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REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE

Farming has changed dramatically in the last 150 years. In a relatively short space of time, we have moved from horse pulled ploughs and small family run farms to large, commercial, machine powered production sites.

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Whilst the volume of food produced has increased, this has come at the cost of the natural environment. Yet food production cannot exist without a healthy, natural environment, and so the time has come to rethink our farming practices and start working with nature rather than against it. ​

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The Green Revolution

The great boom in agricultural productivity over the last 150 years can largely be attributed to the industrial revolution. Burning fossil fuels to release energy has allowed mechanisation of farming practices, production of chemical inputs and intensification of livestock rearing, allowing farmers to get more yield from the same amount of land. We have a lot to thank to farmers – the reliable, high quality, delicious food supply has revolutionised our lives, allowing us to have careers and hobbies, instead of spending all day working to provide food.

Save
the soil

Soil is thought to have been the hardest hit by intensive agriculture. Since 1850, 84% of the UK’s fertile topsoil has been lost, a hugely concerning number given food production is completely dependent on fertile land. Soil also holds in total 3 times more carbon than the atmosphere, making it an essential part of regulating atmospheric carbon levels. Saving our soil is essential for a sustainable food supply.

WORKING WITH NATURE

There are many labels being used for a new (well actually old!) approach to farming. Regenerative agriculture, agroecology, organic farming, permaculture all have their nuances, but share a common underlying concept of working with ecosystem services to restore nature whilst still producing food from the land. Below are 4 key areas that are considered in more nature friendly farming:

01

SOILS

Despite the postcard worthy ideal of a perfectly ploughed field, soil is actually healthiest when undisturbed as much as possible. Regenerative agriculture requires soils to be covered year round, held together with living roots and minimally-tilled (dug up!). 

02

INPUT MANAGEMENT

Instead of using chemical additives, regenerative agriculture relies on natural inputs, such as manure, compost and nitrogen fixing legumes to fertilise the soil. Pests and diseases can be managed by encouraging a more diverse ecosystem, where predatory species will feed on and kill unwanted pests. Water irrigation can also be more carefully managed through precision application and holistic care of soils and drainage.

03

BIODIVERSITY

Ecosystems are stronger and more resilient when there are more different species in them. Each species plays a distinct role in regulating and supporting the system. Given the biodiversity crisis we are experiencing, ensuring that we maintain any remaining natural habitats is essential. We can also introduce more diversity onto farms, through inter-cropping (planting different species together) and by planting more trees, hedgerows and field margins.

04

PEOPLE

Of course at the heart of farming is people. 13% of the British population is employed in the agri-food sector, with over 100,000 farmers. Ensuring these individuals have high quality of life is essential, from empowering small-holder farmers, promoting diversity, offering training and financial security and wellbeing support. 

Organic

Organic agriculture is probably the term most people have heard of, which completely prohibits the use of any synthetic input. Organic is best in class for protecting the natural biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus and for supporting biodiversity. Historically, organic yields have struggled to compete with conventional agriculture, due to the reduced control over nutrients, diseases and pests. For this reason, in the UK, less than 3% of land is currently farmed organically. Yet as time goes on, organic land is likely to be far more fertile and resilient to extreme weather than land that has been intensively farmed. 

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How to do your bit

If, like me, you are not a farmer, you may be wondering how you can play a role in this. As consumers, we buy products that are labelled with things like grown organically, without chemicals, with regenerative practices or with nature friendly farming. Of course these claims are subjective, so always worth reading the small print to understand the authenticity of the claim. If you can, find local farmers who are adopting regenerative agriculture and choose to support them directly. They may have a farm shop or a veg box subscription.

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