Comparing Korean Natural Farming (KNF) with Other Regenerative Farming Techniques
Last updated: January 20, 2026
At Sacred Plant Co, we practice regenerative agriculture at our I·M·POSSIBLE Farm, not because it's merely sustainable, but because it fundamentally transforms how plants produce the medicinal compounds we rely on. While many farmers focus solely on biomass and yield, we understand that true medicine begins in living soil. Our approach centers on a critical biological principle: plants grown in microbiologically active soil produce significantly higher concentrations of secondary metabolites (terpenes, flavonoids, and alkaloids) compared to those grown in conventionally managed systems, even when labeled organic.
The difference is measurable. When soil teems with beneficial fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms, plants respond by ramping up their production of defense compounds. These same compounds, medicinal alkaloids, aromatic terpenes, and protective polyphenols, are what make herbs therapeutically potent. Sterile or depleted soils, common in conventional systems, may grow large plants, but those plants lack the chemical complexity that defines true herbal medicine. This is why we've dedicated ourselves to Korean Natural Farming (KNF) and other regenerative techniques that prioritize microbial diversity, as evidenced by our 400% increase in soil biology.
In this article, we'll explore how KNF compares to other regenerative farming methods, permaculture and biodynamic agriculture, and why our commitment to soil health directly translates to the medicinal quality of every herb we cultivate. Whether you're a farmer, gardener, or herbalist, understanding these distinctions can revolutionize how you think about plant medicine.
What You'll Learn
- How Korean Natural Farming (KNF) uses indigenous microorganisms to enhance soil fertility and plant medicinal potency
- The fundamental differences between KNF, permaculture, and biodynamic farming approaches
- Why microbial diversity in soil directly affects secondary metabolite production in medicinal herbs
- How to apply KNF principles cost-effectively using locally sourced materials
- Scientific evidence showing measurable improvements in soil health through regenerative practices
- The role of fermented plant extracts (FPJ, FFJ) and lactic acid bacteria (LABS) in plant nutrition
- How to choose the regenerative farming method that best suits your climate and goals
- Practical product options for implementing KNF at any scale, from home gardens to commercial farms
What is Korean Natural Farming (KNF)?
Korean Natural Farming (KNF) is an agricultural system that cultivates and applies beneficial indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) to create self-sustaining farming environments with minimal external inputs. Developed in the early 1960s by Han Kyu Cho in South Korea, KNF represents a fundamental shift from conventional agriculture. Rather than viewing farming as a battle against nature, KNF embraces natural processes, working with local microbial populations to build soil fertility and plant health.
The philosophy behind KNF is elegantly simple yet profoundly effective: nature already provides everything needed for healthy plant growth. By collecting and cultivating microorganisms from undisturbed forests and fields, farmers can inoculate their soil with proven, locally adapted biological communities. These microbes break down organic matter, fix atmospheric nitrogen, solubilize minerals, and create symbiotic relationships with plant roots, all without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
Core Principles of Korean Natural Farming
The heart of KNF is feeding the soil, not just the plant. We dilute concentrated ferments like FPJ to introduce bio-available nutrients without burning delicate root systems.
KNF operates on four fundamental principles that distinguish it from conventional and even some organic farming methods:
- Indigenous Microorganism (IMO) Cultivation: The foundation of KNF is collecting and multiplying beneficial microbes native to the local environment. These organisms are already adapted to local climate, soil conditions, and plant species, making them far more effective than laboratory-cultured strains. The IMO collection process involves creating ideal conditions for microbes to proliferate, then mixing them with rice bran and soil to create powerful inoculants.
- Natural Nutrient Cycling: KNF transforms farm waste into valuable inputs. Fermented plant extracts, animal by-products, and mineral solutions replace commercial fertilizers. Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) captures growth hormones from vigorously growing plants. Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ) provides sugars and minerals during flowering and fruiting. Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN) combines medicinal plants for pest resistance and plant immunity.
- Soil Health as Foundation: Rather than feeding plants directly, KNF feeds the soil ecosystem. A diverse, vibrant soil food web translates to resilient crops with complex phytochemical profiles. This mirrors natural forest ecosystems where plants thrive without human intervention, sustained entirely by biological processes.
