Turns out our ancestors were right all along!
It turns out that the traditional and responsible farming practices humans used for centuries before the rise of chemical agriculture are some of the best methods we can use to protect ourselves and the planet. It’s what we now call regenerative organic farming and it’s back-to-basics: Instead of using excessive amounts of fertilizers in vast single-crop fields (mono-cropping systems), farmers can diversify and rotate crops, compost, plant cover crops and reduce tillage. Ranchers raise animals that are grass-fed and free of antibiotics, added hormones and pesticides in their feed, and live free of cruel confinement conditions and the daily suffering inherent in life on factory farms. Obviously, these practices are slightly different for farms in northern climates like Canada compared to southern areas in the United States or Mexico. But the principals are the same; Producing food using traditional grazing and ranching practices, like the ways our ancestors used to.
Researchers at the Rodale Institute say that if all farms and ranches globally used regenerative organic agriculture techniques, 100% of the world’s carbon emissions could be recaptured into the soil within the first year. In other words, this could literally save the world. And over time, as chemically degraded soil starts to come back to life, crop yields from regenerative organic agriculture can outperform conventional methods, meaning we can feed a growing global population without destroying the planet.
Now that we have PROOF that regenerative agriculture can literally both feed the world and save the world from the current carbon concern – there is a growing global trend coming together to support regenerative organic agriculture. This is a movement led by small farmers and ranchers like Takota Coen of the Coen Farm in Central Alberta, who grazes his animals on nutrient-rich prairie grasses in patterns that help regenerate the soil, increase biodiversity, replenish water supplies and sequester carbon. And on the other side of the continent, in Bluffton, Georgia, White Oak Pastures, a 152-year old family farm, is focusing on regenerative land management using only sun, soil and rain to grow grass for cattle and rotating complimentary animal species through pastures. Their resulting carbon footprint is 111% lower than conventional beef ranches. To change the way the world farms, and to save our planet, everyone, everywhere needs to do their part. Supporting regenerative farms in your area is one of the best ways to get started! Find food from local farms and help make positive changes!