REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE , UTOPIA,ONTARIO

REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE , UTOPIA

In early November under the outstanding leadership of Shannon Stephens from Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, I had the opportunity to help with the broadcasting of native flora and native grasses, including milkweed seeds on an experimental regenerative farm in Utopia, Ontario.

Shannon informed us when the owners of the farmland first decided the land could be used to experiment with Regenerative ag best practice, the soil was analyzed and they discovered only 6 earthworms had managed to survive in the chemical fertilizer /pesticide drenched soil.

Shannon informed us that the bucket full of native seeds was valued at over $2, 000!

The reason we planted native flora was to provide a food source for our precious pollinators responsible for every 1/3 mouthful of food we eat every day.

Future tall prairie grasses and flora would also provide seeds and shelter for our feathered friends responsible for 92% of our forest regeneration, including 182 edible species.

Increasing meadow- like green spaces is of utmost importance as we have seen a decline in grassland birds since the 1970’s.

Native seeds were chosen as they have had thousands of years to adapt to local conditions and interact with local flora and fauna.

Native plants are extremely hardy, drought tolerant, pest resistant, frost resistand and best of all they develop long roots which help hold soil in place and resist erosion.

Another, extremely important reason for creating meadow like areas brimming with tall native grasses and pollinating flowers is the fact recent research indicates grassland meadow are a more reliable carbon sink than trees.

Unfortunately during forest fires which hare increasing at an alarming rate carbon is released into the atmosphere.

Whereas, in grassland fires the carbon stays in the roots and soil.

PRINCIPLES OF REGENERATIVE FARMING

The goal of regenerative ag is a farming practice with the

commendable goal of not only reducing

climate change but actually reversing it.

Their practices focus on 1. building high-quality soil 2. retaining

rainwater 3. improving the water cycle 4. increasing biodiversity,

5. promoting animal and human welfare.

Carbon sustains ALL life.

The farmers work in sync with CARBON.

Carbon is the building block of our food.

Carbohydrates, fats, and would not exist without carbon.

Plants take carbon from the atmosphere and the soil to grow and

produce nutrients.

Carbon rich soil nourishes plants.
Carbon rich soil creates resilient soil tthat can retain water during periods of drought.
Carbon rich soil does not erode as quickly.
Carbon rich soil provides needed nutrition for all growing plants.

Unfortunately, when carbon is released into the atmosphere it

produces green house gases and too much directly impacts global

overheating and climate chaos.

So regenerative farmers are employing carbon sequestering

techniques where carbon is pulled out of the air and transferring

it to so the soil.

By carbon sequestering the farmers not only feed the soil but help

reduce GHGs.

TECHNIQUES OF REGENRATIVE FARMING

NO-TILL FARMING

Tilling is performed before planting to break down weeds and mix organic material back into the soil.

However tilling releases carbon from the soil into the atmosphere.

Farmers practice minimal or no tilling so carbon is left in the soil

thus enriching it and reducing GHGs.

COMPOSTING

Some compost like trees fall and manure already occurring on

Compost can be created from animal, plant, and food waste.

By using compost the farmers reduces his need for chemical
farms can be used without too much manipulation.
fertilizers which produce GHGs e when manufactured.

As well composting materials that end up in landfill sites creates

methane gas which is 40% more powerful than CO2 in keeping the

sun’s rays from escaping back into the atmosphere.

There are about 100 items that can be composted.

It is estimated a 40% of all methane gas in the environment

actually originates from landfill sites.

This can be totally prevented if everyone did their bid to compost.

BIOCHAR

This is a very old 2, 000 year practice.

It originated in the Amazon rain forest.

Organic materials like laves and branches burn in an oxygen free -

environment.

The black, fertile substance formed is rich in CARBON.

The biochar is also highly porous which means the soil can more

easily retain nutrients and water.

This biochar is then added to existing soil.

The benefits are outstanding – no chemical fertilizers needed, no

manipulation of the soil, and no carbon dioxide is produced!

PERENNIAL CROPS

Perennial crops survive all year round.

They develop thick and intricate root systems that will retain

rainwater. Many farmers will use perennial crops as cover crops

between growing seasons.

Perennial crops help to create biodiversity on the farm.

AGROFORESTRY

Farmers use trees to play an important role in regenerative farming.

A farmer may plant a row of trees between crops.

I observed an a couple of rows of trees at the acreage in Utopia

and wondered why a farmer would plant trees in his field for crops.

They may plant a woodland in pastures to provide shade, shelter

protection for livestock, as well as, shelter and food sources for

birds which play an important role in pest control for fruit orchards.

Trees will help with the following-

reduce GHGs
sequester carbon helping to reduce GHGs
improve water quality
1 large trees provides enough oxygen for 4 people
roots of mature trees hold staggering amounts of water during flooding
the seeds from a variety of trees help increase the biodiversity of the area
-one large tree can lift 100 gallons of water from the ground and discharge it into the air
some trees absorb nitrogen from the air and make it available to plants and also the leaves and wood decompose to make fertile
trees absorb nasty pollutants from the air
trees in fields shield against wind and help protect crops
trees intercept rainfall and reduce run-off