- Minimal External Inputs: KNF aims for farm self-sufficiency by utilizing on-farm resources. This reduces costs dramatically while building knowledge of local ecological patterns. Farmers become observers and facilitators rather than managers, learning to read their environment and respond with precision.
The History and Philosophy of KNF
KNF philosophy centers on observation. We watch how our plants respond to natural inputs, adjusting our ferments to match their specific growth stage—vegetative or reproductive.
Han Kyu Cho developed KNF after observing that plants in pristine natural environments thrived without fertilizers, pesticides, or human management. He recognized that disturbed agricultural soils lacked the microbial diversity and nutrient cycling efficiency of forest soils. By studying traditional Korean farming practices and combining them with his observations of natural ecosystems, Cho created a systematic approach to rebuilding agricultural soil health.
The philosophy centers on humility and observation. KNF practitioners believe that nature, when respected and understood, provides superior farming solutions to those developed in laboratories. This doesn't mean rejecting science. Rather, it means using scientific understanding to work with natural processes instead of against them. The method spread globally because it delivers results: healthier plants, reduced input costs, and environmental regeneration, all achieved through simple, replicable techniques.
Ultimate KNF Starter Pack for Natural Farming
Starting at $104.14
Begin your Korean Natural Farming journey with our comprehensive starter pack, featuring all essential inputs for regenerative soil management and plant vitality. Includes Accelerator (LABS), Herbal Defense (OHN), Growth (FPJ), Fruit & Flower (FFJ), and Mineral Extract (WSC).
Shop NowComparing KNF with Other Regenerative Techniques
Unlike the complex spatial designs of permaculture, KNF focuses on biological optimization within efficient row systems, allowing us to scale medicinal quality for your apothecary while maintaining living soil structure.
While Korean Natural Farming, permaculture, and biodynamic farming all aim to restore ecological balance, they differ fundamentally in their methodologies, philosophical foundations, and practical applications. Understanding these differences helps farmers and gardeners choose the approach that best aligns with their goals, resources, and environmental context.
Overview of Major Regenerative Farming Methods
Three primary regenerative approaches have gained significant traction worldwide:
Permaculture focuses on designing agricultural landscapes that mimic natural ecosystems. Developed by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 1970s, permaculture emphasizes spatial design, species diversity, and creating beneficial relationships between plants, animals, and infrastructure. The goal is to create self-maintaining systems where each element serves multiple functions and supports the whole. Permaculture practitioners carefully observe their land, then design polycultures, water catchment systems, and integrated animal operations that work synergistically.
Biodynamic Farming, created by Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s, views the farm as a closed, self-sustaining organism. It incorporates spiritual and cosmic elements alongside practical agriculture, using an astronomical planting calendar and specially prepared herbal and mineral preparations. Biodynamic farmers apply specific composts and field sprays at particular times to enhance soil vitality and plant growth. The certification process is rigorous, requiring farms to meet strict standards for closed-loop nutrient cycling and holistic management.
Korean Natural Farming stands apart with its focus on microbial life. While permaculture and biodynamics acknowledge soil biology, KNF makes indigenous microorganisms the central driver of farm health. The system's strength lies in its simplicity and adaptability. Farmers can implement KNF techniques incrementally, starting with basic fermented extracts and gradually building complexity. There's no need for expensive infrastructure or certification, just careful observation and willingness to work with natural processes.
