The Energetic Agriculture Podcast

The Man Who Spoke to Plants — And They Actually ListenedWhat would you say about a man who could sit…on a cactus…in front of a live audience...…and not move. Not flinch. Not bleed.Because the cactus had no spines.Not because he found it.But because he made it that way.Meet Luther BurbankA botanist who didn't just grow plants.He talked to them.And in ways science still can't explain…they talked back.Sounds Impossible? Too Mystical?Okay—but let's talk about fries.Not that you'd ever touch fast food, right?Of course not. Never.Definitely not at 11pm in a drive-thru.Wink.But if—hypothetically—you ever had one of those crispy golden fries from a certain global mega-chain… that potato was his.The Russet Burbank.Yes, the most widely consumed, industrially farmed, French-fried starch in America—the very potato that helped launch an empire of deep-fried convenience—came from this man.The man who sat on cacti, whispered to daisies, and believed that plants had personalities.The Man Behind the Big FryHe didn't work in white coats or test tubes.He used pruning shears, a notebook, and something deeper—a felt sense of communication with plants.In the early 1900s, ranchers in the American Southwest had a problem:Cattle were starving during droughts.So they chewed on prickly pear cactus—and ended up bleeding from the mouth.Burbank heard about it.He didn't just study the cactus.He spent years with it.Talking to it. Observing. Loving it.Trying to understand the will of the plant itself.“The secret of improved plant breeding... is love.” — Luther BurbankHe bred hundreds—hundreds—of Opuntia specimens.Until one day, the cactus responded.No spines.Just soft, fleshy pads—safe for cattle.And edible by humans.To prove it?He sat on one. In front of a crowd.And just smiled.Please Share this Article on any Groups you Frequent Online… More Need to Know this Truth. Thank you!What Made Burbank DifferentHe didn't just manipulate plants—he partnered with them.He believed they had memory. Emotion.Even a kind of intelligence.He treated each one as a unique individual.He refused to follow rigid scientific protocols.Instead, he spent hours—days—walking his gardens, whispering encouragement, noting every leaf twitch, every color shift, every scent change.Sometimes he'd wait 10 or 15 years just to see if a single cross would bloom the way he dreamed.“I am not making new things... I am helping nature express herself better.”That wasn't just his philosophy.It was his entire practice.A Saint Among the RosesAnd people noticed.Paramahansa Yogananda, one of the most revered spiritual teachers of the 20th century, met Burbank—and was so struck by his presence that he dedicated Autobiography of a Yogi to him.Not to a swami. Not to a sage.To a gardener.“A saint amidst the roses,” Yogananda called him.Their connection wasn't casual—it was soul-level.On a walk through Burbank's Santa Rosa garden, Yogananda heard the words that captured the essence of the man:“The secret of improved plant breeding, apart from scientific knowledge, is love.”They stopped beside a bed of edible cacti—yes, the famous thornless kind—and Burbank elaborated:“While I was conducting experiments to make ‘spineless' cacti,” he said, “I often talked to the plants to create a vibration of love. ‘You have nothing to fear,' I would tell them. ‘You don't need your defensive thorns. I will protect you.'”And the cactus listened.That's not metaphor.It actually dropped its spines.The plant changed its biology in response to trust.Beyond Biology—Into RelationshipThis is the core of Burbank's genius:Not just biology, but relationship.He didn't dominate nature.He collaborated with it.Listened. Adapted. Guided.Yogananda was so moved by this communion that he asked for some cactus pads to grow in his Mount Washington garden.When a workman stepped in to help, Burbank stopped him.“I myself will pluck them for the swami.”That's who he was.A Walnut Tree, a Twinkle in His EyeHe went on to show Yogananda a walnut tree that took just 16 years to produce an abundant harvest—a process that should've taken twice that time.With a twinkle in his eye, he described the possibilities—for both plants and people—when guided with care and intention.“The most stubborn living thing in this world... is a plant once fixed in certain habits... The human will is a weak thing beside the will of a plant.”But with love and patient attention, even that will could be shifted.“When it comes to so sensitive and pliable a thing as the nature of a child,” he said, “the problem becomes vastly easier.”Burbank saw humanity as one vast garden.And he believed that what worked in the soil...could also work in the soul.More Than Just WooSo yeah—maybe it all sounds a little woo.Talking to plants. Believing they respond to love.But then again…He gave us over 800 new plant species.He shaped modern agriculture.He gave us the potato that fed the world—and powered fast food empires.And still, that wasn't what moved him most.He and Yogananda spent hours dreaming about the future—not just of plants, but of people. They traded thoughts about education, Eastern and Western wisdom, yoga, reincarnation, mysticism.They even brainstormed the name of a magazine together.(They landed on East–West, naturally.)And Burbank wasn't just philosophizing from the sidelines.He took initiation into Kriya Yoga from Yogananda—and practiced it with devotion.“Sometimes I feel very close to the Infinite Power,” he told Yogananda, quietly.The Human SeedWhat stirred him more than a better walnut tree or thornless cactus...was the human seed—the potential in a child.He believed, as Yogananda did, that a new kind of education was needed:One that honored nature.Cultivated inner growth.Treated kids like whole people—not just data buckets.“Schools like yours are the only hope of a future millennium,” he said.That Vision Didn't Die With ThemMy wife Chiara helped start a school for our children and others based on those very ideals.It's called Piccolo Seme (Little Seed — in English)—originally rooted in the teachings of Yogananda, and in the same soil Burbank believed in.When the world was shutting down in 2020, and everything felt uncertain, that school became a lifeline for us—and for many families hungry for something more grounded, more joyful, more… real.And now, years later, I find myself still talking to plants in the garden.Still wondering what they know.Still trying to pass that spark on to my 10-year-old son—who usually just rolls his eyes when I get too mystical about my basil.But maybe someday, he'll get it.Maybe one day he'll feel what Burbank felt.That love isn't just something we feel—It's something we grow.And it grows back.What If...?What if the wildest ideas… aren't actually that wild?What if communion with nature isn't mysticism…but science we just haven't caught up to yet?What if you could learn to listen—really listen—to the life growing silently all around you?Burbank didn't just change plants.He changed the relationship we could have with them.And maybe…that's the part we're still catching up on.Let's talk more soon.Ray “Love Grows when we Plant Seeds” Lee BaconMore chapters of the Electroculture Foundations Guide are coming soon

