Regenerative Agriculture: Principles, Pioneers + Does It Really Work?

AHA Publisher — Fri, 14 May 2021 07:00:13 +0000

Leah Zerbe, MS, NASM-CPT, NASM-CES via Dr. Axe – Organic. Natural. Permaculture. Regenerative agriculture. It’s a great time to get more connected to the farming practices behind our food. What, exactly, do all of those farming terms really mean? And how do we know if they’re legit or just marketing fluff? One thing is for sure. If we’re going to create enough food without destroying our natural resources and health, we’ve got to embrace regenerative agriculture on a major scale. What is it, exactly? I’m glad you asked. What Is Regenerative Agriculture? It may be beneficial to first explain what regenerative agriculture isn’t. Have you ever driven down a country road, stumbling upon miles and miles of corn, canola or soy fields? That isn’t regenerative agriculture. That’s a monoculture system where farmers plant a lot one one type of crop. It’s not good for the soil; it’s not good for nature, biodiversity and water supplies; and, oftentimes, the crops aren’t even good for people. I really like this definition from the Carbon Underground and Regenerative Agriculture Initiative at California State University, Chico: ‘Regenerative Agriculture’ describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle. Regenerative agriculture treats the land more holistically, taking a big-picture approach instead of worrying only about crop yields. One way of putting it? It works more closely with natural tendencies rather than against them. Instead of using abusive inputs like pesticides, chemical fertilizers, fumigants and GMOs to push the limits of production, regenerative agriculture uses a set of farming principles to not just create food, but a better world, too. In essence, it improves resources rather than depleting them. BDon’t dismiss this utopian way of farming as an out-of-reach dream. It’s already happening all over the word, and it’s scientifically backed to boot, pulling from decades of research investigating organic farming methods, holistic grazing, agroforestry and agroecology. But more on that later. Regenerative agriculture involves practices that: Increase biodiversity Enrich the soil Improve water quality Enhance ecosystem services Reverse climate change (This is especially important since we know climate change and nutrition are intricately linked.) The best side effect? It also creates higher yields and helps crops become more resilient in times of climate instability. In terms of community, regenerative farming boosts health and vitality for people living in the community. In other words, it’s better for the land and for us. Terra Genesis International breaks regenerative agriculture into four main principles, which are further broken down into key principles. Progressively improve whole agroecosystems Create context: Specific designs and holistic decisions that express the essence of each farm Ensure and develop just and reciprocal relationships among all stakeholders Continually grow and evolve individuals, farms and communities to actualize their innate potentials Key practices of regenerative farming include: No-till farming and pasture cropping Organic annual cropping Compost and compost tea Biochar and terra preta Holistically managed grazing Animal integration Ecological aquaculture Perennial crops Silvopasture/agroforestry Let’s take a deeper dive into some these practices below… Agroforestry, Including Silvopasture Practiced around the world for centuries, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines agroforestry as the “intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental, economic and social benefits.” Agroforestry is gaining momentum in the U.S. today because it gives farmers more food crop options to diversify their farm sales. A 2017 study published in Agroforestry Systems shows how incorporating berry- and nut-bearing trees and shrubs with hay and more traditional row crops can increase diversity and income for a farm. Patience is key here. For crops like chestnuts and hazelnuts, meaningful harvests could take seven to 12 years to materialize after planting. The idea, though, is the annual hay or vegetable crops bring annual income until the trees and shrubs produce adequate yields. The main takeaway is farmers can incorporate agroforestry to move toward polyculture instead of relying on just one crop (monoculture). The USDA points out that agroforestry generally involves the four “I”s: Intentional (that blueberry shrub didn’t just plant itself!) Intensive Integrated Interactive Here in America, agroforestry is typically broken up into five categories: 1. Silvopasture The practice of combining trees with livestock at the same place. The idea is that animals benefit from tree cover during heatwaves, rainstorms and other inclement weather, all while the trees provide timber, fruit or nut crops, and forage. The combining of trees and livestock is done in a beneficial way that also promotes stronger soil health. Silvopasture is the most common agroforestry practice in the U.S. It’s particularly popular in the Southeast. 2. Alley Cropping The practice of planting crops between rows of trees to generate farm income as the trees mature. Grains, herbs, flowers, fruit and vegetables are all examples of crops that can be planted in between tree rows. 3. Forest Farming Multistory cropping where different layers produce food. This is related to food forests and food gardens common in permaculture design. Here’s a great food forest guide from Desert Echo. It includes ideas for the following food forest layers: canopy, low-tree, shrub, herbacious, ground cover, rhizosphere, vertical. May also provide shelter for animals. 