"Of the many epic challenges that climate change is bringing to humankind, one of the most significant is surely the need to reinvent agriculture.
Can the world’s farmers find a way to shift from large-scale, carbon-intensive industrial farming that is destroying soil and ecosystems to smaller-scale bioregional systems that not only respect nature but regenerate it?
Can we invent systems that grow enough nutritious food, distribute it fairly to all, and remake agriculture as a decentralized, place-respecting enterprise?
At this point in the unfolding climate catastrophe, these ambitions are not simply a nice fantasy to ponder. They are existential necessities. If humankind is going to avoid fatal disruptions to the planet’s ecosystems and civilization itself, agriculture must find ways to pursue some radical shifts.
In the short term, the top imperative must be new strategies for adapting to climate change: new cultivation practices, new crop choices, holistic commitments. Over the longer term, the art of farming must reintegrate itself with local ecosystems and the biosphere. Agriculture must do more than “sustain” an already degraded landscape. It must understand and improve the generativity of life itself.
Regeneration is not simply a set of techniques. It is a mindset and worldview. It is a deep priority and commitment. Regenerative agriculture is not only about improving crop yields and reducing harmful ecological impacts. It is about bringing new vigor to biogeoecological systems while enlivening us as humans.
The focus is not on beggar-thy-neighbor competition and market success that tends toward economic consolidation; it is about cooperative stewardship of dispersed, autonomous systems on a holistic scale. Everyone can flourish together."
Tag: stewardship
Celebrating Sconnie: Instilling an inclusive love of place
Although I've studied Spanish (on and off, ahem) since high school, only this year did I learn the powerful word, querencia. From the word querer, which means 'to want' or 'to love', querencia translates as 'fondness'. However, it's also a deeper concept, one with no English translation; a concept of belonging, a love of home, … Continue reading Celebrating Sconnie: Instilling an inclusive love of place
Farmland access: key to flourishing organic food system in Wisconsin
Did you know Wisconsin is second in the nation for total number of organic farms? Only California has more. Yet, due to rising cost of land, new farmers struggle to get into the business and growth of existing farms is limited. Organic farms use more human-scale, sustainable growing methods which build healthier soils. In turn, … Continue reading Farmland access: key to flourishing organic food system in Wisconsin
With farmland selling at record prices, next-generation farmers need our help
Two articles came up in my newsfeed this week: One from The New York Times - Farmland Values Hit Record Highs, Pricing Out Farmers and from local news in Iowa - Record price for Iowa farmland now $30,000 an acre Let's pause to let that sink in. This record comes on the heels of the … Continue reading With farmland selling at record prices, next-generation farmers need our help
New regenerative ag videos for chilly weather
When you need an excuse to stay inside and on the couch, you can say it's for educational purposes when you're watching these new regenerative agriculture videos, just published. First up: FoxRAP's Listen to the Land Community Story Project, where we get to know our local farmers who grow our food, steward the land, and … Continue reading New regenerative ag videos for chilly weather
5 uses for fall leaves on your land
Somewhere we Wisconsinites were taught that leaves are enemies to banish from the landscape. We spend much time and effort on this endeavor. In reality, fall leaves are incredibly beneficial for our land, gardens, even livestock. They're full of carbon [plant food] and minerals drawn up from deep in the earth by the tree roots. … Continue reading 5 uses for fall leaves on your land
Land stewardship for wildlife habitat
Author's note: FoxRAP is an agricultural organization, and our resources are often designed for farmers. But many of those resources, including the ones we're sharing here today, can be applied on non-farm land, even in an urban backyard. We believe everyone is a land steward and we strive to support stewards of all sizes. If … Continue reading Land stewardship for wildlife habitat
Green Lake Conservation Field Day this Saturday
Celebrate National Water Quality month and visit FoxRAP at the Conservation Field Day hosted by the Green Lake Association and Green Lake County Farm Bureau. Our friends, Farm Bureau's Pete Badtke and GLA's Stephanie Prellwitz explain it all on WFRV in Green Bay. The details: Albright Family Farm Aug 20, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM … Continue reading Green Lake Conservation Field Day this Saturday
August is National Water Quality Month. How to celebrate? Embrace the wetland.
Despite residing in Green Lake for nearly 3 years, I'd never been to the Norwegian Bay Wetlands on Big Green Lake. So this year, when Water Quality Month rolled around, I decided enough is enough. Tuesday at 1:14pm is as good a time as any. I packed the kids, the snacks, and a water bottle … Continue reading August is National Water Quality Month. How to celebrate? Embrace the wetland.
FoxRAP Response to Skunk Hollow Quarry
Green Lake County recently approved a non-metallic mine on farmland near Big Green Lake, Mitchell Glen, Dakin Creek and White Creek. Read our organization's letter to Green Lake County Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee here. Photo: Mitchell Glen. Courtesy of Green Lake Sanitary District.