If you've been in our community for a while, you've probably seen the name Viktor Schauberger pop up.Whenever we post about him—engagement spikes—comments flood in.It's no wonder.He's a legend in electroculture circles.Dubbed the Water Wizard, Schauberger spent his life studying the hidden intelligence of nature.He built spiral flumes that floated timber uphill. Machines that mimicked trout swimming upstream.His belief? That life flows in spirals, not straight lines—and that true innovation comes from observing and cooperating with those patterns.But his work didn't stop at water.Schauberger also turned his attention to agriculture.And he noticed something that most people overlooked:Steel and iron tools, when overused or misapplied, disturb the soil.He saw it firsthand—fields cultivated with iron implements often showed signs of fatigue. Crops weakened. The land grew less responsive.It wasn't that steel was inherently “bad”—in fact, in the right hands and placed with intention, ferromagnetic materials can amplify the Earth's magnetic field.That's the basis of magnetoculture.But left unchecked, iron particulates introduced into the soil from constant tilling or rust can:* Dry out the top layer* Disrupt soil magnetism* Interfere with microbial and energetic balanceSchauberger's solution?Copper.Together with engineer Franz Rosenberger, he designed a series of copper and zinc plows—some modeled on natural patterns, including one that mimicked the digging action of a mole.Yes a mole.The result?Yields increased by 30%.No chemicals. No inputs. Just better tools, aligned with nature's own intelligence.Why Copper Tools Work With Nature, Not Against ItSo—why does it work?Schauberger believed the answer was diamagnetism.Diamagnetic materials like copper, carbon, and water don't hold or distort magnetic fields.Instead, they create a gentle repelling effect—preserving the integrity of the Earth's energetic flow.In other words: copper doesn't interfere. It harmonizes.Ready to upgrade your garden for spring? View the collection → OJ ToolsCopper Tools & Soil Health: What the Research ShowsThis Isn't Just Theory—The Results Show ItIn a 2017 study from Maribor University in Slovenia, researchers compared a traditional steel hoe and a copper (bronze) hoe—handcrafted by OJ Tools—on two identical garden beds.Here's what they found:* ✅ Better water retention* ✅ Improved soil structure* ✅ Higher pH values* ✅ Stronger, more vigorous plant growthLeft = Copper / Right = SteelThe soil that had been worked with copper simply performed better.More hydrated, more alive, and more productive.Creator Spotlight: OJ ToolsThat's why this week, we're shining a light on OJ Tools—a brilliant independent maker crafting hand-forged copper garden tools, rooted in these very principles.Built with care. Designed for harmony.And just in time for spring planting.With a 12 year warranty — they currently ship to the UK and mainland Europe (apologies to our international folks—we're working on options).And just a heads-up: We do receive a small commission if you purchase through our link. But as always—we only recommend what we believe in. These tools aren't just beautiful—they work. And they support a maker doing something deeply aligned with our community's values.Why Copper Tools Make a Difference—for You✅ No Rust = No Soil ContaminationCopper doesn't oxidize like steel, so your soil stays clean and balanced.✅ Supports a Thriving MicrobiomeCopper used sparingly helps beneficial microbes flourish—without disrupting the life underground.✅ Improves Water RetentionCopper may indirectly enhance soil structure and hydration—especially useful in dry spells.✅ Energetically HarmonizedCopper, water, and carbon are all diamagnetic—meaning they work together without interference.✅ Feels Beautiful to UseGardeners often describe copper tools as smoother, more precise, and simply more enjoyable to work with.Let's bring Schauberger's vision to life—one garden at a time.And hey—do you know an incredible maker, toolsmith, or earth-aligned innovator we should feature next?We're always on the lookout for creators doing meaningful work in harmony with nature. Maybe that applies to you!? Just hit reply and let us know.Talk soon,Ray “Copper is Soft so be Gentle” Lee BaconWe will be discussing more about Schauberger's work with water shortly… so join us for upcoming articles in your inbox :) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com/subscribe

