Farmer-poet Wendell Berry’s environmental ethics were deeply rooted in his Christian faith and belief in caring for creation

Berry’s belief that humans have a responsibility to care for God’s creation traces back to the Book of Genesis. So does an opposing argument for environmental exploitation.

By: Kristy Nabhan-Warren, University of Iowa, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 4, 2026

Words: 1,136

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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By Kristy Nabhan-Warren, University of Iowa

For most of his 92 years, Wendell Berry farmed his Lane’s Landing homestead in Henry County, Kentucky, using methods that embraced the land. He preferred draft horses to diesel-powered tractors and used crop rotation and manure fertilizer to naturally nurture his fields.

The widely revered poet-farmer, who wrote passionately about rural American life and humans’ responsibility to care for the land, believed in practicing what he preached.

Those …

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