We've already watched Roots so deep.

I know there are some of the more pop culture ones like kiss the ground and dirt the movie but if there was something a little bit more in depth that would be more what I'm looking for than the surface level intro

So like one with specific subject matter within the Regen ag sphere. Not an intro to soils and how to heal them

Hello 👋

Several regenerative ag practitioners are looking for more peers to connect with.

We are a community of practice. We are professionals and hobbyists who regenerate soil and ecosystems, or support those who do through our work.

Unlike other online communities, our group is focused on forming long-term supportive relationships amongst peers. Those of us who are active have been with each other for several months. Our server has a growing set of incentives to encourage participation and to help keep our community more private and comfortable for discussion.

We are inclusive of all regenerative methods and perspectives. We welcome all people who are respectful of other people and ways of life. Our group upholds no way as the "right way." We are just peers looking to connect as we work on our regenerative endeavors.

Our community is democratic. We regularly welcome and ask for input. We will elect another moderator, and we will add term-limits for both admins and moderators, when our group grows more.

We are quite small, but our group is supportive and here for the long haul. If you are interested in online relationships with peers, we would love to meet you!

You can join our discord community using this link: https://discord.gg/DNH834xXZg

You can learn more about our community on our website: https://RegenAgCoop.org

We hope to meet you soon! 💞

I'm thinking of interning/working at a regenerative farm this summer. Should I? I'm studying environmental science in college, and this summer is between freshman and sophomore year. If I were to do this, what would I be doing realistically? Is it worth it?

I have a background in ecology, and I’ve always thought food systems were really intriguing. I don’t have any experience in this world, but I feel like it’s the biggest challenge of humankind. Itching to learn more.

What are your favorite resources on Regen Ag? Textbooks, studies, videos, documentaries, etc? I wanna dive in!

You: "I'm into regenerative ag."

Them: "So... you grow things without chemicals?"

You: Internally screaming as they’ve missed the whole point of soil health, biodiversity, and holistic grazing.

Let's start a petition to get "soil health" printed on T-shirts for clarity!

Who's with me?

You know you're deep into regenerative ag when you get a soil test back and it looks like an ancient scroll of doom. "Ah yes, nitrogen imbalance, calcium deficiency, and a touch of lead—just what I needed!" Meanwhile, the conventional farm down the road is still out there spraying Roundup like it's a weekend hobby. Anyone else feel like you’re in a battle against time and toxic fertilizers?

Hi, I've recently purchased a field with some older growth blackcurrant bushes on it. Most of these I intend to mulch with a flail mower or mulcher and leave the mulched remains to rot for a year or so prior to planting grape vines and raspberries in rows.

My question is, will the mulch retain any diseases the bushes carry? And would it be worth sowing a cover crop like buckwheat over the top?

Part of the fields will be used for pasture, some will become a garden and the rest will go to fruit growing.

Edit blackcurrants!

Sage Regenerative Kitchen seemed like a regen ag success story in the making. As I understand it, a vegan farmer/chef/owner realized the value of integrating livestock on her regen farm, saw the animals had a great life and it was great for the soil and the environment, changed her mind about veganism, and tried to convert/rebrand her successful vegan restaurant chain into a regen ag chain with both meat and vegan options. But now it seems her vegan customer base was just to doctrinaire to handle their beloved restaurant adding humane regeneratively raised meat options and roasted the restaurants in online reviews. Bummer. I don't blame hardline vegan folks for abandoning a restaurant that's no longer 100% vegan, I'm just bummed the rebranded restaurants weren't able to find success with their new format.

https://www.sfgate.com/la/article/sage-vegan-closing-over-meat-la-20013880.php

Hi all,
I would love to know if there are any regenerative farms in the south of Sweden, particularly in the Skåne area. So far the only regenerative farm I have heard about in Sweden is Richard Perkin's farm, Ridgedale. Which other regenerative farms are known in Sweden, and are there any in the south?

Zone 6. Recently changed from zone 5 (yay climate change)

I'm working for a government agency trying to to start a demonstration farm for no till, cover cropping, row farming methods.

When I signed on in November they had already planted rye. I would have liked to have paired it with a legume but oh well.

So I'm trying to look in to interseeding a legume in the spring. Right now my options I'm looking at is frost seeding red and sweet clover or drilling in field/winter peas.

I can find evidence of frost seeding clover in this system, but don't love that option because clover won't crimp kill with the rye and will need to be sprayed with herbicide

It looks like I should be able to plant field peas as early as late March but I'm concerned about the rye taking off and smothering out the peas so I don't get much out of them. Keystone winter peas look promising because they are said to "start fast" but I'm not sure I can find examples of this being done in practice.

An important aspect of this project is that we are NOT experimenting. We are trying to demonstrate at the edge of existing practices. So we want to be out their, but only so far as people have gone before.

Any citable sources to go along with this are very helpful.

