What is Holistic Management?

By Jeanette Oslund
July 24, 2024

What is Holistic Management?

Holistic Management is a comprehensive decision-making framework that integrates social, economic, and environmental considerations to manage resources sustainably. It was developed by Allan Savory, a Zimbabwean ecologist and livestock farmer. The goal of HM is to create thriving ecosystems by improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, and restoring natural water cycles. The holistic approach approach aims to regenerate degraded landscapes, improve ecosystem function, and build biodiversity by mimicking natural processes¹ ²

Holistic Management International (HMI)

Holistic Management International (HMI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and supporting farmers, ranchers, and land managers in adopting holistic management practices. HMI offers training programs, workshops, and resources that empower individuals to make informed decisions that benefit their land, communities, and economies. By promoting HM, HMI aims to foster regenerative agriculture and land stewardship worldwide. Founded in 1984 by Allan Savory and Jody Butterfield, HMI has trained over 70,000 people in more than 130 countries. The organization’s mission is to envision and realize healthy, resilient lands and thriving communities by serving people in the practice of holistic decision-making and management³ ⁴.

Key Principles and Practices

Holistic Management involves several key principles and practices, including:

Holistic Goal Setting & Decision Testing: Establishing clear goals and testing decisions against these goals to ensure they align with the desired outcomes.
Holistic Financial Planning: Creating financial plans that support sustainable practices and long-term viability.
Holistic Grazing Planning: Managing livestock to mimic the behavior of wild herds, which helps regenerate soils and improve ecosystem health.
Holistic Land Planning: Designing land use plans that consider the interconnectedness of all ecosystem components.
Holistic Biological Monitoring: Regularly monitoring biological indicators to assess the health of the ecosystem and make necessary adjustments ¹ ²

Holistic Management Beyond Agriculture: How does this help your business?

Holistic Management is not just for land and livestock; it is a versatile framework that can be applied to all aspects of life. The principles of HM encourage a comprehensive, systems-thinking approach to problem-solving, making it relevant in various contexts, including personal life and business management.

Holistic Management in Business

Businesses can benefit immensely from applying holistic management principles. Here are some ways HM can be integrated into business management⁵:

Holistic Goal Setting: Just as HM emphasizes creating a holistic context for land management, businesses can define a comprehensive vision that includes financial, social, and environmental goals. This ensures that business decisions are aligned with long-term sustainability and profitability.
Decision-Making Framework: HM provides a structured approach to decision-making that considers the impact of each decision on the entire system. Businesses can use this framework to evaluate the short-term and long-term consequences of their actions, leading to more thoughtful and effective strategies.
Resource Management: By treating resources (financial, human, and material) as interconnected parts of a whole system, businesses can optimize their use and reduce waste. This holistic view helps in creating more resilient and efficient operations.
Employee Engagement and Well-being: HM’s emphasis on the well-being of all stakeholders can be translated into better employee engagement and satisfaction. By fostering a healthy work environment and addressing employees’ needs, businesses can enhance productivity and loyalty.
Community and Environmental Impact: Holistic Management encourages considering the broader impact of business activities on the community and environment. This perspective can lead to more responsible corporate behavior and stronger community relations.

Practical Steps for Implementing Holistic Management in Business

Develop a Holistic Context: Create a clear and comprehensive vision for the business that integrates economic, social, and environmental objectives.
Adopt a Systems Thinking Approach: Recognize and manage the interconnections between different aspects of the business, from supply chain to customer relationships.
Use Decision Testing Guidelines: Implement HM decision-testing guidelines to evaluate the potential impacts of business decisions on the holistic context.
Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement: Encourage ongoing learning and adaptation, ensuring that the business remains resilient and responsive to change.
Engage Stakeholders: Involve employees, customers, suppliers, and the community in the decision-making process to ensure that diverse perspectives are considered and valued.

Well-Known Practitioners of Holistic Management

Allan Savory

Allan Savory is the pioneer of Holistic Management. His groundbreaking work demonstrated that planned grazing can reverse desertification, a major global environmental issue¹ ². Savory’s holistic approach challenges conventional agricultural practices and offers innovative solutions for restoring degraded landscapes. He is also the founder of the Savory Institute, an organization that continues to advance the principles of HM through education and research.

Joel Salatin

Joel Salatin is a prominent farmer and author who advocates for sustainable and regenerative farming practices. At his Polyface Farm in Virginia, Salatin applies holistic management principles to create a diverse and productive ecosystem. His innovative techniques, such as rotational grazing and pasture-based livestock farming, have inspired farmers around the world to adopt more sustainable practices. He is known for his innovative and sustainable farming techniques that emphasize healthy grass and symbiotic relationships between animals⁵. Salatin’s work emphasizes the importance of transparency, local food systems, and ethical animal husbandry.

Gabe Brown

Gabe Brown is a North Dakota farmer and a leading voice in the regenerative agriculture movement. Through holistic management, Brown transformed his conventional farm into a model of soil health and biodiversity. His approach includes no-till farming, cover cropping, and diverse crop rotations, all of which contribute to improved soil structure and increased carbon sequestration. Brown’s success demonstrates the economic viability of regenerative practices and their potential to mitigate climate change. His book, “Dirt to Soil,” details his journey into regenerative farming⁶.

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin is a renowned animal behaviorist and professor of animal science. While not a direct practitioner of holistic management, her work in improving livestock handling and welfare complements the principles of HM. Grandin’s designs for humane livestock facilities have revolutionized the industry, ensuring that animals are treated with respect and care. Her work has revolutionized the livestock industry and promoted humane treatment of animals⁷.

Holistic Management in Popular Culture

The principles of holistic management have gained mainstream attention through documentaries that highlight the importance of regenerative agriculture.

Kiss the Ground

“Kiss the Ground” is a documentary that explores the potential of regenerative agriculture to combat climate change. The film features interviews with experts, including Allan Savory, who discuss how holistic management practices can restore degraded soils and sequester carbon. “Kiss the Ground” presents a hopeful vision of the future, showing how farmers and consumers can work together to heal the planet⁸.

The Biggest Little Farm

“The Biggest Little Farm” follows the journey of John and Molly Chester as they transform a barren piece of land into a thriving, biodiverse farm. Through the use of holistic management principles, the Chesters demonstrate the challenges and rewards of regenerative farming. The film highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the importance of working with nature to create resilient agricultural systems⁹.

Conclusion

Holistic Management and Holistic Management International play a crucial role in advancing sustainable and regenerative agriculture. Through the efforts of pioneers like Allan Savory, Joel Salatin, Gabe Brown, and Temple Grandin, these practices are gaining recognition and adoption worldwide. Documentaries like “Kiss the Ground” and “The Biggest Little Farm” further amplify the message, inspiring a new generation of land stewards to embrace holistic management and work towards a healthier planet.

By incorporating holistic management practices not only in agriculture but also in business and personal life, we can create more sustainable and resilient futures for our lands, our communities, our economies, and our planet.

Would you like more information? Find links below

Links:

More about using Holistic Management in business:

Holistic Approach in Business: Definition, Characteristics and Benefits

About Allan Savory:

About Gabe Brown and his book, Soil to Dirt:

soilhealthacademy.org