The Crisis Beneath Our Feet: Why Soil Matters for a Regenerative Future

Have you ever wondered what lies beneath our feet, supporting every bite of food we eat? The answer is soil, and right now, it is facing a crisis. Experts warn that we could lose 95% of the world’s topsoil by 2050. That’s around 24 billion tonnes of topsoil vanishing every year. This isn’t just a concern for farmers. It affects the quantity and quality of food on your plate, while also worsening climate change. Embracing regenerative practices can play a large part in reversing this trend.

Healthy soil is far from just dirt; it’s a living, breathing ecosystem. Did you know that around 60% of all species in the world live in the soil? Soil is a habitat that helps in recycling nutrients and holds onto water (preventing floods and supporting ecosystems). It is also a crucial part in the fight against climate change. Helping capture CO2 and storing 80% of all the carbon on land.

Sadly, our global soils are in trouble, with around 33%  already degraded. A massive 40% of degraded soils are located in Africa. When the soil is degraded, we lose fertile land for food production. It also leads to runoff of sedimentation into waterways, as degraded soil can’t hold onto water, increasing flood risks. Rising global temperatures also negatively affect soil health. By changing microbial activity, reducing water storage capacity, and affecting fertility and productivity.

The Root of the Problem: Conventional Agriculture’s Impact

So, how did we get here? Since the early 20^th century, conventional agriculture has relied on monoculture farms. Focusing on growing just one crop or type of animal like soy, corn, wheat or poultry. Conventional agriculture also relies on using lots of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. While these aimed to have the most efficient and productive far. It has resulted in soil microbiota, disrupted natural cycles and degraded the foundation of our food system.

You also may have heard of organic farms, which are a step forward by avoiding synthetic inputs. Its focus is on the quality of the product you get, not necessarily the health of the far itself.

A New Path Forward: The Promise of Regenerative Agriculture

This is where regenerative agriculture comes in. It is an approach that goes beyond sustaining our planet but rebuilds and restores nature’s vital ecosystems. Starting from the soil up. Instead of fighting nature with tilling and synthetic chemicals. Regenerative farming works with ecological processes to heal the land and regenerate soil health first and foremost.

Alarmingly, 35% of the world’s emissions have been produced by farming and deforestation. Over a third of global emissions are just so we can eat. But there is hope: with over 15 million farmers already embracing regenerative methods to improve the health of their soil. This growing movement is supported by initiatives. Like the ‘4 per mile Soils for Food Security and Climate’ initiative, launched by COP 21. This aims to increase global soil organic matter in the ground by 0.4% each year to help offset human-induced greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Regenerative Agriculture: Principles for a Healthier Planet

This global effort is driven by the core parts of regenerative agriculture, guided by six key principles.

1. Farm in context with your environment: Understanding your farm’s unique climate, topography, soil type and characteristics, water availability and biodiversity. Then adapting your management plans accordingly.
2. Do not disturb the soil: Reduce or remove physical disturbances of the soil like tillage and chemical disturbance from synthetic fertilisers, herbicides and fungicides. To help mimic nature’s undisturbed ecosystems.
3. Armour on the soil: Always keep the soil covered with crops or residues. This protects the top living layer ‘skin” from erosion, temperature extremes and moisture loss. Just as there is no bare soil in nature.
4. Encourage Biodiversity: Create a rich and diverse ecosystem with many types of domestic and wild animals, plants and insects. Because nature thrives in healthy ecosystems, not monocultures.
5. Living roots: Keep living roots in the soil for as much of the year as possible. To pull carbon out of the atmosphere and feed the good soil microbes.
6. Animal and Insect Integration: Reintroducing and encouraging animals and beneficial insects back to the land. As they are needed for healthy soils, nutrient cycling and the farm ecosystem. Animals can even be added to orchards or field crop farms.

Restoring Our Soil, Restoring Our Health through Regenerative Practices

The soil on our planet is more than dirt: it’s the living, breathing skin that is abundant with life. Living soil is the foundation to a healthy planet and, therefore, a healthy you. When we focus on rebuilding this underground ecosystem, we unlock many benefits for our well-being.

Nutrient-Dense Food for You

Have you noticed that some of your foods feel more nourishing? The secret to this often lies beneath our feet! Healthy soil has a community of microbes that act as nature’s nutrient providers. They break down organic material, which makes vitamins, minerals and antioxidants accessible for plants to absorb.

This means there is more goodness in fruit and vegetables produced in healthy soils. Which means fruits and vegetables have more goodness. From Vitamin B, C, E and K to minerals like calcium, copper, phosphorus and zinc and many phytonutrients like carotenoids. Research backs this up, showing that foods grown in healthy soils have higher nutrient content. Including more vitamins and beneficial fatty acids compared to conventionally farmed produce.

Less “Nasty Stuff” on Your Plate

If you are concerned about what else may be on your food, you’re not alone. Conventional farming often relies on synthetic pesticides and herbicides. Which can leave behind residues on the fruit and vegetables that we eat. While the full long-term effects of these unwanted extras are still being studied, some research shows links to many health concerns. From immediate irritation like headaches to more serious long-term conditions like diabetes and asthma, over time.

