forage crops.

Bamboo Agroforestry As bamboo is capable of occupying a wide variety of niches in the farm landscape we have situated groves throughout various micro-climates and have employed it in many onsite applications. By designing bamboo into mixed-use agroforestry complexes we will maximize its functionality while integrating it with other production crops.

Riparian Agroforestry Riparian bottomlands offer the most productive soils in the farm landscape. Historically they have also witnessed the greatest neglect due to mis-use. At the Wild Thyme Farm we are designing riparian agroforestry systems that protect the fragile ecology of riparian corridors while providing multiple yields for sustainable harvesting.