Although the term might be recent, regenerative farming isn’t anything new. It’s not about trends, subsidies, or marketing gimmicks. In essence, it’s simply about working with nature, not against it.
Key Principles of Regenerative Agriculture
Soil Health Comes First
Healthy soil is the foundation of everything. Regenerative farming builds soil organic matter, retains moisture, and supports beneficial microbes. Instead of stripping the land with synthetic inputs, it focuses on replenishing nutrients naturally.
Grazing the Way Nature Intended
Rotational grazing mimics natural herd movement, giving pastures time to recover, improving root systems, and reducing the need for external fertilizers. Well-managed livestock aren’t just part of the system—they drive regeneration.
Water Cycle Management
Regenerative farms hold water where it’s needed. Strong root systems and healthy soil mean rain soaks in rather than washing away, reducing runoff and keeping pastures green through dry spells.
Biodiversity
A healthy farm manifests itself in abundant biodiversity both of plant life and organisms. Tell-tale signs of a vibrant ecosystem include numerous organisms in the soil, diverse bird species under trees and in hedgerows, and trout in creeks and streams. A regenerative farm becomes a nature reserve.
Real-Life Examples of Regenerative Agriculture
Here are some examples of how we apply regenerative farming on Pasture Fresh® farms:
Rotational Grazing
Our lambs move across different pastures, eating grass growth, trampling the blades apart to let the sunlight through, and leaving manure behind which naturally fertilizes the earth. Our average square feet per head guarantee the land is never overgrazed, allowing grasses to regrow in all seasons.
Tree and Shelterbelt Planting
A large project in recent years has been the maintenance of shelterbelts on Pasture Fresh® farms, which not only provide wind protection and shade for our lambs, but also prevent soil erosion and harbour a wide range of species.
Soil Carbon Capture
By maintaining year-round ground cover, our pastures pull carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil, reducing emissions naturally with no carbon credits involved.
Water Retention Practices
Our healthy soil structure increases water absorption and reduces runoff, so pastures stay productive even during dry spells.
Conclusion
If the soil dies, everything dies. Regenerative farming takes a lot of expertise and experience, but ultimately, it’s about letting nature do what it does best. The result is better land, healthier animals, and more nutrient-dense, higher-quality food.
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