Who is Phil Callahan?
Professor Philip Callahan, PhD, author of 17 books and over 150 published articles, is widely regarded as a leading figure in sustainable agriculture. His groundbreaking work with insects and infrared radiation is a milestone in understanding the link between nutrition and pest pressure. Dr. Callahan's research and discoveries related to paramagnetism are only now beginning to gain wider acceptance. Paramagnetism in agriculture is a powerful growth force that promotes root development and stimulates the reproduction of microorganisms.
Who is Graeme Sait?
We've actually never mentioned him before – I just realized. He's Australian, and a great teacher and inspiration to us. Great word. He has a fantastic blog and podcast and regularly holds workshops. Graeme Sait kindly provided us with this interview.
I always find original statements more powerful than the summarized knowledge in a book. I also appreciate how Graeme conducts the interview with such care. He's also Australian, but they hadn't met before the interview. Naturally, it was also important to him that Phil Callahan learn about his company, which also focuses on research into vital and sustainable agriculture.
I'm attaching 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 to be 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. Even in your country, some of the big companies are now working with paramagnetism and plant growth . The book has really started something, because knowledgeable people can read the book and then find out for themselves.
Graeme: The reason I asked if you were 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 enhances 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 nutrient-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 does that make you feel?
Phil: I'm happy with my work on paramagnetism, 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 started 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 at 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 correlation between productive capacity and the reading on the meter, the whole concept is taken out of the realm of abstract theory. It's practically undeniable.
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 notion against it—a paradigm, as it's called. 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 act as 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, collecting magnetism from the cosmos and reflecting 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 individually, you'll 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're creating light for the roots. Roots are waveguides, just like the antennae on insects. If you clean the roots and shine a light on them, they conduct the waves just like an optical fiber. 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 find 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 these soils with paramagnetic rock. The rye had 10 to 15 nitrogen nodules on its roots before the treatment, but after the treatment, the number increased to 200 nodules.
Graeme: Well, we recently had an experience that exactly confirms what you're saying.
Phil: Well, none of this stuff will work without some of this 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 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 far more inputs than that, and in my experience, I feel this analysis is too simplistic. Calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and trace elements are often additional necessary inputs.
Phil: I'm not against chemicals. Like Arden Andersen and Phil Wheeler, I believe that Muriat von Potash is indefensible; but the point I'm making is that
If you don't have paramagnetic energy in your soil, then the fertilizers you apply simply won't be effective .
The family farm is at risk because money is being wasted. If you need nitrogen, use the best source for your soil, but don't use anhydrous ammonia. I'll 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 is, ammonia attracts insects and also attracts earthworms. Dead roots release ammonia, and earthworms track 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 only consider a small part of the picture is dangerous. A holistic approach is essential.
Graeme: We offer a free service for farmers, measuring local crushed sand to determine its fertilizing potential. Basalt is the predominant paramagnetic material in Australia. There's a huge variation between samples, with readings ranging from 100 to 3,000 cgs on the meter. Why is there such 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 very 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 soil from 30 to 70 cgs.
Graeme: We increased the 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's the most strongly paramagnetic. Gas . When this magma erupts, it rains down and absorbs oxygen. There's a connection here between the heat and oxidation. Graeme: There's an interesting phenomenon I'd like to discuss. 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 mentioned. The paramagnetic levels range from 3,000 to 10,000 cgs. The interesting thing is that even at these elevated levels, there's 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 basalt crushed sand that measured only 2,000 cgs. Can you explain that?
Phil: Here you're considering 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 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 earlier, is a strongly paramagnetic gas. Better-aerated soil allows for greater 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 paramagnetics 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. 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: Thank you, 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 was a pleasure, Graeme. It's always good to share knowledge and help farmers understand and implement better practices. The health of our soils and the plants growing in them is very important to me. It's the foundation of our food supply and our health.
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