Is “natural sequence farming” the secret to restoring our water-starved continent? For more than a decade, two farmers have shown that parched landscapes can be revived. And finally, Canberra’s listening.
Martin Royds, Braidwood farmer talks to Peter Andrews at Baramul Horse Stud. Peter’s work in the Widden Brook, using Natural Sequence Farming principles has brought great productivity gains. He explains to Martin the sequence of events.
The push is on in Central Queensland’s pastoral industry to bolster pasture productivity while at the same time shifting to more ‘natural’ land management systems, such as those promoted by Peter Andrews. As seen on www.farmonline.com.au From agricultural news, weather, classifieds and market reports to properties for sale, job vacancies and rural events, farmonline has it covered.
David Marsh:
David Marsh speaks about his change moment from industrial agriculture to a more holistic approach that has seen his property have plentiful grass coverage even during drought. Follow David at www.arlash.com/blog a leader in regenerative agriculture.
DrCharles Massy:
USA
Ray Archulta:
A presentation by Ray Archuleta of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service at the National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health.
David Bamberger:
Almost 50 years ago, fried chicken tycoon David Bamberger used his fortune to purchase 5,500 acres of overgrazed land in the Texas Hill Country. Planting grasses to soak in rains and fill hillside aquifers, Bamberger devoted the rest of his life to restoring the degraded landscape. Today, the land has been restored to its original habitat and boasts enormous biodiversity. Bamberger’s model of land stewardship is now being replicated across the region and he is considered to be a visionary in land management and water conservation.
David Brandt:
David Brandt discusses long-term cover cropping in annual crop systems at Dansville, Pennsylvania, in March 2016 during the Columbia County Conservation District Soil Health Conference. Dave’s decades of experience comes to life with anecdotes and reflections on how be has built his soil by using more than 40 cover crops, reducing tillage, and maintaining soil cover all year.
Outside Bismarck, ND is a ranch that exemplifies a quiet revolution in commercial agriculture. While more and more consumers learn about the overwhelming benefits of eating healthfully (preferably local, organic food), a growing number of farmers and ranchers are weaning themselves from the grip of a small cartel of extremely powerful chemical “pharming” corporations. They are returning to a style of farming that had always existed before. Gabe & Paul Brown are a father and son who are not shy about showing off their beautiful land and visibly happy livestock. They practice what they call “Regenerative Farming” – a set of practices that encourage biodiversity and the natural enrichment of untilled soils. Improving soil health is a priority and no-till farming has been practiced since 1993. A diverse cropping strategy, which includes cover and companion crops are used. They have elimnated the use of synthetic fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides and use no GMO crops. The result? Incredibly good food they produce for less than half the cost of chemical farming. Yep. Better food for less money with less damage to us and the planet. Win, win and win.
Healthy soil is essential to the future of food production but our planet is losing 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil every year. North Dakota farmer Gabe Brown practices regenerative farming which includes principles and practices to improve soil and promote diversity. By planting a mix of crops, using minimal chemicals, and letting animals graze freely, his family farm is thriving and so are the lands around it.
The United States is in crisis. The health of our soil resource has declined to such a point that it is not only negatively affecting farm and ranch profitability, but it is also having a devastating impact on everything from our water quality to our communities and even to our health. North Dakota rancher Gabe Brown walks us through a common sense solution to this crisis. Gabe Brown is one of the pioneers of the current soil health movement that focuses on regenerating our resources. Gabe, along with his wife, Shelly, and son, Paul, own and operate a diversified 5,000-acre farm and ranch near Bismarck, ND. Their operation focuses on farming and ranching in nature’s image.
ill Niman is a well-known figure in the ranching world, having spent more than 40 years raising livestock in humane and sustainable ways. Along with his wife Nicolette Hahn Niman, he has consistently spoken out about a number of controversial issues related to livestock production, including the misuse of antibiotics, animal welfare and the climate benefits of pasture-based production. His current enterprise is Bill Niman Farm in Marin County, California. Near the ocean, the ranch is where Niman raises grass-fed, antibiotic- and hormone-free beef, as well as heritage turkeys. He promotes the ranch as a sustainable business model. In 2006 and 2007, he served on the Pew Commission, which investigated the externalization of costs in the industrial agriculture industry.
Joel Salatin, an organic farmer located in the Shanendoah Valley in Virginia, loves his grass – and so do his cows. In this talk Salatin outlines the role that this often unsung hero of the plant world plays in sustainable farming, and the effects that its efficient utilization can have on the world around us. Joel Salatin is a third generation beyond organic farmer and author whose family owns and operates Polyface Farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The farm produces salad bar beef, pigaerator pork, pastured poultry, forage-based rabbits and direct markets everything to 5,000 families, 50 restaurants, and 10 retail outlets. A prolific author, Salatin’s nine books to date include both how-to and big picture themes. The farm features prominently in Michael Pollan’s NYT bestseller Omnivore’s Dilemma and the award-winning documentary, Food Inc.
We got to tour Polyface Farm owned by Joel Salatin. He gave the staff of Homesteaders of America a personal tour and spoke about how he manages his operation.
They say this unconventional, regenerative style farming CAN’T feed the world. But, Joel Salatin has taken 10x’d the productivity of his land mostly from rotational grazing animals and spreading compost. Join us as we move Cows to fresh Grass and hear the story of Polyface Farm. Take a stand with Joel at the July 2020 Mother Earth News Fair at Polyface
Zimbabwe
Allan Savory:
This in-depth documentary explores Allan Savory and how he has used Holistic Management and Planned Grazing to completely transform his land in Zimbabwe.
“Desertification is a fancy word for land that is turning to desert,” begins Allan Savory in this quietly powerful talk. And terrifyingly, it’s happening to about two-thirds of the world’s grasslands, accelerating climate change and causing traditional grazing societies to descend into social chaos. Savory has devoted his life to stopping it. He now believes — and his work so far shows — that a surprising factor can protect grasslands and even reclaim degraded land that was once desert.
