One of our main tenets of regenerative farming is our commitment to no-till practices. No-till farming is a practice that involves planting crops without disturbing the soil. This practice has gained popularity in recent years as part of the regenerative farming movement due to its many benefits for the soil, environment, and farming operations.
One of the main benefits of no-till is that it helps to build healthy topsoil. When soil is disturbed through tilling, it breaks apart the soil structure, severely disrupting soil microbiology and often creating erosion. No-till practices preserve the protective armor of the soil, which helps to improve soil health and fertility. The undisturbed soil also retains more moisture, which reduces the need for irrigation and reduces runoff and water pollution.
Another benefit of no-till is that it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional tilling practices release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. By leaving the soil intact, we are able to promote carbon sequestration in the soil, reducing emissions and improving soil health.
No-till methods also help us support our regenerative farming method that completely avoids the use of pesticides and fertilizers – other than the natural fertilizers produced by our animals. When soil is disturbed, it can expose weed seeds, which can lead to increased weed growth. By avoiding tilling, we can help to reduce weed growth, which reduces the need for herbicides.
Our commitment to no-till farming is an important value to our regenerative farm due to its many benefits for the soil and environment. By preserving the natural structure of the soil, our no-till farming methods help us to improve our soil’s health and fertility, sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and eliminate any need for pesticides and fertilizers.