The Case Against Techno-Fixes with Chris Smaje

01/08/25 • 46 min

In the face of climate change and biodiversity loss, the solutions we hear the most are technological ones - many of which mirror the economic and philosophical approaches that precipitated these crises in the first place. But what if that vision is flawed? Chris Smaje, author of Saying NO to a Farm-Free Future, challenges the dominant eco-modernist philosophy head-on. He critiques its reliance on techno-fixes—not just on technological grounds, but also economic, political, and spiritual ones.

In this episode, Chris shares an alternative vision: a localist, agro-ecological approach to modern agriculture, rooted in self-provisioning for our basic needs and leveraging natural cycles instead of hyper-technological systems. It’s a vision that reconnects us to the land, promotes food sovereignty, and rethinks what a feasible and fulfilling future could look like.

In this episode, we dive into:

Why he wrote Saying NO to a Farm-Free Future, inspired by a critique of prominent environmental and agricultural thinker George Monbiot.
What our environmental crises reveal about the deeper flaws in our econmic systems.
How industrial agriculture’s obsession with efficiency undermines ecological and social resilience.
The ecological work of animals and why they’re vital to sustainable farming systems.
The drive toward urbanism and the assumptions—often misguided—about its benefits for the planet.
Reimagining quality of life beyond financial measures.
And much more...

More about Chris:

Chris Smaje helps run a small farm in Somerset, England and has worked as a commercial vegetable grower and an academic social scientist. He’s recently published two books, A Small Farm Future (2020) and Saying NO to a Farm-Free Future (2023). He’s currently at work on a third – Lights for a Dark Age – all published by Chelsea Green.

Agrarian Futures is produced by Alexandre Miller, who also wrote our theme song. This episode was edited by Drew O’Doherty.

In this episode, we dive into:

Why he wrote Saying NO to a Farm-Free Future, inspired by a critique of prominent environmental and agricultural thinker George Monbiot.
What our environmental crises reveal about the deeper flaws in our econmic systems.
How industrial agriculture’s obsession with efficiency undermines ecological and social resilience.
The ecological work of animals and why they’re vital to sustainable farming systems.
The drive toward urbanism and the assumptions—often misguided—about its benefits for the planet.
Reimagining quality of life beyond financial measures.
And much more...

More about Chris:

Agrarian Futures is produced by Alexandre Miller, who also wrote our theme song. This episode was edited by Drew O’Doherty.

Previous Episode

Living Without Fossil Fuels with Alexis Zeigler

It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of climate change, but where can we find models for living in harmony with the planet—before it’s too late? Alexis Zeigler and the community at Living Energy Farm are doing just that: building a self-sustaining, non-extractive way of life and sharing their knowledge with others.

Alexis brings a unique blend of practical, technical expertise and a deep philosophical vision for restoring our spiritual connection to nature—and to one another. These themes are at the heart of this show. If you’re seeking grounded hope and a climate-resilient model for living, we think you’ll find this conversation inspiring.

In this episode, we cover:

Living Energy Farm’s mission to live without reliance on fossil fuels or grid electricity and how that works in practice.
The limitations of climate change mitigation strategies that rely on just converting consumer products into something more sustainable.
The sacrifices they make to live self-sufficiently, and how its less than what you might think.
The core tenets necessary to live this way.
The benefits of living intentionally and in community vs a life focused on private property.
And much more...

More about Alexis and Living Energy Farm:

Alexis Zeigler is an author, activist, designer and builder of renewable energy systems. He was raised on small, diversified farm in Georgia. He is the primary designer of Living Energy Farm, a community of 10 people that grows most of its food and provides all of its own domestic energy. Alexis has a passion for growing food on trees, and is particularly devoted to persimmons. His books include Integrated Activism, which discusses the links between ecological change and politics, as well as Empowering Communities, which describes how to build food and energy independent communities.

Agrarian Futures is produced by Alexandre Miller, who also wrote our theme song. This episode was edited by Keith J. Nelson, Alexandre Miller, and Drew O’Doherty.

Next Episode

Financing Native Food Sovereignty with Skya Ducheneaux

On this show, we’ve talked a lot about how traditional banking and financial systems make it tough for new farmers or those without direct land ownership to get a fair shot. But those challenges run even deeper for agricultural producers in Indian Country.

Enter Skya Ducheneaux, who’s tackling these barriers head-on as the leader of Akiptan—the first Native CDFI dedicated to serving agricultural producers all across Indian Country. Skya brings fresh eyes to lending, challenging old-school banking practices that just don’t work for farmers without big land holdings or a long financial track record. Instead, Akiptan focuses on sweat equity, work ethic, hands-on support, and long-term solutions - and yield tremendous outcomes as a result.

In this episode, Skya shares:

Her journey from growing up on a cattle ranch to leading a groundbreaking financial institution.
Why extractive capital leads to extractive practices—and how patient, thoughtful capital can support regenerative agriculture.
The unique ways Akiptan removes barriers and empowers Native ag producers.
Remarkable success stories from the communities Akiptan serves.
Why Native CDFIs have an opportunity to step up investment in agriculture.
And how outside investors can better align with the long-term needs of Native farmers.
And much more...

More about Skya and Akiptan:

Skya Ducheneaux is the Executive Director of Akiptan and is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She spent her first 18 years of life on a cattle ranch on the CRST Reservation in South Dakota. She then pursued a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Business Administration while working at a county FSA office and buffalo meat processing plant. After returning home to work for the Intertribal Agriculture Council, she was tasked with creating the first Native CDFI dedicated to serving Native Agriculture producers all across Indian Country. Akiptan began lending in January of 2019 and has grown rapidly over the years.

In addition to Akiptan, Skya has served on many advisory committees and is currently the Board Chair of the Mountain Plains CDC. In her role as Executive Director, she is a part of several CDFI coalitions, advocates locally and federally and presents at conferences to share the mission of Akiptan.

Agrarian Futures is produced by Alexandre Miller, who also wrote our theme song. This episode was edited by Drew O’Doherty.