Who is Phil Callahan?
Professor Philip Callahan, PhD, author of 17 books and over 150 published papers, is widely regarded as a beacon in sustainable agriculture. His pioneering 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 only now 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?
I just realized we've never mentioned him. He's Australian, and a good teacher and inspirer for us. Great word. He has a great blog and podcast and regularly conducts 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 lovingly Graeme conducts the interview. He is 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 deals with research into vital and sustainable agriculture.
I've linked a VIDEO about Humus, a TEDTalk he gave in Noosa. It's so beautiful and 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 to be the most important of your life. Four years have passed since your book was published. Are you satisfied with the impact of your findings in terms of agriculture?
Phil Callahan: Yes, I am very satisfied. There are numerous farmers who attend these Acres USA conferences and have successfully tried the concept. In your country, too, some of the large companies are now working with paramagnetism and plant growth. The book has really started something, because competent people can read the book and then find out for themselves.
Graeme: The reason I asked if you are satisfied with the progress refers to what I consider to be very slow progress on your other major discovery. For readers unfamiliar with your work, I am referring to your discovery that plants emit infrared radiation that amplifies scent molecules. Insects use their antennae to detect the source of these molecules. Healthy plants send out a different signal than unhealthy plants, and insects are more 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 am satisfied with my work on paramagnetics, but you have to distinguish between that and my infrared insect work. We are still working on projects, which means that eventually we can 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 Australian Aboriginal sites. I noticed that plant growth was always better in these places, which always had something to do with stones. Further investigations 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 correlation between productive capacity and the meter reading, the whole concept is lifted out of the realm of abstract theory. It can practically not be denied.
Phil: In fact, 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 opinion against it - a paradigm, as you call it. There is no paradigm against paramagnetism because no one has ever heard of it.
Graeme: I understand that your latest research suggests that paramagnetic materials are a source of underground light to increase root growth. Can you explain this phenomenon?
Phil: Yes. Paramagnetic force is light from stones for the roots. The stone is actually a transceiver that collects magnetism from the cosmos and throws it back to the roots. If you put a paramagnetic stone in Dr. [Fritz-Albert] Popp's laboratory in Germany and measure it with his instruments that count photons individually, you will find that a highly paramagnetic stone emits 2,000 to 4,000 photons. If you combine this stone with compost and treat it organically, the number of photons increases from 2,000-4,000 to 400,000. Now you are creating light for the roots. Roots are waveguides, just like the antennae of 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 more recent discovery. Was that always your theory of how it works?
Phil: Well, in this case I knew it worked, but I had to find the mechanism of how it worked. Some of my experimental work suggests 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 these soils with paramagnetic stone. The rye had 10 to 15 nitrogen nodules on the 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: That's truly an amazing discovery. It's so important for those with non-volcanic soils.
Phil: I tell you, Graeme, and I'm not saying this because of me. I don't care if they give me credit for it. I'm trying to save the family farm. This, in my opinion, is the greatest agricultural discovery of the last century, but I didn't discover paramagnetism; I discovered its use. That's the difference.
Graeme: I want to ask you a few questions about the mechanics of paramagnetism, both for my own benefit and for 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 main ingredients in sustainable agriculture. We use many more inputs than that, and in my experience I feel that 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 muriate of potash 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 be utilized.
The family farm is at risk because money is being wasted. If you need nitrogen, use the best source for your soil, but do not use anhydrous ammonia. I will tell you something about this product. Research has been cited suggesting that the number of earthworms can 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 track this emission because they are fed by dead organic matter. You really have to understand the bigger picture when analyzing anything. The tendency towards rigid, narrow-minded disciplines that only look at a small part of the picture is dangerous. A holistic approach is essential.
Graeme: We offer a free service to farmers, measuring local crushed rock to determine the fertilization potential of these materials. Basalt is the predominant paramagnetic material in Australia. There is a huge variation between samples, with a variation between 100 and 3,000 cgs on the meter. Why is there such a variation? What exactly determines the levels of paramagnetism?
Phil: That's 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 down; 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 a soil from 30 to 70 cgs.
Graeme: We have increased paramagnetic values 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 highly paramagnetic gas. When this magma erupts, it rains down and absorbs oxygen. There is a connection here between heat and oxidation. Graeme: There's an interesting phenomenon I want to talk about. We work 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 interestingly, soils measuring 7,000 cgs still showed a visible benefit from applying basalt crushed rock that measured only 2,000 cgs. Can you explain this?
Phil: Here you are 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 high altitude 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. A better aerated soil allows for higher activity of microorganisms, which in turn increases nutrient availability. The interplay of paramagnetism, oxygen, and microbiology is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
Graeme: So, if I understand correctly, farmers could actually benefit from the advantages of paramagnetism by improving the oxygen content 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. A healthy, well-aerated, and balanced soil will naturally provide the best yields. Paramagnetism is just another factor in the puzzle, but a very important one.
Graeme: Thank you, Phil, for this insightful conversation. It has really answered some of the questions I had, and I am sure our readers will benefit from it.
Phil: It was a pleasure, Graeme. It's always good to share knowledge and help farmers understand and apply better practices. The well-being of our soils and the plants growing on them is very important to me. It is the foundation of our food supply and our health.
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