4. Windbreaks Common on farms to help protect barns, farmhouses and other buildings, and animals from wind, snow, dust and odors Known as living fences or shelterbelts Also support wildlife Choose native tree species for big biodiversity bang for your buck 5. Riparian Forest Buffers Riparian forest buffers are natural or re-established areas along rivers and streams made up of trees, shrubs and grasses. These buffers can help filter farm runoff while the roots stabilize the banks of streams, rivers, lakes and ponds to prevent erosion. These areas can also support wildlife and provide another source of income. Sustainable Livestock Management This includes techniques like rotational grazing but even more so holistically managed grazing. What’s the difference? The Jefferson Center for Holistic Management provides nice background. Rotational Grazing Focuses on moving livestock from one area of pasture to another Protects the soil and pasture plants from compaction and overgrazing Only focuses on moving the livestock to fresh pasture; doesn’t involve the timing of the moves Mob Grazing Focuses on keeping a larger number of animals on a smaller tract of pasture They are moved frequently, sometimes as often as three times a day Related to rotational grazing Plant recovery time isn’t part of the consideration for when to move the livestock Holistic Planned Grazing Gold-standard practice Takes more factors into consideration compared to mob or rotational grazing Amount of time livestock spend on plants and recovery time needed for plants considered Is customized based on the social, economic and environmental factors and needs of each particular ranch Promotes biodiversity, so grazing plans account for nesting and breeding seasons of different animals and birds Better pasture management isn’t just better for plants and animals, either. It’s also great news for more breathable air and a healthy atmosphere. Cows raised on pastures using best management practices produce roughly 22 percent fewer methane emissions. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. Sometimes, though, images, not words, can really convey a message. Check out this video showing conventional land versus holistically managed land: As you can see, careful planning can drastically improve biodiversity and health both above and below the soil. Carbon Helps Climate Change Healthy soil is teeming with microorganisms that help store carbon in the soil, keeping it out of the atmosphere where it promotes climate change. I’d like to think there are parallels we can draw from the microbiome and gut health. When our digestive tracts are flourishing with diverse, beneficial microorganisms, we are healthier. The same is true of our soil. The truth is, shifting to regenerative agriculture on a major scale could return atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to pre-industrial levels, in effect reversing global warming. Research from the Rodale Institute, an organic experimental farm in Pennsylvania, shows that regenerative farming is a legitimate tool for not just slowing, but actually reversing climate change. Here are some major points in the Rodale Institute’s 2014 white paper: If we took all currently available cropland and shifted it to regenerative, organic agriculture methods, up to 40 percent of annual emissions could be captured in the soil. Adding pastures around the world to the regenerative agriculture model could increase the amount of carbon stored to 71 percent. The good news? Nothing needs to be invented to create this type of carbon sequestration. It’s available now, costs little to implement and, as a side benefit, reduces the need for cancer-causing farming chemicals. Many regenerative agriculture techniques help promote healthier carbon levels in the soil, including: Crop rotation Compost Residual mulching Cover crops Conservation tillage Crop Rotation Growing the same crop year after year in the same spot is a recipe for pest infestations, diseased plants, the need for toxic chemicals and lower yields. When you smartly plan and plant your crop rotation, you can build up the soil and grow truly resilient plants. While the most widely known benefits of corp rotation include nutrient retention and nitrogen fixation, which serves as a natural fertilizer for the next crop, there are other benefits to consider, too. Certain crops influence the rhizosphere around the root systems, causing some minerals to be more easily utilized by the next crop. This helps boost the next crop’s plant health and immunity, which often results in higher yields, according to Advancing Eco Agriculture. The idea is that something planted today will change the soil in a way that influences future crops. Compost Compost is the result of recycling organic matter and using it as a soil amendment. It’s also a hallmark of regenerative agriculture. Rich in humus and humic acids, compost also serves as a natural pesticide in the soil. Basic DIY compost principles involve taking waste like leaves and food scraps and allowing worms, fungi and aerobic bacteria to convert it to a soil enhancer. Compost helps saturate the soil with missing microbes, reducing the risk plants will suffer from nutrient deficiencies, diseases, insect damage and drought-related stress. There’s money to be made when it comes to compost, too. Some farms that nix the use of chemical fertilizer and transition to using compost and compost tea experience savings in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range! Better soil, healthier crops and lower bills — who could argue with that? Did you know compost benefits also include a reduction in soil erosion? This has two major benefits. First, it helps the soil store more water, which field tests show helps increase organic crop yields during years of drought. (Organic crops actually outperformed industrial, chemical agriculture crops in years of drought because of this.) Soil scientist Elaine Ingham, Ph.D., is an advocate of thermal composting, something you can even try at home. Perennial Crops A common practice in regenerative agriculture involves planting perennial crops. While not all crops on a regenerative farm need to be perennial, shifting more land into perennial crops and pastures helps minimize soil disruption. This is a key concept of permaculture, where design focuses on replicating how things work in nature. It’s like working with nature to create food, not against it. The idea is that with this permanent design, the workload becomes easier and the crop yields increase with time. Multi-canopy food forests are also key permaculture concepts utilized by many regenerative farms. In fact, permaculture and regenerative agriculture can work hand-in-hand as an effective way to feed the world without using chemicals. Regenerative Agriculture vs. Permaculture vs. Organic Gardening While there is some overlap between regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and organic farming and gardening, there are notable differences, too. Organic Farming/Gardening “Organic agriculture provides a base set of standards. It’s all about minimizing toxins and slightly maximizing nutritional value, although the studies are mixed,” Jordan Rubin, founder of Heal the Planet Farm explained. “The main gist is producing food not laden with chemicals.” That’s certainly good news and a vast improvement from...

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Regenerative Agriculture: Principles, Pioneers + Does It Really Work?