As a farmer, you know that your land and your dividends aren’t the only things you have to stay aware of. There’s no end to the list of terms and techniques that continue to sprout up in the world of farming and agriculture, and more are appearing by the day. With so many ways of doing things, it can be tough to remember each and every one, but one that you should take care to remember is “regenerative farming.” We’ll be going over the definition of regenerative agriculture today at Fruit Growers Supply, and why it might be the best choice for your farm.
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
If you’ve never heard the term before, it can seem like a bit of a mouthful, but we promise it’s not as complicated as it might sound. The definition presented on Regeneration International provides a handy primer:
Regenerative Agriculture” describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle.
There are many different things under the definition of regenerative agriculture—from recognizable concepts such as composting to more arcane terms like agroforestry—but all of them share the common goal of utilizing renewable resources and responsible growing and harvesting techniques. Regenerative farming can often be boiled down to the concept of taking care of your land, and having it take care of you and your community in return.
How Does it Work?
This concept uses many different technologies and techniques, from ancient traditions to modern innovations, to ensure that the earth’s soil is preserved and biodiversity can flourish alongside—and even due to—the way farmers till the land. The regenerative agriculture definition has room for the oldest of farming techniques, such as crop rotation to make sure the crops in question are in synchronicity with the seasons they’re being harvested in, to silvopasture, a relatively new farming philosophy that uses grazing lands and forestry in combination to reduce carbon emissions. Regenerative harvesting techniques use a fusion of technical know-how and the natural intuition of land care to make sure human beings and the earth they work on are always functioning in harmony.
How Can I Get Started?
The definition of regenerative agriculture is one that appeals to many farmers, but actually putting it into practice will take some doing if it isn’t a concept you’re familiar with. A great place to start is with irrigation—making sure that your land is getting watered equitably and with little to no waste. It isn’t as simple as laying some pipes down and letting the natural water flow to your crops: good irrigation is dependent on everything from the consistency of your soil to the elevation at which you’re working, so this element of regenerative farming can always be helped by precision and expertise.
Your regenerative agriculture definition should also take pains to include appropriate timber sourcing. Even if you personally don’t farm in a heavily wooded part of the world, you’re going to have to use timber products eventually, and when you do you’ll want to make sure they come from a reliable and sustainable production company. Tree health is tremendously important in many areas of regenerative agriculture, so this is one area where thinking globally will be of benefit to you and your land as well.
Finally, you can’t neglect your everyday tools in the form of everything from rakes to fertilizer. The regenerative agriculture definition seeps into everything from the ground you walk on to the equipment you carry in your own two hands. Being mindful of your tools and using only the most effective wares will decrease waste, increase productivity, and make it that much easier for your soil and produce to thrive.
In with the New
If some of this has gone over your head, don’t fret. Before we conclude, it’s important to remember that while its practices and the philosophy behind it have existed in some form or another almost since humans first invented the concept of agriculture, the definition of regenerative agriculture itself is still relatively new, and that means its best practices and concepts are always subject to change. You’ll be better equipped to produce high yields and tend fertile earth if you’re staying abreast of the latest trends and breakthroughs in regenerative farming. This is merely an introduction to a massive concept; regenerative farming is a huge and ever-evolving philosophy that’s netting farmers all over the world fantastic results, and you should be excited to pioneer the field right along with them.
Update Your Regenerative Agriculture Definition and Join Fruit Growers Supply
Some elements of regenerative agriculture might be new, but one thing that definitely isn’t is Fruit Growers Supply and our commitment to sustainability. For nearly 115 years, we’ve been bolstering local farming communities and encouraging agriculturalists and produce manufacturers to give the earth as much love as it gives to them. No matter what kind of food market you’re active in, Fruit Growers Supply has the tools and knowledge to bring your output to the next level.
To see exactly how Fruit Growers Supply meets a regenerative agriculture definition that you can utilize in your own life, get in touch with us now. And if you have your own stories or advice about the world of regenerative farming, leave us a comment below and let your voice be heard, because we’d love to hear about them. Fruit Growers Supply is a friend to farmers of all kinds and the soil they work on in equal measure, so join our family today.
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