What is Regenerative Agriculture?
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Growing up in Texas, I have noticed how agricultural practices have gradually changed for the better. Before, cattle farmers used to let livestock graze in the fields with reckless abandon – effectively rendering the soil barren and, in effect, cutting off the necessary nutrients that grazing plants need for cattle. Because of this, there are already multitudes of farmers in Texas that have been employing strategies that are in line with Regenerative Agriculture.
At the turn of the century, with the advent of farm machinery, unchecked methods of food production, and the increasing development of chemicals used in agriculture, farming has become contributory to destroying the environment. This is because unsustainable farming practices that are used in large-scale settings destroy ecosystems of farms which triggers a chain reaction that affects not only the soil but also the plants. There is a way to reverse soil deterioration and it is through sustainable agricultural practices – one of which is Regenerative Agriculture.
So what is Regenerative Agriculture? Regenerative Agriculture is an approach to sustainable food production that emphasizes the impact of grazing, and farming on soil. This translates to practices that not only rehabilitate the affected farming area but will further improve it in the long term. This can be achieved by using strategies that are based on climate and the type of location that a particular farmer is working with. Because of this, there are a lot of ways to approach Regenerative Agriculture that this article alone cannot cover. But there are core techniques that this approach follows that serve as general rules-of-the-thumb.
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Here are the general techniques that guide regenerative farming practices.
Conservation Tillage
Traditionally, commercial farming employs the breaking up of the topsoil to prepare it for planting. This practice produces an environment where nutrient-producing bacteria cannot thrive and carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Conservation tillage removes or reduces the need for breaking up the soil. In effect, the different microorganisms are allowed to thrive and will make the soil rich in nutrients. This technique creates a healthier setting for plants to grow in and keeps more carbon dioxide in the soil.
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Good practice in conservation tillage is to leave the by-product of last season’s harvest on the ground. This provides cover that prevents wind and water erosion, or particulate matter and nutrient loss. In effect, this practice integrated into the technique of conservation tillage significantly improves the quality of air and water. A bonus to this technique is also how economically viable it is for farmers because of the reduced need for using farming machinery in tilling the land – effectively breaking down costs by reducing labor, machinery wear, saving time, and conserving fuel.
Rotation and Cover Crops
If left exposed, the essential nutrients that support the growth of plants will dry out or wash away. Also, if farmers opt to plant the same crop each season, this will result in an imbalance of nutrients that will degrade the quality of the topsoil. To remedy this problem, Rotation and Cover Crops are used as a stopgap to unsustainable practices which leave the soil barren.
By employing a mix of rotating crops from season to season, and strategically planting cover crops in a farming area, diversification of soil organic matter can be attained. This allows for a more balanced soil nutrient content which allows it to be more versatile in accommodating various crops for planting. Rotation and cover crops also naturally manage pest and disease problems in crops while limiting or removing the use of harmful chemicals.
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Diversity
One thing that has been practiced by industrial/commercial farming is the mistake of planting the same crop season after season. This lack of diversity leads to deficient nutrients in the soil. The variety of microorganisms and the potential number of nutrients will be diminished if a farmer is going to stick to planting one or two crops. As a result, this practice harms plant growth.
By planting different plants, different forms of carbohydrates are released into the soil through the roots of plants. As a result, different microorganisms will thrive which are then turned into different nutrients that benefit both the plants and the soil. If practiced by farmers, this would create nutrient-rich soil that makes farming sustainable and provides an ideal environment for plants to grow and produce a higher yield.
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Limit Chemical and Biological Activity
Conventional farming methods heavily rely on chemicals and soil amendments that have a negative long-term impact on the overall health of the soil. This practice degrades soil health and leads to possible complications with the development of crops. Also, it can lower the nutritional value of plants by introducing chemicals and other substances that negatively affect the development of essential nutrients on a farmer’s crop.
By limiting chemical and biological activity, the natural relationship between microorganisms and plant roots will thrive. This practice is going to make the soil rich in nutrients that enable microbes and plant roots to sustain one another – making for thriving plants and rich soil. Also, this practice minimizes costs in the way of labor, procurement of harmful chemicals, and soil amendments.
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Being outside of the conventional means of farming, many producers have looked at regenerative agriculture with doubt. This is because it takes less financial capital as compared to using chemicals, limiting the use of machinery, and just plain and simple leaving the farmland to recover. But despite the doubts, there are already quite a number of Texas farms that are employing sustainable approaches to food production.
If you look closely, leaving the land to naturally recover and helping it by reintroducing crops that are known to grow in your specific areas in Texas is the ideal approach. In doing so, the soil, microorganisms, and plants will have a natural interaction that will produce richer soil and more sustainable farming for years to come. In summary, it all boils down to allowing the land to breathe and recover to its normal state or even enriching it further.
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