This is a compelling follow up to my last email 4 days prior. If you didn't read that — you can do so here. I added an audio version for your listening pleasure. Enjoy. Sometimes, when the right teacher touches your shoulder at just the right moment—something transfers.Not knowledge, exactly.Not facts.But a kind of knowing.A felt-sense. A subtle alignment. Like something dormant inside you suddenly wakes up and remembers what to do.That's how it was with Alanna Moore.I'd already studied permaculture for years. I knew about all the environmental factors influencing growth, designing with zones and creating epic compost—I thought I had the whole map.Then she handed me a pendulum.And suddenly, the map had layers I'd never seen before—deeper layers. She called it Sensitive Permaculture.It wove in the spirits of place. The unseen relationships. Fairies, devas, the land's intelligence—not as metaphor, but as reality. It was grounded, but not just in soil. It was rooted in relationship.And Alanna?Well, she might be the most eccentric woman I've ever met.Sharp as a blade. Humble to a fault. Kind of witchy in the best way—not that she'd ever call herself that.Her hair was often a little wild, like the wind had a fondness for her.She was so sensitive she couldn't fly without wearing a full silver garment over her head. Not for fashion. For radiation protection.She's electro-sensitive. Airports make her sick. Cell towers, too.But don't mistake the quirks for weakness. She's an absolute force. She taught me more in a few days about tuning into plants, trees, and landscapes than I'd learned in years of reading.And what stuck with me most—was dowsing.She placed her hands on my shoulders once while I held the pendulum.“Just feel,” she said. “Wait. Let it move.”And it did.Not because I forced it, but because I was entrained. My field linked with the tree, or the soil, or the question—and the pendulum responded like a compass needle finding true north.It's funny they used to call it “water witching” in the South. There's something to that. It's not magic, but it's not not magic either.It's tuning.I started using the pendulum to orient trees for transplanting. I'd hold the sapling in one hand, extend the pendulum in the other, and slowly rotate the plant.When the alignment was right—it would swing.The feeling in my body was undeniable. Like an out-breath. My nervous system would sigh. Everything would soften.I'd try moving it back the other way and instantly feel tension, a subtle anxiety. Like the tree was saying, no, not there.Over time, I didn't need the pendulum anymore.Now it takes seconds.I can walk onto a site, hold a plant, and feel its orientation snap into place. The signal is clear. My body is the dowsing rod. The tension tells me everything I need to know.And what's wild?When I come back later, and I look—really look—at the way those trees have grown, I see a kind of geometry unfold. The branches stretch in harmony with their neighbors. There's a flow, a coherence.As if the tree already knew where it needed to go, and I just listened long enough to hear it. This is divination. Not fortune-telling — not pattern recognition — but pattern-listening. Root-level knowing.You're not imposing.You're not instructing.You're asking.And you're trusting the answer.Are you willing to trust me?In service to the greater harmony,Ray “Whispers from the Roots” Lee BaconPS. Let me know what type of articles, emails and the like that you want me to write more of. I read every comment. Thanks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com/subscribe

