2/10/25 - Regenerative agriculture

“Modern” farming:

• Heavy routine tillage

• Overuse of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers

Soil health:

• Symbiotic microbial allies support the health of plants and animals.

• Soil life acts similarly to our gut microbiome.

• The color difference in soil is due to carbon. Darker/richer = more carbon.

Regenerative farming:

• Regenerative farming can restore soil fertility remarkably fast.

• Farming and ranching could put a lot of carbon back into the ground.

• Minimal disturbance, soil always covered, diverse crop rotations, integrated animals.

Benefits of healthy soil:

• Higher farmer profits

• Comparable yields

• Less fertilizer, pesticide, and fossil fuel use

• Increased soil carbon and water retention, with less off-site pollution

Farming practices affect dietary levels of:

• Phytochemicals

• Vitamins and minerals

• Omega 3 and 6 fats

• Microbial metabolites