In the modern world, we are constantly bombarded with information about how to eat healthy and stay fit. But what most of society doesn’t fully grasp is that what we eat also affects our health in more ways than one. What we put on our plates can have a lasting impact on our body’s ability to fight disease—and it all starts with soil.
Conventional topsoil is very depleted by industrial farming practices. The effect of this is that even most organic produce lacks nutrient density.
Our soils are lacking minerals we need to thrive. The mineral content of soil has been depleted by modern farming practices, such as intensive tilling, monoculture, and chemical fertilization. These practices cause soil degradation, which leads to the loss of nutrients in crops, even in organic agriculture. Because of this, organic cannot be trusted to mean nutritious. It takes seven organic oranges today to consume the same nourishment that our grandparents received from just one. The true measurement for produce quality lies in the soil it is grown in.
Regenerative soil farming is a holistic method of farming that can replenish the soil with vital nutrients.
Regenerative agriculture is a system of farming that seeks to regenerate soil health, promote biodiversity, and increase ecosystem resilience. It is a holistic approach that aims to create a self-sustaining system that benefits both the environment and the farmer.
The primary goal of regenerative agriculture is to improve soil health, as healthy soil is the foundation of any thriving ecosystem. Regenerative farmers achieve this by focusing on four key principles:
- Minimizing soil disturbance: This means avoiding practices that disturb the soil, such as tillage and heavy machinery. Instead, farmers use techniques such as cover cropping, intercropping, and reduced tillage to promote soil health.
- Maximizing soil cover: The more soil is covered with plants, the better. This helps to protect the soil from erosion, retain moisture, and promote nutrient cycling.
- Promoting biodiversity: By planting a variety of crops and promoting natural habitats, regenerative farmers create diverse ecosystems that support a wide range of plant and animal life.
- Integrating livestock: Livestock can play an important role in regenerative agriculture by helping to manage cover crops and contribute to soil health through manure and other waste products.
Regenerative agriculture has a number of benefits, both for the environment and for farmers. Here are just a few:
- Improved soil health: Regenerative practices help to build healthy, nutrient-rich soil that supports plant growth and biodiversity.
- Increased resilience: By promoting biodiversity and building healthy soil, regenerative agriculture helps to create more resilient ecosystems that can withstand extreme weather events and other challenges.
- Reduced reliance on inputs: Regenerative practices can help to reduce the need for expensive inputs such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which can save farmers money and reduce their environmental impact.
- Improved profitability: Regenerative practices can also help to increase yields and profitability over time, as healthy soil and diverse ecosystems support more productive and resilient crops.
Good health depends on getting sufficient vitamins and minerals in your diet, which depends on nutrient-rich soil.
The quality of our food is important for good health. Yet conventional agriculture depletes the soil of nutrients that plants need to grow and thrive, resulting in produce that’s less nutritious than it could be.
Many people assume that organic produce has higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients than conventionally grown foods do—but this isn’t necessarily true. Organic farming methods don’t necessarily increase the nutrient content of produce; they just reduce the amount of pesticides used by farmers. This can make organic produce healthier for you when compared to conventionally farmed fruits and vegetables, but unless those crops are grown in nutrient-rich soil (and most aren’t), it won’t make them any more nutritious overall than their nonorganic counterparts.