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In this episode we're focusing on PYRAMIDS - their energy, astronomical alignments, & amazing power! Looking to see the effects of pyramid energy yourself?  Check out these pyramid kits!  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

In this last episode covering the Galaxy Garden, we focus on the techniques used in the creation of this high-performing garden.  Topics include:  design patterns, paramagnetic amendments, energetic charging, biochar & beneficial microbes, cosmoculture, shape energy / feng shui, and more! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

In this episode, we continue Ray's story about the galaxy garden, touching on dowsing sacred sites (unknown as such at the time), the Etruscans, some of the amazing harvests that were achieved, and a strange encounter with a UFO.... all related to this sacred land! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

In this episode co-host Ray Bacon shares his experience with a growing crops on a very unique piece land, rich in energy & historical significance.  A highlight of this episode is how his crops on this geographically colder piece of land significantly outperform his other crops found in much warmer local regions.  Why???Join us & learn more about the energetics and history of this unique region and how others had similar results in cold growing areas, too! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

Come join us on a journey into the various forms of ENERGY... From the  global electromagnetic circuit to the various forms of subtle energies:  Ether, Prana, Chi, and even our own intent & consciousness!Learn what these energies are, how they connect us, and some of the crazy ways that they enhance crop growth!See EnergeticGrowers.com/podcast for more info! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

In this episode I formally introduce my future co-host and Energetic Agriculture Facebook Group partner, Ray Lee Bacon.  In this episode we're going to hear all about Ray's backstory as a microgreens farmer and his entry into the world of energetic agriculture.  #consciousness #farming This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

In this episode I share my struggle to understand how paramagnetic towers have such large range of influence - diving into my own spirituality, channellers, multi-dimensional aspects of biology and perhaps magnetism as well.  It's more exploration on the "woo" side of things as a potential answer to the unexplained benefits of these amazing energetic structures.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

In this episode, part 4 and final episode of the mini-series on the flavors of Energetic Agriculture (EA), I'm going to move away from pure electroculture and instead talk briefly about the some use of some subtle energies in agriculture.  Topics include lunar gardening, consciousness, pyramid energy and more...  There are many many more areas of subtle energy not covered here like ley lines, radionics, orgone energy and more... Stay tuned for more! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

In this episode, part 3 of the mini-series on the flavors of Energetic Agriculture (EA), we're going to talk about how the ancients used naturally-occurring materials to create energetic structures to enhance the growth of their crops.  Topics include their use of rocks, cairns, dolmens, telluric energy and more!  By  ElectricFertilizer.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

In this episode, part 2 of a mini-series describing the various domains of Energetic Agriculture (EA), we will be focusing on Magnetoculture.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

In this episode, part 1 of a mini-series of the various domains of Energetic Agriculture (EA), we will be focusing on Electroculture.  It's focus will be o an overview of the 3 main domains of pure electroculture:  DC, AC and High-Voltage based electric stimulation of plants and crops.   This episode is sponsored by ElectricFertilizer.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

In this episode I'm going to share a high-level view into the effects that electroculture and more generally, energetic agriculture has on plant growth.  We're going to cover effects like increases in growth rate, yield, flavor and disease resistance and removal.  Join us to learn more!  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

In this episode, I'm going to start off with sharing the origin story of my getting into electroculture, over 12 years ago.  From there I'll get into skepticism about it, the path I took towards writing my book, and a very high-level view of the modern history of electroculture.This a short episode that essentially shares my origin story and my thinking that eventually led me onto this amazing path of experimenting, writing, and building crop-energizing gadgetry :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com

In our very first episode, we'd like to whet your appetite by giving you a very brief overview of what energetic is about...  Growing plants with electricity, magnetism, and other stuff too (more on that later!). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electroculture.substack.com