Who is Phil Callahan?
Professor Philip Callahan, PhD, the author of 17 books and over 150 published articles, is widely regarded as a beacon of sustainable agriculture. His groundbreaking work with insects and infrared radiation is a milestone in understanding the connection between nutrition and pest pressure. Dr. Callahan's research and discoveries related to paramagnetism are just beginning to gain widespread acceptance. Paramagnetism in agriculture is a powerful growth force that promotes root development and stimulates the proliferation of microorganisms.
Who is Graeme Sait?
We've actually never mentioned him before—I just realized that. He's Australian, and a great teacher and inspiration for us. Great word. He has a great blog and podcast and regularly runs workshops. Graeme Sait provided us with this interview.
I always find original statements more powerful than summarized knowledge in a book. I also like how Graeme conducts the interview with such care. He's also Australian, but they hadn't met before the interview. Of course, it was also important to him that Phil Callahan get to know his company, which also conducts research into vital and sustainable agriculture.
I'm sharing a video about humus, a TED Talk he gave in Noosa. It's so beautiful and so fertile there. In Noosa.
And now - enjoy the interview!
Graeme Sait: In the foreword to your book on paramagnetism, your editor, Fred Walters, wrote that you consider your work in this field the most important of your life. Four years have passed since the publication of your book. Are you satisfied with the impact of your findings on agriculture?
Phil Callahan: Yes, I'm very pleased. There are numerous farmers who attend these Acres USA conferences and have successfully tried the concept. In your country, too, some of the major companies are now working with paramagnetism and plant growth . The book has really started something, because knowledgeable people can read the book and then figure it out for themselves.
Graeme: The reason I asked if you're satisfied with the progress relates to what I consider to be very slow progress on your other major discovery. For readers unfamiliar with your work, I'm referring to your discovery that plants emit infrared radiation, which amplifies scent molecules. Insects use their antennae to detect the source of these molecules. Healthy plants emit a different signal than unhealthy plants, and insects are more strongly attracted to nutritionally deficient plants. This incredibly important discovery was largely ignored by entomologists, but the military quickly recognized its significance. In fact, the infrared-guided missile was developed as a result of your work. How do you feel about that?
Phil: I'm happy with my work on paramagnetics, but you have to differentiate between that and my infrared insect work. We're still working on projects, which means that eventually we'll be able to generate frequencies that attract insects. My interest in paramagnetism began with a study of sacred sites. I visited these sites worldwide—Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, even Aboriginal Australian sites. I noticed that plant growth was always better in these places, which always had to do with stones. Further investigation revealed that these stones were highly paramagnetic.
Graeme: It's also easier with paramagnetism because you developed your PCSM [Paramagnetic Count Soil Meter]. When farmers see the direct relationship between productive capacity and the reading on the meter, the whole concept is lifted out of the realm of abstract theory. It's practically undeniable.
Phil: Actually, entomologists could repeat some of my simple experiments and they would see what is undeniable, but they don't want to because they have a preconceived notion against it—a paradigm, as it's called. There's no paradigm against paramagnetism because no one has ever heard of it.
Graeme: I understand that your recent research suggests that paramagnetic materials are a source of subterranean light to enhance root growth. Can you explain this phenomenon?
Phil: Yes. Paramagnetic force is light from stones to the roots. The stone is actually a transceiver that collects magnetism from the cosmos and bounces it back to the roots. If you put a paramagnetic stone in Dr. [Fritz-Albert] Popp's lab in Germany and measure it with his instruments that count photons one by one, you'll find that a highly paramagnetic stone emits 2,000 to 4,000 photons. If you combine that stone with compost and treat it organically, the number of photons increases from 2,000-4,000 to 400,000. Now you're creating light for the roots. Roots are waveguides, just like antennae in insects. If you clean the roots and shine a light on them, they transmit the waves just like a fiber optic cable. Dr. Popp has a $100,000 instrument to measure light in the form of photons.
Graeme: That's fascinating, but it's a recent discovery. Has that always been your theory about how it works?
Phil: Well, in this case, I knew it worked, but I had to figure out the mechanism by which it worked. Some of my experimental work indicates enormous increases in plant performance. For example, I took rye grown in sandy soils with a paramagnetic level of 60 cgs [centimeter-gram-seconds] and fed that soil with paramagnetic stone. The rye had 10 to 15 nitrogen nodules on its roots before treatment, but after treatment, the number increased to 200 nodules.
Graeme: Well, we recently had an experience that confirms exactly what you're saying.
Phil: Well, none of this stuff will work without some of that paramagnetic energy. It can't work without light.
