Regenerative Agriculture
Where Conservation meets Farming
Regenerative Agriculture is a system of farming principles and practices that increases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves watersheds, and enhances ecosystem services.
Click below to see how we integrate these practices at Blackbird Creek Farm
So... Are you totally "geeked out"?
We know the feeling.
These practices, mentioned above, allow the farm to work in tandem with the native ecosystem. Making it ecologically sound as well as economically viable by mitigating risks. And even though we would love to focus wholly on the ecological part, the economics are just as important.
If this system truly is a good way to make a living and support a family, then more and more farmers can make the transition to this way of farming. God has only given us this one earth and has tasked all of us with taking care of it to hand down to future generations. We believe it is our duty to leave this land better than how we found it, and one way to accomplish this is through regenerative agriculture.
If you would like to learn more please contact us. We love to talk about what we are currently doing on the farm and why we decided to do this type of farming.
Below, we have compiled a short list of some of our favorite resources on regenerative agriculture and natural ways of living.
Regenerative Agriculture - Further Reading
Why have a doctor at the top of the list? Well, Dr. Lori is a Naturopathic Doctor, in Marysville Ohio, who is dedicated to helping people achieve their health goals. Lori adheres to authentic Traditional Naturopathy in which she strives to assist in the natural innate healing processes of the body. By way of this, Lori walks the path with her clients in ongoing self-work needed for the maintenance of vital health. Dr. Lori believes in the healing power that God, our supreme creator, has bestowed upon us and within Nature. This healing power expresses itself with the highest vitality when we follow Nature's Divine Laws and create the most optimal environment for our body as a temple to thrive.
Dr. Lori has done so much for Amber, by helping her to restore her body to full vitality and health after a prolonged period of illness where traditional medical professionals were unable to assist her. We cannot recommend her highly enough to our local community!
Seed Time is a garden planner and calendar for home gardeners as well as market gardeners and farmers. It is a very powerful tool that helps immensely with not only planting, but reminding gardeners each week of the appropriate tasks to preform. They have an online classroom built into the program as well so if you are unsure of how to do something, they walk you through the step by step process.
This is by far one of Amber's favorite resources. Dr Zach Bush has created a non-profit organization to help large scale (think thousands of acres) farmers across the United States transition from chemical agriculture to a regenerative agriculture model. He does this in a most practical way, not just through education, but through supporting these farmers economically throughout this transition. Take some time to read through their case stories and see the incredible results of their efforts.
Mark Shepard was our first introduction to this system of farming over nine years ago. He continues to inspire thousands of farmers around the globe to transform large scale chemical agriculture into diverse and profitable operations.
"Restoration agriculture isn’t about restoring ‘historical’ plant species but instead presents an opportunity to farm in nature’s image while producing recognizable, marketable products with large, consistent markets."
"What we need is food grown with care, by and for people who care." -J. M. Fortier
Many of the same principles we use in our market gardens at Blackbird Creek Farm are copied from The Market Gardener.
Richard Perkins demonstrates how a farm can transition to these methods and how diversity is really the key to success. His model of restoration agriculture is one that we strive to emulate at Blackbird Creek Farm.
Dr. John D. Lui has been a champion of large scale ecosystem restoration for decades.
"The restoration work at camps draws carbon down and cools the surface temperature of the earth, thereby fighting climate change. Restoring degraded land also increases local biodiversity, restores water-systems, and improves food-security and local livelihoods. It is empowering to know that you, as an individual, can have such a significant impact through the simple act of working together to build biologically diverse, life-supporting ecosystems."
If you want to become part of this growing movement, consider purchasing from our farm, where you can be proud of the food you eat, knowing it is helping to change the world one bite at a time.