Soil regenerative agriculture

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Certain conventional agricultural practices, such as intensive tilling and improper irrigation, degrade soil and contribute to over one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Damaged soils create environments more prone to extreme weather events, such as floods, which are becoming increasingly frequent and severe.

By leveraging technologies and practices like conservation tillage, cover cropping, crop rotation, composting, mobile animal shelters, and pasture crops, these methods revitalizes soil and enhances the surrounding environment. The result is healthier soil that produces high-quality, nutrient-rich food while also boosting productivity, fostering vibrant ecosystems, and enriching communities.

Here are 4 methods that promote sustainability while boosting agricultural productivity:

Soil is much more than a foundation for crops—it is an ecosystem filled with microorganisms, fungi and worms that work tirelessly improve its structure. These organisms enhance water and nutrient conversion and retention, supporting healthy plant growth. Encouraging soil biodiversity through practices such as composting and reducing heavy tillage helps to reduce erosion and improve fertility over the long term. Fresh worm castings are rich in microbial life your soil and plants need to thrive.

 Integrating livestock into farming is a practice old as time with multiple benefits. Managed grazing allows animals to efficiently consume grass, while their manure acts as a natural fertilizer, enriching the soil. This process also enhances the soil’s structure, improves its ability to store carbon, and reduces the reliance on synthetic fertilizers. 

Eliminating the use of chemical pesticides is another cornerstone of regenerative agriculture. When synthetic fertilizers run off into rivers, lakes, and oceans, the high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus stimulate the rapid growth of algae. This algal bloom can deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating “dead zones” where aquatic life cannot survive. Farmers can adopt biological pest control, using beneficial insects like ladybugs to feed on pests such as aphids. Certain plants, like basil and marigold, emit natural repellents that deter pests.

Avoiding monocultures—the practice of growing a single crop over large areas—is vital for preventing nutrient depletion. Crop rotation, involves alternating different types of crops or growing multiple species in parallel, revitalizes the soil. This practice not only decreases pressure on the soil, but also breaks pest and disease cycles, improving the overall health of the field.