Gene Hunter
In an era remarkable for environmental challenges, the role of agriculture in fostering sustainability and ecological balance has become increasingly vital. Regenerative organic agriculture (RGA) stands out as a promising solution. Empowering young farmers to embrace this approach can be a transformative step towards a more sustainable future.
This article explores the benefits of regenerative organic agriculture and ways to support and enable the younger generation to take the lead in implementing these practices.
RGA goes beyond conventional, modern farming methods by focusing on holistic ecosystem management, soil health, and biodiversity. This approach aims to restore and enhance our ability, as well as that of our ecosystems, to survive climate chaos by improving the health of the soil, water conservation, and supporting the overall well-being of the environment of which we humans are a part. Key principles include minimal soil disturbance, cover cropping, diverse crop rotations and intercropping, refraining from using fossil fuel derived inputs or poisons and the integration of livestock into farming systems.
Benefits of Regenerative Organic Agriculture
Carbon Sequestration: Regenerative practices capture and store carbon in the soil, mitigating climate change. (See Rodale’s white paper for more information.) Healthy soils act as a carbon sink, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from other sources and drawing down the atmospheric CO2 to a livable level even after we stop increasing it.
Soil Health: Regenerative practices contribute to the improvement of soil structure and fertility. Healthy soils retain water more effectively, reducing the need for irrigation.
Biodiversity: Crop diversity and the integration of livestock support a more biodiverse ecosystem. This biodiversity helps control pests naturally and enhances the resilience of the farming system including enhancing survival rates of crucial beneficial pollinators.
Water Conservation: Improved soil structure enhances water retention, reducing the need for irrigation. Cover cropping reduces soil erosion, preventing water pollution.
What are pollinators and why should you care?
Helping pollinators helps fulfill a crucial need of new young farmers (and all farmers) to avoid the negative consequences from colony collapse and poisoning of our food. This is something anyone with any size property can undertake on their own.
The majority of pollinators in North Dakota are insects such as native bees, honey bees, beetles, flies, moths, and butterflies. Through the process of foraging, both native and non-native pollinators provide pollinating services to many native flowering plants. Perennial plants such as flowering shrubs, legumes and wildflowers provide consistent foraging habitat during the spring, summer, and fall. Annual plants, such as certain commodity and produce crops, provide foraging opportunities. Of animal pollinators, bees are considered to the most important group. Pollen, usually moistened with nectar or floral oil, is used to feed larvae, and nectar is used to fuel the flight of adults. Many bees are active above ground as adults for only a few weeks or months. Bees require a reliable protein source (pollen) during their active period, generally late April through early October, to carry the adult and offspring through the winter to the next blooming period. Most native bees nest underground as solitary individuals. Relatively undisturbed conditions with suitable ground and/or nest structure provide nesting sites. Nesting sites are important because the further the bees must travel the more energy the pollinator uses. If bees travel long distances to a poor food source and become stressed, the bees may be more susceptible to environmental factors such as parasites and disease resulting in possible starvation or possible reproductive decline. The average foraging distance for native bees ranges from approximately 50 feet to one-half mile while non-native pollinators, such as the European honey bee, range up to several miles from the colony.
Where do you start? The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in cooperation with its partners, has developed two publications to assist landowners. These publications are titled Farming for Pollinators and Farming for Bees: Guidelines for Providing Native Bee Habitat on Farms. These publications are available at your local United States Department of Agriculture Service Center NRCS office or you can download them on the Internet.
Also see: Save the Bees (& All Pollinators), by Claire Todaro.
Enabling Young Farmers in Regenerative Organic Agriculture
Education and Training: Rodale Institute and The Seed Farm provide excellent programs. Educational programs that teach young farmers about regenerative organic practices. Collaborate with agricultural universities, research institutions, and experienced farmers to provide hands-on training.
Financial Support: Offer grants, subsidies, or low-interest loans to young farmers adopting regenerative practices. An example of energy aid is the federal REAP program. This is an example of a grant that will pay for 50% of a photovoltaic system with an additional 30% available from a different program. If the REAP could be made more simply and readily available that would help more of us. Financial incentives can help offset the initial costs of transitioning to regenerative organic agriculture.
Networking and Mentorship: Facilitate mentorship programs connecting experienced regenerative farmers with new enthusiasts.Create networks and forums where young farmers can share experiences and learn from each other.
Access to Resources: Ensure access to quality seeds, organic inputs, and equipment at affordable prices. Establish resource centers providing information, tools, and technical assistance to support regenerative practices.
Policy Advocacy: Pennsylvania Farmers Union provides assistance on advocacy for farmers, as does the National Young Farmers Coalition young farmers., Advocate for policies that promote and incentivize regenerative organic agriculture.
Collaborate with government bodies to create a supportive regulatory environment for sustainable farming practices.
Market Access: Develop channels for young farmers to access local markets that appreciate and pay premiums for regenerative organic produce. Foster relationships between farmers and consumers to create awareness and demand for sustainably produced food such as in the Community Supported Agriculture model (CSAs).*
Enabling young farmers to embrace regenerative organic agriculture is an investment in the future of sustainable food production. By providing education, financial support, networking opportunities, and access to resources, we can empower the next generation to become stewards of the land, fostering healthier ecosystems and resilient farming communities. The collaborative efforts of governments, educational institutions, and the agricultural industry are crucial in creating an environment where regenerative organic agriculture can thrive, ensuring a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
Gene has been an active member of the Alliance Steering committee for over 10 years. He lives in Forks Township. He also likes bicycling, tennis and lifting weights.
My son Dan’s CSA on our property, for the past 15 years, has been an inspiration for this article. We are also working to create an edible forest garden on our land. Gene is past chair of Social Action at UUCLV and is a member of 350.org, Third Act, CELDF.org, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Solar United Neighbors.
Endnotes
https://rodaleinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/rodale-white-paper.pdf
www.xerces.org
https://www.sustainlv.org/focus-on/save-the-bees-all-pollinators/
https://rodaleinstitute.org/education/training-programs/rodale-institute-farmer-training
https://www.theseedfarm.org/
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency/pa#
https://pasafarming.org/soil-institute/farmer-training-development/dva-home/
https://pafarmlink.org/
https://pafarmersunion.org/
https://www.youngfarmers.org/
https://www.buylocalglv.org/
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