Regenerative Farming
What is it?
Many farmers are looking into ways that they can combat climate change or global warming with their farming practices. This has led to the popularity of regenerative agriculture or farming. With regenerative agriculture, farmers can use photosynthesis to sequester carbon in the soil and improve soil health as well as more crops, better water supply, and packing the soil with more nutrients. This practice reverses the damage done by years of farming overusing the soil.
It is important to note that regenerative farming or agriculture is not one specific practice but a combination of changes that supports the overall process. The goal is to reduce the amount of waste created by farms and the overall carbon footprint by reducing waste, composting, and not using tills.
What are the benefits?
Regenerative farming is great for the environment because it improves the biodiversity in the soil. While this is good in and of itself, it also improves biodiversity in the air and water as well because as the land returns to a clean bill of health, it improves the surrounding elements. Some other benefits include improving the water quality and quantity by decreasing the usage of chemical and pesticides — which can help reduce drinking water pollution, algal blooms, and better ground and surface water.
There are more than just ecological benefits, however. Farmers who have implemented regenerative farming techniques have seen healthier and larger crop yields which produces more money and stimulates the economy.
Why move towards regenerative agriculture?
Soil is an important part of the food chain and the ecosystem. Soil can hold more water, increase plant vitality, provide more nutrients to plants, and purify water. These benefits all increase the climate resilience of the earth, which is essential for our survival. In regenerative agriculture, natural processes like water cycling, pest predation, and weed competition are restored and enhanced. This has a positive effect on the ecosystem, which ultimately supports productivity and reduces our reliance on inputs needed to combat system stressors.
In regenerative agriculture, natural processes like water cycling, pest predation, and weed competition are restored and enhanced. This has a positive effect on the ecosystem, which ultimately supports productivity and reduces our reliance on inputs needed to combat system stressors.
Not everyone believes these benefits however, and claim the results have been exaggerated or falsified. Some have even proposed other solutions, like more holistic grazing for cattle and preserving the diversity of nature. However, these suggestions have yet to prove real results in the same way that regenerative farming already has.
Conclusion
In conclusion, regenerative farming is a newer farming method that some are moving towards to prevent global warming, promote soil health and biodiversity, and improve water supply. Farmers are also experiencing the benefits as their crops prove to be more abundant and provide more money. Regenerative farming is not a simple change but more of a lifestyle change to restore overall soil health and fertility.