Why regenerative agriculture begins with the soil – in the godfather

For most people, the soil is synonymous with dirt – this is the mud you slide into when it rains, the dust you wash from your car in the summer.

But for some Cambria farmers, soil regeneration becomes a central mission, they hope, interconnected benefits for their bottoms, environment, people’s diets and agricultural communities.

Two such farmers are Nick Renison and Husband Renault, who are farming in Cannerheugh, in the Eden Valley.

Like many others, the couple first began to focus on what is now widely known as regenerative agriculture due to the need to reduce the use of chemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides to save money.

“What exactly does regenerative farming mean can be a real adhesive moment for people,” says Nick.

“But for me, this is a simple question – the decisions you make regeneration or degeneration of the soil, ecology, livestock, your business and, importantly, yourself?”

Regenerative agriculture is based on the realization that the soil is much more than just sand, silt or clay.

In fact, it is a lively, breathable community of plants, animals, microorganisms and fungi, and the lighter it can be.

Not only is the living, diverse soil more productive, but it can also show more resistance to the effects of heavy rain and drought, holding and filtering water more efficiently.

One of the basic principles for regenerative farmers is to maintain a variety of plants in the soil, which in turn encourages more living things in it, as well as insects and animals above the earth.

A larger variety of life in the soil can help mitigate the dominance of weeds that affect the cultivation, as well as promote species that control pests. Improved soil health is also associated with a greater density of nutrients in food and a positive effect on human health.

Although regenerative farmers do not rule out the use of chemicals, they will seem to minimize their applications due to the negative effects they can have on soil biology. Other practices include a reduction in plowing because of the damage it causes underground.

One of the main methods is to divide the fields into very small pads and to move livestock between them regularly – often once a day.

(Image: Nick and Renault Renison)

The Cannerheugh Nic and Reno move around 200 beef cows – consisting of 80 cattle and followers of Aberdeen Angus – every day between the two -acre pad.

This concentrates the animals in a smaller area every day, where they trample their natural fertilizer – in the form of a mook – in the soil. It also gives the pauders a long rest period, which allows the variety of plants to grow.

This allows farmers to maximize the amount of natural fodder to avoid buying in additional feed and be able to keep animals out for as much as possible, avoiding the cost of bringing them indoors.

“It takes time and money to adjust your water and divide your fields, but everything is possible,” says Nick.

“Cattle responds well to the relocation every day, but it is the rest period that gives you the largest blow to your dollar -better infiltration of water, soil health and important grass growth. Last year, our average rest period between grazing was 83 days. ”

Along with the beef flock, Nick and Renault also economic egg chickens, as well as pigs that feed in the forest and fall.

One of the main events for the regenerative agricultural community in the UK is Groundswell every year, in Hertfordshire, a two -day conversation festival and workshops combining farmers, companies, the food industry and anyone with interest.

In 2021, Nick and friend Liz Generation – a respected farmer and consultant from Lincolnshire – set up their own Regente Festival, called Carbon Calling, along with farmer Tim Nicholson.

The name is to nod how regenerative methods can help reduce carbon emissions, as well as at the more famous Kendall call festival, which is being held nearby.

They have been holding the event every year on Tim’s Tim farm in Kirkby Torre. It will then be held on June 24 to June 26.

Like Groundswell, he hosts speakers and leaders in the field and is intended to encourage farmers to share knowledge about regenerative practices.

“We are trying to do it a little differently every year, but the ethos remains constant – farmers who talk to farmers,” says Nick.

“It’s very calm a few days on a farm at Kirkby Thore, interesting speakers, workshops, incredible food and a local bar.”

(Image: Mark and Jenny Lee)
Two of Carbon Calling’s regular participants are Mark and Jenny Lee, who are engaged in a farm at Park House, Torpenhow, Northern Cambria.

Mark and Jenny began to deal with agriculture with their parents in 2011, using a conventional dairy system.

However, they stopped using chemicals in 2017 and received full organic certification in 2020.

The farm is also part of the pastures for life, an organization that accredits the farms in which animals are raised on pastures, not for purchased feed.

Mark and Jenny use the grazing technique for about 150 cows that are cross between T -shirts, Frisians and Norwegian reds.

They also plant roof crops on the pasture to increase diversity, and animals live outside for 320 days a year.

Other techniques include Bali grazing, where hay bales, cut in the summer months, are deployed in the winter flight. They are then fed in stripes with cows, trampling hay and their own fly in the soil, promoting healthy growth.

They are also in the process of planting trees on a farm of 350 acres.

For the Mark, the Three Pillars of the approach are the economic, environmental and social benefits it brings.

Economically, improved soil health improves production naturally without having to buy expensive raw materials.

In the meantime, the promotion of a variety of plants and the use of smaller chemicals has clear environmental benefits.

“The life that people often ignore is the social side,” he says.

“If you are back 13 years, it was an intense farm, the livestock was fully accommodated. We produced several million liters a year and rented two and a half people.

“But we also bought in a lot of feed and the margins were narrow.

“We have now reduced the volume of milk we produced on the ground, but the nutrient density has increased a lot and created 13 jobs.
“So, if you want to look at how the farm is sitting in the community, we provide 13 more families.”

They use the milk they produce to make their own awarded cheese, which they sell directly through the TorpenHow cheese company, as well as three Gelato hills.

Most of the rest are delivered to the first milk for the cooperative of dairy products.

Mark says that the presence of a more diverse diet creates healthier cattle -leading to less costs for veterinary and medical accounts -as well as more healthier production, with an analysis of milk produced at Park House, that Contains high levels of nutrients.

This year, the Farm is working with the apricot center, the Center for Farm and Regenerative Agriculture in Devon to hold courses.

Mark hopes that they will be able to hold about three courses during the year, each of which is up to 20 people.

“He is largely focused on 16 to 21-year-olds who are in college,” he says.

“But the first few courses are likely to be dominated by people in the industry to try to deal with what regenerative agriculture is and how it will affect their business.”

Mark says it is important that courses are not only attended by farmers but also people in the food industry to help spread the enthusiasm for regenerative agriculture.

“I think there is room for all types of farms, but I think we need to see a reduction in the amount of chemically enhanced food,” says Mark.

“We need to see a return to a more natural way to grow and produce.

“I think that the principles of agro environmental farming where you are dealing with nature should be accepted on board all.

“We cannot talk about sustainable farming in the UK because many, very few areas have soil that is able to maintain. You have to regenerate it. We have deteriorated our soil to the extent to which we need to regenerate before we can maintain. This is the conversation we have to make. ”