It might end up just being best to not do any legume and maybe spreading some sort of fertilizer to help the rye debris breakdown. And FYI we will be following the rye and possible legume with a midsummer cover crop mix of sorghum Sudan grass, sunn hemp, radish and sunflower.

Edit: in case it's not clear I'm looking for specific help with a very specific problem. I already have the rye without any legume planted with it I would like to plant a legume that can crimp kill into the rye in the spring. Frost seeding clover is an option where I can see evidence of people having done it before but I would need to use herbicide to kill the clover. So I was thinking of using field peas but I'm worried they won't be shade tolerant enough and they just won't do anything. I have been looking into common vetch which looks more promising due to its shade tolerance.

I'm looking to see if anybody has any specific experience with this exact problem. I don't need a general intro course on cover crops.

Have you ever tried spring planting peas or veg into fall planted rye?

The more time I spend learning about this plant, the more I am blown away by its abilities. This is some info I have put together on this plant.

When you see plantain growing in your fields, it's telling you something important about your soil. This plant is like a natural soil doctor, diagnosing and treating problems below ground. Here's what makes plantain special:

In Compacted Soil

Plantain thrives where other plants struggle because it's actively fixing the problem. Its roots break up compacted soil, while its natural compounds help rebuild soil structure. When you see plantain in compacted areas, it's already working to repair your soil.

In Poor or Damaged Soil

The plant produces different healing compounds based on what your soil needs. If your soil is lacking minerals, plantain will develop stronger mineral-pulling abilities. In polluted soils, it increases its cleaning compounds. It's like having a soil technician who knows exactly what treatment to apply.

Working With Plantain's Schedule

Just like there are best times to plant and harvest crops, there are optimal times to work with plantain:

Best Collection Times

Early morning (4:30-6:00 AM) is when plantain is strongest. This isn't just old farmers' wisdom – it's when the plant's helpful compounds are most concentrated. If you can't make the early morning timing, aim to harvest before the day heats up.

Seasonal Timing

Spring: Best for soil activation and growth stimulation Summer: Ideal for soil building and strengthening Fall: Perfect for soil stabilization before winter Winter: Plant goes dormant but roots continue soil work

Practical Uses on Your Farm

For Soil Improvement

1. Let plantain grow in troubled areas of your fields. It's actually fixing problems, not causing them.
2. When breaking new ground or recovering old fields, encourage plantain growth for the first season.
3. Use plantain as part of your crop rotation to rebuild soil between demanding crops.

With Other Crops

Plantain works well with many common crops:

• Plant it along field edges to prevent soil compaction
• Use it in walkways between rows to maintain soil structure
• Let it grow under fruit trees to improve soil health

Making Plantain Soil Treatment

To make a soil-enriching treatment from plantain:

1. Collect plants in early morning when dew is still present
2. Chop entire plants (roots and all) into small pieces
3. Mix with water (about 1 part plant to 10 parts water)
4. Let sit for 2-3 weeks, stirring occasionally
5. Use the liquid to water problem soil areas

Signs It's Working

When plantain is improving your soil, you'll notice:

• Soil becomes darker and crumblier
• Earthworms become more numerous
• Water absorption improves
• Neighboring plants show stronger growth

Regional Considerations

In Dry Areas

• Plantain will grow smaller but develops stronger soil-healing properties
• Focus on morning collection when plants are moisture-rich
• Use more water when making soil treatments

In Wet Areas

• Plants grow larger with softer leaves
• Reduce water in treatments to account for natural moisture
• Watch for stronger growth in spring and fall

Problem-Solving Guide

Common Challenges

If plantain isn't growing well:

• Soil might be too toxic - start with small patches and expand gradually
• pH might be extremely off - add organic matter to help balance
• Ground might be too compacted - break surface slightly to help establishment

Improving Results

• Encourage diverse plantain patches rather than single plants
• Allow some plants to go to seed for natural spreading
• Don't remove all plants when harvesting - leave some to maintain the soil benefits

Working with Nature's Calendar

Plantain gives clear signals about weather and soil conditions:

Weather Signs

• Leaves folding up: Rain within 2-3 days
• Stronger morning scent: Pressure changes coming
• Rapid new growth: Extended wet period ahead

Soil Signs

• Very small leaves: Soil needs minerals
• Extra broad leaves: Good organic matter present
• Deep green color: Nitrogen levels good

Long-term Benefits

When you work with plantain as a soil improver, expect:

• Better water retention in your soil
• Improved nutrient availability for crops
• More resilient soil structure
• Stronger natural pest resistance
• Enhanced soil microbial life

Remember, plantain isn't just a weed - it's a natural tool for better farming. By understanding and working with this plant, you're tapping into an ancient system of soil improvement that's been proven over generations. Give it time, observe its effects, and let this natural soil doctor help heal and strengthen your land.

The best part? It's free, it's already growing on your farm, and it works while you sleep. That's the kind of farm helper we all need.

