A Whole-system Approach
by Brian T. O. Davis
Resilient Agriculture: A Whole-System Approach is your guide to building a productive, sustainable, and profitable farm—no matter where you are starting. Discover how to manage complexity, foster healthy ecosystems, and create lasting change, one practical step at a time.
Resilient Agriculture: A Whole-System Approach is a modern guide for anyone who wants to farm or grow in harmony with nature—while ensuring long-term economic and social success.
This book unpacks the complexity of today’s agriculture and gives you a clear framework for building resilience on your land, in your community, and in your business. Drawing from proven ecological principles, real-world experience, and the wisdom of both Indigenous and innovative practitioners, you’ll learn:
• The Ten Pillars of Resilient Agriculture—your roadmap for decision-making in a changing world
• How to develop your own Whole-System Management (WSM) Vision and use it to guide every action
• Step-by-step strategies for improving soil health, managing water, integrating biodiversity, and supporting your community
• Tools to balance profitability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility
• Practical examples, case studies, checklists, and sample templates to put ideas into action
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to transform your current operation, this book is a supportive companion and hands-on manual. Resilient Agriculture is about more than farming—it’s about building a future that lasts.
Author, Commercial Farmer, and Ecological Consultant.
Brian Davis is an author, commercial farmer, and consultant from south-central Labrador. As a NunatuKavummuk with deep roots in his community and decades of hands-on experience, Brian has become known for his ability to connect Indigenous knowledge with practical, modern agriculture. He specializes in systems-based approaches that bridge traditional wisdom and current science to solve real-world problems in food production, ecosystem restoration, and land management. Brian’s work spans everything from hands-on farm operations to industry consulting and organizational strategy. He helps growers, companies, and communities design and implement resilient, profitable operations while restoring and enhancing resiliency in both ecosystems and damaged lands. Drawing on a lifetime of living and working across Canada and the North, Brian focuses on what actually works; combining the strengths of his NunatuKavummiut heritage with practical, business-minded decision making. In his writing, teaching, and consulting, Brian is committed to helping others cut through the noise, manage complexity, and build systems that thrive under pressure. He fills gaps, makes connections, and brings clarity to challenging problems; always aiming for solutions that support people, land, and long-term resilience.