Working in perfect harmony with nature

Due to the steady decline of our natural resources, it has become more important than ever before to shift the way in which we think about things like food and how our essential fruits and vegetables are grown. Fortunately, regenerative agriculture could be how we can transform the earth and grow all of the ingredients we need for the best healthy food. If you would like to learn more about the key principles of this new method of farming, then read on.

Increasing diversity on farms

One of the core beliefs held by farmers who practise regenerative agriculture is that each plot of land should sustain and encourage diversity in nature. To achieve this, farmers are incredibly conscious of the types of crops they plant in a specific plot of land. Each plant releases a different variety of carbohydrates from their roots, which allows for a diversified species of micro-organisms to become prevalent in the soil. These organisms add nutrients to the plant, therefore, it is key to ensure that plants are rotated to ensure that the diversity of the soil is maximized. For this reason, farmers may plant cauliflower, for example, on a plot of land during one season and cabbage during the next. This will ensure that the soil is enriched and the plants that are grown in the soil are as healthy as possible.

Conservative tilling

When you tuck into the vegetables that have been included in your favourite Asian cuisine, the chances are high that you have not put much thought about the soil that your food has been grown in. When fields are ploughed and tilled in a conventional manner, the soil will eventually be eroded to a level that is beyond repair. In addition to that, large amounts of carbon dioxide will be released into the environment that will eventually contribute towards the looming global warming problem. The farmers who practise regenerative agriculture principles are aware of the effects that ploughing has on the environment, which is why they aim to process their soil in a manner that does not impact the earth. To ensure that there is as little disturbance to the soil as possible, these farmers will often adopt a no or low-till policy. This means that the soil will not be processed to such an extreme degree when new crops are planted.

The importance of cover crops and rotation

In addition to growing the highest quality fruits and vegetables, farmers who make use of regenerative agriculture principles also believe that it is essential to make a positive impact on the earth. If soil is left exposed, there is an incredibly high chance that the soil will erode over time. To ensure that this does not happen, farmers have a number of strategies that can be implemented. The first thing that they will typically do is ensure that they vary the crops that are planted on a plot of land each season. If they are not planning on using a piece of land, they will plant a cover crop like lucerne. This keeps the soil protected while also providing a convenient food source for livestock. When you tuck into a delicious plate of your favourite vegetarian dish, you do not want to be consuming any other unnecessary chemicals. Farmers who believe in regenerative agriculture understand the importance of this, which is why they seek to grow all of their fruits and vegetables without the addition of any chemicals or pesticides. Therefore, their food will not cause the environment or the consumer any harm.