Regenerative Agriculture
Protecting wild & working lands in Southern Wisconsin.
Photo: Happy cows thriving on regenerative pastures at Riemer Family Farm in Wisconsin. Photo credit: Jen Riemer
Growing a Greener Future
Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming that focuses on restoring and revitalizing ecosystems while continuing to produce food and other agricultural products. It is a holistic approach that aims to improve soil health, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem resilience while in turn providing communities with healthier food, cleaner air and water. Remarkably, recent studies have shown that regenerative practices like Adaptive Multi- paddock Grazing (AMP) may not only have the power to mitigate climate change, but reverse it.
SWLC works with landowners seeking to evolve their working farms to adopt regenerative farming practices – creating working farms that are both economically and environmentally viable.
Why Convert to Regenerative Practices?
Lower Input Costs
-Natural pest control through the presence of beneficial insects and birds means reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides
-No-till farming methods lower fuel and equipment costs
Increased Crop Yields
-Enhanced soil fertility leads to increased crop yields over time
-No-till methods allow farmers to plant earlier in the season, resulting in earlier harvests and potentially higher yields
Increased Resilience
-Reduced erosion and soil degradation preserves the long-term productivity of the land and reduces the risk of soil exhaustion
-Better water retention in soil reduces the impact of droughts and floods
Diversified Income Streams
-Via the sale of organic or sustainably grown products, which often command premium prices
-Via the potential to earn extra income from carbon credits or other ecosystem service payments
Reduced Labor
-Healthy soil retains soil moisture by reducing evaporation and runoff, reducing the need for irrigation.
-No-till methods eliminate the need to plow, reduce seedbed prep and simplify machinery
Improved Animal Welfare
-Allowing livestock to graze on grassy pastures via AMP Grazing leads to healthier soil, happier animals and better quality products
Enhanced Reputation
-Regenerative farming demonstrates commitment to environmental stewardship, which can improve a farm's reputation and marketability
For questions about regenerative farming, or for assistance converting your working farm to adopt regenerative practices, send an email to our Executive Director at aelswann@gmail.com.