Graeme: This is truly an amazing discovery. It's so important for those with non-volcanic soils.
Phil: I'm telling you, Graeme, and I'm not saying this for myself. I don't care if they give me credit for it. I'm trying to save the family farm. This is, in my opinion, the greatest agricultural discovery of the last century, but I didn't discover paramagnetism; I discovered its use. That's the difference.
Graeme: I'd like to ask you a few questions about the mechanics of paramagnetism, both for my own benefit and for the benefit of the readers. Is there a relationship between paramagnetism and Brix values?
Phil: A recent article in Acres USA [September 2000] cited research that found a six-point difference between low- and high-paramagnetic soils. It's not the complete answer, but it certainly plays a role.
Graeme: In your book, you suggest that compost, microorganisms , and paramagnetism are the key ingredients in sustainable agriculture. We use far more inputs than that, and from my experience, I feel this analysis is too simplistic. Calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and trace elements are often still necessary inputs.
Phil: I am not against chemicals. Like Arden Andersen and Phil Wheeler, I believe that Potash's Muriate is indefensible; but the point I am making is that
If you don't have paramagnetic energy in your soil, then the fertilizers you apply simply won't help .
The family farm is at risk because money is being wasted. If you need nitrogen, use the best source available in your soil, but don't use anhydrous ammonia. I'll tell you about this product. Research has been cited suggesting that earthworm numbers may increase after an application of anhydrous ammonia. Earthworms are considered the epitome of high fertility. The fact here is that ammonia attracts insects and also attracts earthworms. Dead roots release ammonia, and earthworms follow this emission because they feed on dead organic matter. You really have to understand the bigger picture when analyzing anything. The tendency toward rigid, narrow-minded disciplines that look at only a small part of the picture is dangerous. A holistic approach is essential.
Graeme: We offer a free service for farmers and measure local crushed sand to determine the fertilization potential of these materials. Basalt is the predominant paramagnetic material in Australia. There's a huge variation between samples, with a variation between 100 and 3,000 cgs on the meter. Why is there such variation? What exactly determines the levels of paramagnetism?
Phil: This is pure speculation. I'm not a volcanologist, but there seems to be a relationship between the amount of magma in an eruption and the paramagnetic level of the ejected rock. Magma comes from deep below; many small eruptions simply don't contain this deep material. Heat is the key ingredient. Even simple composting can raise paramagnetic levels. Compost alone can raise soil from 30 to 70 cgs.
Graeme: We increased the paramagnetic levels in the soil by up to 700% by correcting the calcium/magnesium ratio and increasing the oxygen content in the soil.
Phil: Oxygen is the key here. It is the most paramagnetic Gas . When this magma erupts, it rains down and picks up oxygen. There's a connection here between the heat and the oxidation. Graeme: There's an interesting phenomenon I want to talk about. We're working in an area in Queensland called Blackbutt. I've seen your references to optimal and high paramagnetic levels, but this particular area reads far higher than any of the soils you mention. The paramagnetic levels range from 3,000 to 10,000 cgs. The interesting thing is that even at these elevated levels, there is still a difference in yield between soils measuring 3,000 cgs and those measuring 10,000 cgs. Even more interesting is that soils measuring 7,000 cgs still showed a visible benefit from the application of crushed basalt sand that only measured 2,000 cgs. Can you explain that?
Phil: Here, you're looking at the remineralizing benefits. It could be cobalt or iron. Phil Wheeler suggests that nickel is often the missing link.
Graeme: So paramagnetism is indeed influenced by geological events and the way materials are distributed. I wonder if this elevation also affects soil health and yields?
Phil: Absolutely. Higher elevations often have better drainage, which improves oxygen flow in the soil. Oxygen, as mentioned, is a strongly paramagnetic gas. Better aerated soil allows for greater microorganism activity , which in turn increases nutrient availability.
The interaction of paramagnetism, oxygen and microbiology is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
Graeme: So, if I understand correctly, farmers could actually reap the benefits of paramagnetism by improving oxygen levels in their soils and ensuring the right balance of minerals and microorganisms?
Phil: Exactly. But it's not just paramagnetism alone. It's the synergy of everything. Healthy, well-aerated, and balanced soil will naturally produce the best yields. Paramagnetism is just another factor in the puzzle, but a very important one.
Graeme: Thanks, Phil, for this insightful conversation. It really answered some of the questions I had, and I'm sure our readers will benefit from it.
Phil: It's been a pleasure, Graeme. It's always good to share knowledge and help farmers understand and implement better practices. The well-being of our soils and the crops growing on them is very important to me. It's the foundation of our food supply and our health.