How do you use it?

Something I've been struggling to find good answers to- the main argument against RA is "it's not scalable" since it takes 1-5 acres of grass per cow, and that we couldn't feed the US on RA raised meat. While CAFO's appear to house tons of cows on a few acres, estimates are between 2-3 acres of corn and soy per cow. This means it's an average of 3 vs. 2.5 acres per cow between RA and CAFOs. So it seems the direct land requirements are comparable?

Obviously it would take time to get the current corn and soy fields to a place where they can grow grazing crops, but given that we can also use this land to house chickens/ducks, allow wildlife to coexist, and even live on the farms themselves which we obviously can't do in intensive corn/soy fields or anywhere near CAFO's then isn't the land requirements for RA pretty comparable?

Any resources on the topic would be appreciated too!

I have been applying for jobs in regen (mainly with regen cpg brands) and have been having conversations with people in the industry for probably 6 months. It is proving difficult…..Or maybe it is just the market right now? Seems like these companies operate on small budgets with incredibly lean teams? I have been told to offer up free work for a brand and another person told me to put my resume and skills on one of those contract employee / hourly work websites. I am a full time employee elsewhere and can’t do that. Also, just a disclaimer, we have a family ranch turned regen so I am fully bought into this movement.

Does anyone have any advice on how to land a job in this space?

Wondering if anyone has had an experience where they'd wanted to get a regenerative certification label, but their operation might take a significant hit in doing so. Or if you've done it, have you found it's helped?

This made me SO angry. And all the commenters could talk about was eating less meat (not that that’s a bad thought. The argument that regenerative ag requires more land is quite the lie. Feels like this journalist is a shill for the industry.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/opinion/food-agriculture-factory-farms-climate-change.html

Are you planting anything?

Zone 6. close to 5

I have winter rye in right now. Thinking about frost seeding red clover. Will be crimping rye and likely chemical termination of clover.

So it seems Sorghum Sudan grass is the king of biomass and carbon is a top concern. Field is also very compacted and has plating

I want a very diverse cohort but need a strategic plan for mowing or other management and killing for the winter and then how to keep the field over winter including kill for spring 2026.

I'll say this is a Government program for demonstrating regenerative principles so I can not tell you what will be growing in the 2026 season. That is not in the scope of my assignment.

We want to be on the edge of demonstration for regenerative practices but not researching or experimenting. So I'm willing to be out there a bit but it needs to be proven efficacy.

Thanks for your help

Does anyone have recommendations on books for designing silviopasture specifically for goats? I want to raise a few milk goats in a regenerative style by planting trees and grazing in my yard. I was wondering if such a book exist.

Could anyone give me info about tis certification? Is it value for money ? Is education provided useful in the context of European clinics ?

I know there’s a lot of brands that say they’re regenerative, but how do you know if they really are? Are there certain brands with better practices than others?

I’d be curious to hear what people think about this film. It is free to watch for the next 3 days.

https://grow.foodrevolution.org/screening/?registrationId=06235173-f374-4431-a2d2-5c40799b0b25&frn_source=sfmc&frn_medium=email-sal&frn_campaign=tntg&frn_content=welcome-screening-registrants-(all)-202407

Howdy I am relatively new to the broad concept of regenerative agriculture, and I am specifically interested in how animal husbandry and ranch management play into it. I have read and am reading books by folks like Will Harris, Gabe Brown, David Montgomery and others.

I have a background of marketing and while watching a live football game there was a Tyson chicken ad. The ad went something like “it’s always been Tyson Chicken” (see ad here: https://youtu.be/LH-TJvy5GBM?feature=shared ) I found this extremely interesting, specifically because it increases the already massive disconnect between farmers and the consumer.

I would love to know folks first response to hearing this commercial :)

Here are some interesting points from the article.

•  Comfrey's Deep Roots: Comfrey has a remarkable ability to accumulate nutrients from subsoil layers, making them available to other plants. Its deep roots can mine nutrients from depths that other plants cannot reach, making it an excellent companion plant for fruit trees, berries, and nitrogen-fixing plants.
•  Comfrey's Nutritional Powerhouse: Comfrey leaves contain significant protein levels (up to 20-30% in dry matter), making them valuable in composting and as animal fodder (with caution). Comfrey is also rich in macronutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and calcium, as well as micronutrients like zinc, selenium, and magnesium.
•  Comfrey's Environmental Benefits: Comfrey is a natural repellent for pests like slugs and snails, and its flowers attract pollinators like bees. Comfrey also supports beneficial soil organisms, promoting a healthy ecosystem. Additionally, comfrey's rapid growth captures atmospheric carbon, storing it in plant biomass and soil organic matter, making it a valuable tool in climate mitigation strategies.

What else do you use comfrey for?

https://holisticvineyeards.substack.com/p/comprehensive-guide-to-comfrey