Detailed Comparison Across Key Factors
| Factor | Korean Natural Farming | Permaculture | Biodynamic Farming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Principle | Cultivate indigenous microorganisms to build soil fertility | Design ecosystems that are self-maintaining and productive | Treat farm as living organism with cosmic influences |
| Primary Focus | Soil microbiology and fermented inputs | Spatial design and polyculture systems | Closed-loop nutrient cycling and preparations |
| Initial Investment | Very low (local materials, simple equipment) | Moderate to high (design, earthworks, infrastructure) | Moderate (preparations, certification costs) |
| Scalability | Easily scalable from garden to commercial farm | Best for small to medium properties | Applicable at any scale with proper planning |
| Learning Curve | Moderate (requires understanding fermentation) | Steep (requires design skills and observation) | Steep (requires knowledge of preparations and calendar) |
| Environmental Impact | Reduces chemical use, builds soil carbon | Creates wildlife habitat, improves water cycles | Enhances biodiversity, cosmic connection to land |
The Unique Position of KNF in Regenerative Agriculture
What makes Korean Natural Farming particularly compelling is its emphasis on biological solutions over structural ones. While permaculture requires careful landscape design and biodynamics demands adherence to specific preparation protocols, KNF can be implemented immediately with minimal resources. A farmer can begin by collecting local forest soil to culture IMOs, fermenting fast-growing weeds into plant juice, and creating lactic acid bacteria serum from rice wash water.
This accessibility doesn't mean KNF is simplistic. The system requires deep observation of microbial processes, understanding of plant growth stages, and skill in timing applications. However, these are skills anyone can develop through practice, without expensive training or certification. The focus on local resources also makes KNF inherently sustainable. Rather than importing amendments or following universal protocols, practitioners adapt techniques to their specific environment, creating truly bioregional farming systems.
Perhaps most importantly, KNF's microbial emphasis directly addresses the root cause of declining soil health: the destruction of soil food webs through chemical inputs and tillage. By rebuilding these biological communities with locally adapted organisms, KNF farms develop resilience that persists across generations.
Scientific Evidence: The Soil Health Revolution
Sacred Plant Co's soil testing data, validated by Colorado State University Soil, Water, and Plant Laboratory, demonstrates dramatic improvements in soil composition and nutrient availability within a single growing season using KNF principles. These results provide concrete evidence for KNF's effectiveness in rebuilding depleted agricultural soils.
Measurable Improvements in Soil Composition
Our commitment to regenerative practices produced quantifiable changes in soil health metrics over one year at I·M·POSSIBLE Farm:
- Organic Matter: Increased from 0.7 to 1.9 PPM, a 171% improvement. Organic matter is crucial for water retention, nutrient storage, and providing energy for soil microbes. This dramatic increase indicates successful microbial colonization and organic matter cycling.
- Nitrate Concentration: Jumped from 0.09 to 14 PPM, representing a 15,456% increase. Nitrates are the primary form of nitrogen available to plants. This massive improvement came without synthetic fertilizers, demonstrating how beneficial microbes fix atmospheric nitrogen and mineralize organic nitrogen sources.
- Phosphorus Levels: Rose from 2.2 to 5 PPM, a 127% improvement. Phosphorus is essential for root development, flowering, and energy transfer within plants. Mycorrhizal fungi, cultivated through KNF practices, excel at solubilizing phosphorus from mineral sources, making it plant-available.
- Sulfate Concentrations: Improved from 5 to 9.4 PPM, an 88% increase. Sulfates are critical for protein synthesis and enzyme function. The increase indicates improved microbial cycling of sulfur-containing organic compounds.
These results validate what KNF practitioners have observed for decades: properly managed microbial populations can rapidly transform degraded soil into fertile, productive growing media. The improvements occurred without tillage, synthetic amendments, or irrigation beyond what's available naturally in Colorado's high desert climate.
Impact on Medicinal Herb Quality and Yield
The connection between soil health and plant medicine cannot be overstated. When soil provides balanced nutrition through biological processes rather than synthetic salts, plants develop more complex phytochemical profiles. Research shows that stressed plants in living soil produce higher concentrations of defensive compounds, the same alkaloids, terpenes, and polyphenols valued in herbal medicine.1
Our soil improvements translated directly to herbs with superior medicinal properties. The balanced trace elements (zinc, iron, manganese, copper) support enzyme systems that produce secondary metabolites. The increased organic matter and microbial diversity create conditions where plants can access nutrients on demand, rather than being force-fed soluble fertilizers. This results in plants that are both more resilient to environmental stress and more therapeutically potent.
