Down to Earth Organic & Natural supports Regenerative Agriculture and applauds farmers that are applying these principles.
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative agriculture is a holistic land management approach to food and farming systems that emphasizes:
- Building topsoil
- Increasing biodiversity
- Improving water cycles
- Enhancing natural ecosystems
- Increasing the ability of farmland to withstand climate fluctuation
- Strengthening the health and vitality of farms
The goal is to increase the resiliency of farms while restoring the vitality of the land and the people and animals that eat the crops. Regenerative Agriculture is modeled after nature’s own healthy ecosystems and can revitalize the livelihoods and communities that engage with the land, now and for generations to come.
Regenerative agriculture improves the resources it uses, rather than destroying or depleting them. The practice of Regenerative Agriculture is in collaboration with nature, rather than a struggle against it, and necessitates treating all life with respect.
"If you’ve never heard about the amazing potential of regenerative agriculture and land use practices to naturally sequester a critical mass of CO2 in the soil and forests, you’re not alone. One of the best-kept secrets in the world today is that the solution to global warming and the climate crisis (as well as poverty and deteriorating public health) lies right under our feet, and at the end of our knives and forks." -Ronnie Cummins, Regeneration International
There are many testimonials of farmers that have turned unproductive farmland into thriving farms that now produce healthy organic food. Read about farmers that are successfully imitating and enhancing natural ecosystems on their land here:
“Our farm on the hill is set atop old lava flows...as is everything on this ever growing island. We have tropical volcanic soils with a very thin layer of topsoil, which makes gardening an adventure and a year-round endeavor. On the land we have many different types of fruit trees including a large ulu tree, 16 different bananas (which are not technically trees but the world's largest herb), plantains, cherimoya, papaya, lychee, loquat, jaboticaba, tree tomato, soursop, a handful of avocado and coconut trees and over 150 macadamia nut trees. We also have a sugar cane, bamboo, a taro patch, sweet potato and kabocha patches, turmeric beds, lillikoi vines and veggie gardens. Many of the trees are integrated with our animals for feed and fertilizer…” Honaunau Farm
“Twenty-five years ago, I decided to settle in southwestern Wisconsin and convert the land to a mimic of the natural plant community type that was originally there. I was 100% debt financed. I lived on the land and had nothing when I first arrived. About 60% of the land had been farmed in annual crops with only stubble left over from the previous year’s crop. The other 30% was incredibly over-grazed pasture where the grass was no taller than a golf course green with roots that didn’t penetrate the soil more than an inch….” Bioneers
“Kneehigh Farm practices regenerative agriculture, rather than sustainable. As stewards of the land, we feed our community through feeding the farm. Healthy land = healthy food = healthy people. Learning to work with the land, rather than against it, teaches us humility, flexibility, and wonder. By addressing the capacities and needs of the farm, we can be confident that our produce is truly nourishing those who eat it….” Kneehigh Farm