In Southwest Montana, the connection between land and health runs deeper than we often realize…
Regenerative Agriculture
Since the dawn of time farming and agriculture have been a long-standing custom in producing and sustaining life, from our crops, to wildlife, to livestock, to humans. Over the years certain practices have begun to threaten the sustainability of farming and the food sources in which it produces. Through intensive monocultures, tillage, and overutilization of herbicides and pesticides, it has gravely affected the one thing that brings life to the crops; the soil.
Regenerative Agriculture is not a new concept, but as generations went on and quick production and a profit dominated the industry, its practices began to slowly fade. Rooted in the indigenous communities, where regenerative techniques were followed to successfully manage ecosystems, there is a wealth of knowledge and standards that are being reinstated into the agricultural industry to bring back viable soil that creates ecologically sound environments.
This type of land preservation relies on a holistic land-management approach that focuses on actively restoring soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem balance. Regenerative Agriculture is implemented through reducing or eliminating tillage, planting cover crops, diversifying crop rotations, integrating livestock, and adding or leaving organic matter to enrich the soil. Following these key practices increases the integrity of the soil and exponentially reduces the need for chemical usage.
To better understand these techniques, let’s break it down. Traditional plowing can dismantle the soil structure and kill essential networks and nutrients. By the reduction or elimination of tillage with the utilization of farm equipment such as a roller crimper and an air seeder, it allows plants to remain rooted encouraging microbial activity which conserves moisture, reduces erosion, creates an organic mulch layer, and prevents nutrient runoff. Planting cover crops in between cash crops creates its own benefits to nutrient management. Such cover crops as cereal rye absorb and retain residual nitrogen, keeping it from seeping into groundwater, while legumes, such as clover and vetch, organically fix atmospheric nitrogen to the soil. This planting method also deters weeds from sprouting, in turn reducing the need for chemical sprays and tillage to remove them. The act of rotational grazing with livestock allows for the animal’s hooves to press dead vegetation and their own manure into the ground further feeding the microbes and fungi that create a rich and structured soil.
The consistency in which these practices are applied will continue to sustain the healthiest cycle for the soil’s integrity. Along with restoring soil health; adopting this type of agriculture has also been reported to cut operating costs by up to 31% for crop farmers. Proving to not only be a sustainable option for better food production but putting money back into the everyday farmer’s pocket. Despite the positive outcomes of regenerative agriculture, the U.S. farm policy does not prioritize them, so in turn some states have found creative ways to incentive ranchers, farmers, and even private landowners to adopt these practices. In Montana the USDA NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program was implemented to assist in the access to EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) and CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program) funds, allowing bundling of practices like no till, cover cropping, and adaptive grazing to easily be filled out within one application. Upon successfully implementing these key methods and filing within this program helps refund farmers for the hard work and dedication in creating a more sustainable agricultural practice. While crop farmers have a much larger scale to consider when it comes to adopting these techniques, there are a multitude of ways to get involved in Regenerative Agriculture and show your support on a smaller scale.
The most powerful tool we have as humans is our voice and speaking up on matters that can change our way of life for the better. Talk with policy makers, friends, and neighbors about the benefits and necessity of Regenerative Agriculture. Support local ranchers and farmers who are actively practicing these techniques. A great place to start is at your local farmer’s market! Consider your own gardening practices at home; leave behind organic matter to enrich the soil and try planting some of your own small crops. The more individuals that are aware of the benefits of Regenerative Agriculture the bigger impact we can make to sustain our soil, our crops, and when it boils down to it our planet. Together we can make change!
To learn more about Regenerative Agriculture and the programs within Montana to assist with these practices, follow the resources below:
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) | Natural Resources Conservation Service
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) | Natural Resources Conservation Service
Related Posts
Comments (0)