The good news is that when farms focus on building the health of their soil. It reduces the need for chemical inputs. Instead of spraying for an unwanted insect pest, they harness nature’s solutions. This may be in the form of biocontrol, where beneficial insects prey on the unwanted insects. By using nature’s power, this reduces chemical residue on or in your produce. Choosing foods from regenerative farms can offer you a cleaner bite and more peace of mind. Especially when feeding your family.

A Resilient Gut, a Resilient You

It may come as a surprise, but our gut health is intrinsically connected to the health of our soils. Our bodies are home to trillions of microorganisms. Which is known as our microbiome, found in our gut, skin and more.

Having a healthy microbiome helps digestion, nutrient absorption, regulates your immune system and can help your mental wellbeing. Our modern lifestyle, with less exposure to nature, over-hygiene, antibiotic use and processed diets, has led to a significant decrease in the diversity of our gut microbes.

Scientists are finding that some of the same microbes found in healthy soil are also found in plants, animals and humans. Which shows a connection among all living life. When we eat fruits and vegetables, we are getting vitamins, minerals and fibre, and we are also ingesting those beneficial microbes which can add to our gut microbiome. So, the more diverse wholefoods you can add to your diet, the more you can support your gut microbiome. A healthy microbiome plays an important role in preventing chronic diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Happier Animals, Healthier Ecosystems

In the world of industrial farming, animals are often seen as products to put on the supermarket shelf. But they are an integral part of helping create a healthier planet a healthier food for you and your family. Regenerative agriculture sees animals as important members of a thriving ecosystem. This change in perspective leads to happier animals, better food and a healthier environment for everyone.

Thriving Animals, Better Food: The benefits of a Good Life

Imagine animals living their best life. Grazing on fresh grass, moving freely and enjoying an array of foods in their diet. This is the reality of regenerative farming, in a practice called rotational grazing. Instead of staying in one spot, animals are regularly moved into new paddocks. Which mimics the natural movements of wild herds. This gives them continuous access to fresh grass and varied plants, which boosts their health and their microbiome.

What does this mean for your family’s plate? It means higher quality meat and eggs. For example, beef and pork from regenerative farms often have a much healthier fat balance. With a better ratio of beneficial anti-inflammatory omega-3s to omega-6s. Also, when animals are healthy in their natural environment, they are less stressed and less susceptible to disease. This significantly reduces the need for antibiotics and growth hormones in the food you are eating.

 Animals as Ecosystem Engineers: Nature’s Little and Big Helpers

You may be wondering if a plant-only approach to farming the best for a healthy ecosystem. Especially with all the discussions around climate change. But here is the truth: animals are ecosystem engineers! While the health of soil microbes and plants is crucial, adding livestock brings another layer to the farm ecosystem.

Think of them as nature’s little and big helpers. Because as animals graze, their hooves break up the soil. Which helps aerate it and allows for more water to seep in. Their manure and urine are fertilisers as they provide essential nutrients which the soil microbes break down. Making them available for plant growth. See the positive cycle of nutrients moving from animal to soil to plants and back to animals again. This positive cycle allows for more productive land, healthier plants and a rich and deep topsoil. So, having properly managed animals can enhance the productivity of land. Creating a cycle where healthy land supports healthy animals and support healthy land again.

Ethical and Humane Treatment: Peace of Mind from Pasture to Plate

Many of us are aware of the common realities of industrial animal farming. Animals are confined to small spaces, often on concrete, unable to express their natural behaviours. This can lead to animal welfare issues, disease outbreaks requiring more antibiotics and environmental pollution.

Regenerative farming offers a stark and positive contrast. Here, animals are always outside, with lots of space to roam, forage, interact with others and display their natural behaviours. They have shelter but are free to move wherever they want. This isn’t just about being nice to animals. It’s about respecting their intrinsic nature, allowing them to thrive as animals have emotions. These animals are healthier in their natural environments, resulting in a lower need for antibiotics and aren’t given growth hormones. This means your food from regenerative farms is produced with integrity and compassion. Offering you peace of mind, aligning with your values.

A Healing Planet, A Brighter Regenerative Future

We have all been seeing the headlines about climate change, from water shortages to wildfires and the extinction of species. These environmental challenges can feel scary, but here is some good news: regenerative agriculture offers many different solutions. By working with nature and not against it. We can create a brighter future for our loved ones now and generations to come.

Carbon Captured, Climate Cooled: Turning Soil into a Sponge

Imagine the soil as a massive carbon sponge that helps soak up excess CO2 from the atmosphere. This process happens through photosynthesis, pulling CO2 from the atmosphere to create sugars for the plant’s growth and functions. When plants are healthy, they release some excess sugar through their roots, which feeds the soil microbes. The soil microbes digest this carbon and turn it into organic matter, which is stored deep in the soil.