The yield increases were equally impressive, though we prioritize quality over quantity. Healthier soil produces healthier plants with stronger root systems, better pest and disease resistance, and extended productive periods. For medicinal herbs, this means more harvest opportunities throughout the season and longer shelf life post-harvest due to improved cellular integrity.
Practical Application: KNF Products and Techniques
Systemic immunity starts at the roots. We integrate Herbal Defense (OHN) directly into our watering system, ensuring every plant receives a micro-dose of medicinal protection against environmental stress and pests.
Implementing Korean Natural Farming requires understanding several key inputs that form the foundation of the system: indigenous microorganisms, fermented extracts, and mineral solutions. At Sacred Plant Co, we've developed our Ancient Wisdom product line to make these inputs accessible to farmers and gardeners at any scale.
Essential KNF Inputs and Their Functions
1. Accelerator (Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum - LABS)
Lactic acid bacteria are workhorses in any regenerative system. These beneficial microbes accelerate decomposition, suppress pathogenic organisms, and improve nutrient availability. Our Accelerator product captures these bacteria from rice wash water, then multiplies them in milk serum to create a potent probiotic for plants and soil.
Applications include soil drenches to build microbial populations, foliar sprays to suppress fungal diseases, and compost inoculants to speed decomposition. The bacteria produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, creating conditions unfavorable for plant pathogens while promoting beneficial organisms. LABS revolutionizes composting by breaking down materials that typically decompose slowly.
Accelerator - Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum
Starting at $11.99
Introduce a thriving community of beneficial lactic acid bacteria to establish harmonious soil environments, promote nutrient availability, and boost overall plant health and resilience.
Shop Now2. Herbal Defense (Oriental Herbal Nutrient - OHN)
Oriental Herbal Nutrient combines the medicinal properties of garlic, ginger, angelica, cinnamon, and licorice with the fermentation power of alcohol and vinegar. The result is a potent plant immunity booster that strengthens natural defense mechanisms against pests and diseases. Herbal Defense OHN activates systemic acquired resistance, helping plants recognize and respond to threats before damage occurs.
The herbs in OHN contain natural antimicrobial, antifungal, and insect-repelling compounds. When applied as a foliar spray or soil drench, these compounds are absorbed by plants and incorporated into their tissues. This creates an environment inhospitable to pests while promoting vigorous growth. OHN is particularly effective during transplanting and periods of environmental stress when plants are most vulnerable.
Herbal Defense - Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN)
Starting at $36.99
A potent elixir of medicinal herbs that fortifies plants and bolsters natural defenses against pests, diseases, and environmental stressors through activated immunity.
Shop Now3. Growth (Fermented Plant Juice - FPJ)
Fermented Plant Juice captures the growth hormones and nutrients from vigorously growing plants at their peak vitality. We ferment fast-growing weeds and cover crops with brown sugar, creating a nutrient-dense extract rich in plant growth regulators, enzymes, and minerals. Growth FPJ accelerates early plant development, promoting robust vegetative growth and strong root systems.
The fermentation process predigests plant materials, making nutrients immediately available to crops. Unlike synthetic fertilizers that force growth through salt-based nitrogen, FPJ provides balanced nutrition that plants can uptake according to their needs. This results in steady, healthy growth without the boom-bust cycles common with conventional fertilizers.
Growth - Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ)
Starting at $19.99
Stimulate vigorous plant growth and unleash full potential with this extraordinary fermented elixir, nourishing plants with vital nutrients and bioactive compounds for robust development.
Shop Now4. Fruit & Flower (Fermented Fruit Juice - FFJ)
When plants transition from vegetative growth to flowering and fruiting, their nutritional needs change dramatically. Fruit & Flower provides the sugars, enzymes, and minerals that support abundant flowering and optimal fruit development. FFJ acts as a natural bloom stimulant, increasing pollination success and fruit set without synthetic hormones.
We create FFJ by fermenting ripe fruits with brown sugar, extracting their concentrated nutrients and growth factors. The sugars provide energy for developing flowers and fruits, while minerals support cellular processes during reproduction. Applied during flowering and fruiting stages, FFJ results in more abundant harvests with superior flavor and medicinal potency.
