July/August 2021 - 23

Using funds from the Western SARE
Farmer/Rancher grant, we conducted a
two-year study to explore the value of
animals in crop production rotations as
well as ways in which small and large
farms can work collaboratively. Due to
food safety concerns and competitive
markets, it is hard to run a mixed
operation of both animals and crops,
however, it may be possible for dairies/
ranches and crop farmers to work
together synergistically. I wanted to
know if a " golden hoof " effect in Pacific
Northwest (PNW) agricultural
soils
could influence soil health in potato
systems, which could have implications
for production on both sides of the
state. Furthermore, it was important to
document that the presence of sheep
on the land would not exacerbate any
serious soilborne disease issues for
potato growers.
Working with the Cornell Soil Health
Lab's Comprehensive Analysis of Soil
Health (CASH) we analyzed pasture
plots that were the same soil type,
but varied in sheep grazing duration
from eight, four and two years; what
we discovered is interesting. Based
on this preliminary data, it appears
pasture
rotations/sheep grazing can
improve several aspects of soil health as
determined by direct and indirect CASH
measurement which includes percent
organic matter, aggregate stability and
soil proteins - a measure of organically
bound nitrogen (N) in the soil organic
matter. Soil health indicators subtly
increased with increasing sheep grazing
durations across sites.
It does not appear - from our onfarm
field and greenhouse studies -
that sheep grazing rotations increased
the incidence or severity of soilborne
potato pathogens. However, a more
robust, long-term study is needed as
well as experimentation with alternative
pasture species combinations.
Through this work, it is curious to
see how soil health improvements are
possible across land-use histories. Our
farm's pasture, with a history of eight
years of continuous sheep grazing,
had the highest soil quality rating
(91/100, as determined by CASH
rating system). While the neighboring
pasture fields with a more recent
history of potato production still had
a relatively high rating (81-85/100),
there is room for improvement.
Ultimately, this is what
regenerative agriculture is about -
the continued striving towards a
balanced, agroecological system.
Farmers need to consistently assess
their regenerative practices in order
to make agriculture as sustainable as
possible across scales of production. It
is not a destination, but a practice.
And when we discuss regenerative
agriculture, we have to talk about
relationships. This project made this
clear. While land sharing between large,
multigenerational farms is a common
practice in the Skagit Valley farming
region, transitions across generations
and between large and small, old
and new farms, is less common and
reporting is limited. According to Hills
et. al (2019), there are many barriers
right now to improving soil health in
PNW potato systems, including the
need for intensive tillage, important
tuber quality, limited crop residue
left on fields and compaction. Animal
rotations might be a viable solution,
but like many idealized regenerative
practices
the
right
relationships
are needed to actually make these
practices practical, both logistically
and economically. Components
like
proper fencing, lease durations, and
rotation timing all have to be taken into
consideration to guarantee success.
This project documents a viable,
short-term exchange of land and
ideas between two very different farm
systems. The human capital here is
key and will continue to develop and
deepen over time, ideally.
For our farm, access to land is
necessary for reducing feed costs, raising
healthy animals, and staying financially
viable. For our neighbors, affordable and
easeful amendments are essential for
long-term soil quality and productivity.
Regenerative
relationships,
that
are
mutually beneficial, will ensure that
agricultural systems can continue to
thrive and evolve to meet the social and
environmental demands of the future.
- Jessica Gigot is a farmer, writer and
teacher. She runs a small, sheep creamery
called Harmony Fields in the Skagit Valley
with her husband and two daughters.
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23
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July/August 2021

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