Business Banking Officer, VPFargo – Urban Plains2754 Brandt Drive South, FargoPhone: 701-281-5600Email: gregs@starionbank.com
Any seasoned farmer or rancher knows how much their world has changed in the last few decades. Markets are more volatile. Equipment and treatment prices cost more. Profit margins are slimmer.
It’s created a perfect storm of debt leverage and consolidation. Family farms and ranches are quickly disappearing instead of passing on to the next generation.
The good news is there is a growing movement to reverse this trend. More and more producers are focusing on building up their soil health, and thus yields, using natural means rather than expensive chemical treatments. The practice, often referred to as holistic or regenerative agriculture, shows encouraging results for increasing yields while lowering input costs.
If you’ve wondered about moving towards a more regenerative operation, but have a lot of questions, you’re not alone. Here’s a quick primer to get you started.
What mindset does a producer need to begin making changes?
One of the most difficult transitions is to move away from the mindset of simply reacting to financial challenges, and instead concentrate on quality of life, profitability, and sustainability.
This leads to rethinking some of the common wisdom that has developed over the years, such as:
- Soil is the most important asset of your operation, and will help drive your profits
- Match your crops/livestock to the soil instead of the other way around.
- Your operation is unique. What works for your neighbor might not work for you.
- What worked historically may not work going forward. Be willing to change.
- Choosing goals and working towards them is better than reacting to challenges as they happen.
How do regenerative producers tackle challenges?
Of course, challenges will come up no matter what kind of producer you are. However, the regenerative approach offers many tools, techniques, and strategies to help handle these challenges.
If you’re exhausted by the time spent chasing temporary solutions, these tools and techniques will open up opportunities and flexibility to find the root causes and address them there.
How does this affect food supply and local economies?
Agriculture will always be vital to putting food on the tables of our families across the country. It’s also a foundation for healthy rural families, communities, and economies. Regenerative agriculture brings these into an even sharper focus and helps to reconnect our communities with the nutritious products grown by farmers and ranchers, contributing to a happier and healthier society.