Fruit & Flower - Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ)
Starting at $19.99
Enhance fruiting and flowering stages with this powerful botanical solution, supporting abundant blossom development, increased pollination, and optimal fruit set naturally.
Shop Now5. Mineral Extract (Water-Soluble Calcium - WSC)
Calcium is the most commonly deficient mineral in agricultural soils, yet it's essential for cell wall strength, disease resistance, and nutrient transport. Our Mineral Extract transforms duck and guinea eggshells into water-soluble calcium that plants can immediately utilize. WSC fortifies plants against environmental stress and pathogen attack by strengthening cellular structures.
The calcium in eggshells is bound in calcium carbonate, a form plants cannot access. By treating eggshells with vinegar, we convert this insoluble calcium into calcium acetate, which dissolves in water and is readily absorbed by plant roots and leaves. Regular WSC applications prevent blossom end rot, improve fruit quality, and enhance overall plant vigor.
Mineral Extract - Water-Soluble Calcium (WSC)
Starting at $13.99
Provide readily available calcium to promote cell wall strength, disease resistance, and overall plant vigor with this unique mineral-rich essence derived from eggshells.
Shop NowChoosing the Right Regenerative Approach
The best regenerative farming method depends on your specific goals, available resources, climate conditions, and philosophical preferences. While all three approaches, KNF, permaculture, and biodynamics, can rebuild soil health and create resilient farming systems, each has strengths that make it better suited to particular situations.
When Korean Natural Farming Excels
KNF is ideal for farmers and gardeners who:
- Need immediate soil improvement without major infrastructure investment
- Farm in challenging climates (extreme heat, cold, drought, or altitude)
- Want to reduce input costs by creating their own amendments
- Prefer biological solutions over structural or spiritual approaches
- Need a scalable system that works from backyard gardens to commercial operations
- Value scientific validation and measurable results
- Can commit to regular fermentation and application schedules
Our experience at I·M·POSSIBLE Farm in Colorado's high desert demonstrates KNF's effectiveness in harsh conditions. At 4,500 feet elevation with extreme temperature swings, alkaline soil, and minimal rainfall, conventional farming struggles. KNF's focus on building soil biology and water retention made the difference between failure and thriving medicinal herb production.
When Permaculture Shines
Permaculture excels for those who:
- Have land that requires significant design work (sloped terrain, water management issues)
- Want to create integrated food forests with perennial crops
- Prioritize biodiversity and wildlife habitat creation
- Enjoy design and long-term planning processes
- Can invest in infrastructure (swales, ponds, terraces)
- Prefer polyculture systems over row crops
When Biodynamic Farming Fits
Biodynamics works best for farmers who:
- Seek certification and premium pricing for products
- Value spiritual and cosmic aspects of agriculture
- Can commit to strict protocols and preparation schedules
- Want to participate in an established farming community and network
- Have animals to integrate into closed-loop nutrient cycling
- Appreciate ritualistic and traditional farming practices
Combining Approaches for Maximum Benefit
The most successful regenerative farms often blend elements from multiple systems. At I·M·POSSIBLE Farm, we use permaculture principles for landscape design and water management, KNF for soil fertility and plant nutrition, and integrate beneficial animals for pest control and nutrient cycling. This hybridization allows us to leverage the strengths of each approach while avoiding their limitations.
For example, permaculture's emphasis on perennial polycultures complements KNF's microbial focus. Diverse plant communities support diverse microbial communities, creating synergies that amplify both systems' benefits. Similarly, biodynamic preparations can be incorporated into KNF programs, adding another layer of biological complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see results with Korean Natural Farming?
Most farmers observe noticeable improvements in plant health within 4-6 weeks of beginning KNF applications, with dramatic soil health changes measurable after one complete growing season. Initial benefits include increased plant vigor, better pest resistance, and improved water retention. More substantial changes in soil structure, organic matter content, and microbial populations develop over 6-12 months as biological processes compound. Our Colorado farm achieved a 400% increase in soil biology and doubled organic matter in just one year, demonstrating how rapidly KNF can transform degraded soil.
