December 2022 - 18

Building Healthy Soils
Thoughts on regenerative agriculture
By William J. Lamont Jr.
Pennsylvania State University
Over the years regenerative agriculture
has been defined in many ways, and its
definition continues to evolve with time,
practices and research. The concept of
regenerative farming is not new and is
indeed centuries old.
In talking with growers and leaders in
the field of regenerative agriculture, I find
that there are many types of regenerative
farms, but they all seem to follow some
basic principles. They first seek to
minimize the disturbance of the soil. They
seek to focus on keeping the soil covered
with vegetation and natural materials
through mulching, cover crops and
pastures. Regenerative agriculture farmers
seek to increase plant diversity. This is an
essential component in building healthy
soils that retain excess water and nutrients
and is beneficial to wildlife and pollinators.
The farmers try to keep living roots in
the soil as much as possible to ensure that
fields are never bare.
This can be accomplished by farming
practices such as planting winter/summer
cover crops or having land in permanent
pasture. Keeping living roots in the soil
helps stabilize the soil, thus retaining excess
water and nutrient runoff. A final goal is to
integrate animals into the farm as much as
possible which may or may not be feasible
in many operations. Manure produced by
livestock can add valuable nutrients to the
soil, reducing the need for fertilizers, and
increasing soil organic matter. Healthy soils
capture large amounts of carbon and water
and reduce the amount of pollution.
So why is regenerative
agriculture important today?
Multiple studies have analyzed nutrient
data over the past 70 years and have found
a startling decline in the vitamin and
mineral content in fruits and vegetables. By
looking at data from the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, one study concluded
that since the 1950s, there has been a
decline in the amount of protein, calcium,
phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2)
and vitamin C in 43 varieties of vegetables
and fruits. The study's author, Dr. Donald
Davis, estimates that this is a direct result
of two factors:
* Breeding vegetables for parameters
such as size, growth rates and pest
resistance, and not being concerned
with nutrition and flavor; and
* The depletion of minerals in the
soils that most of our fruits and
vegetables are grown in.
Steve Groff, author of the popular book
" The Future-Proof Farm, " is considered
one of regenerative agriculture's original
innovators and a spokesman for the
system around the country and beyond.
18 | VegetableGrowersNews.com

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December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2022

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