Navdanya Biodiversity Farm Visit

Take a closer look at what inspired Rose Williamson, HFC Fellow at Loyola Marymount University, to join Herbicide-Free Campus.

Prior to the pandemic, I had the opportunity to spend a few days on Navdanya Biodiversity Farm, also known as ‘Earth University.’ This learning center in Uttarakhand, India is the manifested vision of eco-feminist, physicist, and world-renowned activist, Vandana Shiva. In my time there, I gained a deep appreciation for holistic living, which ignited the passion that eventually led me to Herbicide-Free Campus. 

Several of my experiences at the Biodiversity farm left a lasting impression, including bearing witness to their seed bank and the farm’s overall resourcefulness. One of Navdanya’s pillars is setting up farmers for agricultural success through a holistic approach. Navdanya ensures the wellbeing of their farmers, and biodiversity as a whole, through their seed bank. The seed banks act as a form of insurance against corporations that promote monoculture and create cycles of dependency on their pesticides. Navdanya’s seed bank has over 700 different types of rice, 170 types of vegetables, 240 types of wheat, and a vast variety of other seeds.  

The photo on the right above showcases one of the many cabinets home to rice varieties. Our host explained that the seed bank engages in a give-and-take relationship with its farmers. When farmers source seeds from the seed bank, they then must return the seeds that are produced from the bounty of their harvest that season. Thus, the bank is perpetually cycling, growing, and preserving biodiversity. 

Another striking aspect of Navdanya was what they were able to do with the resources the land provided them. I was able to celebrate Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors, on the farm and experience the vibrance and beauty of the holiday created by the colors/natural dyes made from plants. In recent decades, powder paints with toxic agents are often cheaply produced for the holiday. However, at Navdanya, we were able to make our own natural powder paints using  turmeric, beets, and other plants. 

Additionally, all of the meals we received were from the Biodiversity Farm’s land or one of Navdanya’s local farmers. The self-sufficiency I witnessed was a very grounding experience, for it connected me to the land by providing sustenance, as well as a new cultural experience. 

What was most impactful about this experience was Earth University’s multifaceted approach to biodiversity and holistic living. On the farm, Navdanya staff were growing their own food, preserving historic seed varieties, and living a more sustainable lifestyle. Not only that, but, they were also involved in ongoing litigation against the infringement on farmers rights by giant national and multinational corporations. What it taught me was that addressing environmental injustices can take many forms, and there are personal decisions to be made and opportunities to join with others and make change. 

After my experience at Navdanya Biodiversity Farm, I knew it was time for me to move beyond making individual lifestyle changes, and instead, add a new component of advocating for environmental change. One month later, I applied to be an HFC Student Fellow, and I am immensely thankful to the Biodiversity Farm and Vandana Shiva’s work for igniting this passion of mine.





Mackenzie Feldman