Can I use KNF inputs on certified organic farms?
Yes, all Korean Natural Farming inputs are compatible with organic certification when made according to standard protocols using approved ingredients. KNF fermented extracts (FPJ, FFJ, OHN) contain only plant materials, brown sugar, and water. Lactic acid bacteria serum uses rice and milk. Water-soluble calcium comes from eggshells and vinegar. All these ingredients are approved for organic production. However, farmers should verify with their certifying agency before use, as specific regulations vary by country and certification program. Many organic farmers adopt KNF specifically because it eliminates dependence on purchased inputs that may have questionable sourcing.
What's the difference between KNF and conventional organic farming?
Korean Natural Farming focuses on building soil microbiology through fermented inputs and indigenous microorganisms, while conventional organic farming often relies on purchased amendments and may not prioritize biological soil health. Many organic operations still use tillage, soluble organic fertilizers, and approved pesticides, which can disrupt soil food webs despite being certified organic. KNF rebuilds these biological communities using locally adapted organisms and farm-created inputs. The result is plants with higher secondary metabolite production, making KNF particularly valuable for medicinal herbs where phytochemical complexity determines therapeutic value. Conventional organic may produce clean food, but KNF produces potent medicine.
Do I need special equipment to practice Korean Natural Farming?
No, KNF requires only basic materials found in most kitchens and gardens: food-grade plastic containers, glass jars, breathable cloth, brown sugar, and access to clean water. Unlike permaculture's need for earthmoving equipment or biodynamics' specialized preparation vessels, KNF can start with items most people already own. A wooden box for collecting indigenous microorganisms, plastic buckets for fermentation, and spray bottles for application cover the essentials. As operations scale, farmers may invest in larger fermentation vessels and backpack sprayers, but these are optional. The system's accessibility is intentional, designed so farmers in developing countries could implement it without significant capital.
How does KNF work in cold climates or during winter?
Korean Natural Farming adapts to cold climates by adjusting fermentation temperatures and focusing on cold-season microorganism collection, though applications pause during hard freezes when soil biology goes dormant. Fermented extracts can be made indoors at room temperature year-round. Indigenous microorganisms collected during cold seasons contain psychrophilic (cold-loving) bacteria that remain active at lower temperatures, making them valuable for early spring and late fall applications. Winter is ideal for making preparations and planning the growing season. Many KNF practitioners in northern climates prepare a year's worth of extracts during warmer months, storing them for use throughout the season. At our Colorado farm, we collect different IMO batches seasonally to capture microbial diversity adapted to various temperature ranges.
Can KNF eliminate the need for compost?
While KNF inputs provide excellent nutrition and microbial inoculation, compost still plays a valuable role in building soil organic matter and physical structure. The two practices work synergistically rather than being mutually exclusive. KNF fermented extracts provide immediately available nutrients and beneficial microbes, while compost offers long-term organic matter that improves water retention, cation exchange capacity, and provides habitat for soil organisms. Many KNF farmers use lactic acid bacteria serum (LABS) to accelerate composting, creating high-quality finished compost in weeks rather than months. At I·M·POSSIBLE Farm, we use both approaches, applying KNF inputs for plant nutrition and using compost to maintain soil organic matter levels in our challenging desert climate.
What makes Sacred Plant Co's KNF products different from making my own?
Our Ancient Wisdom KNF products are made in Colorado's extreme mountain desert climate using indigenous microorganisms adapted to challenging growing conditions, creating exceptionally resilient formulations. While making your own inputs is encouraged and cost-effective, our products offer consistency, concentration, and convenience. We collect IMOs from pristine high-altitude forests and ferment materials at optimal ratios tested through years of experimentation. For beginners, our products provide a reliable starting point while learning fermentation techniques. For experienced practitioners in harsh climates, our cold-adapted and drought-tolerant microbial strains offer genetics not available from typical forest collection sites. We also conduct regular testing to ensure microbial counts and nutrient concentrations meet our standards for medicinal herb production.