This process is amazing! Gabe Brown is a regenerative rancher and has seen his soil’s organic matter dramatically increase. Which is helping lock away nearly 400 tonnes of CO2 per acre. This is done by using practices like cover cropping, reduced tilling and rotational grazing. They keep their soil covered, undisturbed and constantly working to pull carbon out of the atmosphere.

The global scale for this carbon capture is massive. Recent studies show that restoring degraded and desertified ecosystems has the ability worldwide to store another 1 billion to 3 billion tonnes of carbon annually. Equating to around 3.5 billion to 11 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions. To put this into perspective, with 2023 annual CO2 emissions at 40.6 billion tonnes. Storing more carbon in soil would absorb and store an average of 17% of the global CO2 emissions. This means focusing on healthy soil isn’t just good for our food. It’s an amazing way to make a real dent in helping cool our climate and building a healthier planet for us all.

Happy Soil, Healthy Water: The “Super-Sponge” Effect

Imagine a healthy soil as a super sponge, one with pores and life galore. This network of pores, created by microbes and plant roots. Allows the soil to rapidly absorb and hold lots of water. So, after heavy rain, healthy soil on regenerative farms will be able to soak up this water. Which means there is less flooding and runoff into our waterways. This amazing water retention is needed for plant growth. Which creates more resilient crops and more food for animals, even during dry spells.

Unfortunately, many conventional farms rely heavily on pesticides. With a shocking 80%  of these chemicals contaminating our environment, especially our soil and water. These chemicals actively harm the beneficial microbes in the soil. Leading to a 35% decrease in soil respiration, a key indicator of its health. One study found nearly 90% of farmland waterways were polluted with pesticides.

But there is hope! Gabe Brown’s regenerative ranch dramatically improved its soil health, increasing water infiltration from 1.3 centimetres as a conventional farm to 81 centimetres after switching to regenerative practices. Proving that healthy soil can drink up all the rain it receives.

Buzzing, Flitting, Thriving: The Return of Biodiversity on Regenerative Farms

The Cost of Conventional Farming: Losing Biodiversity

On many conventional farms, the widespread use of pesticides has devastating consequences. A massive 98% of chemicals sprayed affect non-target organisms. This means our vital allies, like our beneficial pollinators egg bees and butterflies, are caught in the crossfire. So it’s no wonder that around 40% of invertebrate pollinators are at risk of extinction. With 30% of the American and European Honeybee populations declining, directly linked to pesticide use.

Beyond chemicals, the common practice of monoculture farming, where a single crop is grown, e.g. corn or soy, further limits life. So, what happens when a natural disaster, pest outbreak or a saturated market hits? These farms become incredibly vulnerable because of the lack of diversity and income streams. Also offering little in the way of many habitats for the wildlife that once thrived there.

Regenerative Farms: A Haven for Life

In stark contrast, regenerative farms invite nature back, creating vibrant and interconnected ecosystems. By planting diverse crops and grazing a mix of animals and significantly reducing chemical inputs. These farms become havens for insects, birds and even larger wildlife. This rewilding isn’t only about bringing the beauty of nature back. It builds resilient ecosystems where nature works in harmony with the farmer. For example, imagine having ducks as your natural pest control for slugs. Or an increase in beneficial insects leading to more pollination and more birds. Healthier soils support a network of life from microscopic organisms to burrowing animals like rabbits. Which bring back predators like foxes to control their numbers.

As farmer Gabe Brown said in his TED talk. He used to wake up wondering what he would kill that day, e.g. pest or weed, but now he wonders how he can bring more life onto his farm to support all animals, big and small. The return of biodiversity not only restores natural balance but can also lead to higher profits for the farmers. So it is a win-win for everyone.

What can You Do? Simple Steps for a Regenerative Future

Here is how you can be part of the solution starting today!!

Seek Out and Support Regenerative Growers

You vote with your dollar! Look for farmers who prioritise soil health and biodiversity. A great starting point is at your local farmers’ market. You can talk to the growers, ask them directly about their practices. Ask if they use cover cropping, rotational grazing, or avoid synthetic pesticides. You can also look for certifications like “Certified Regenerative”. Or look at a company’s animal welfare and biodiversity policies when shopping online or at health food stores. Supporting these trailblazing farmers sends a clear message: you value the health of our planet and its inhabitants.

Prioritise Whole, Unprocessed Foods

Aim to make most of your plate come from the “perimeter” of the supermarket: fresh fruits, vegetables, quality meats, and dairy. These whole foods are less processed and often come from less industrialised systems. Do your research and choose brands based on good animal welfare standards and biodiversity standards.  By focusing on nutrient-dense, unprocessed ingredients, you’re not only nourishing your body but also subtly shifting demand towards more sustainable food chains.

Rethink Your Meat Consumption

We know now that meat from regenerative farms can be incredibly beneficial for the health of the land. But the global demand for meat is immense. That demand requires a lot of land. While choosing high-quality, regeneratively raised meat when possible is fantastic. A truly impactful step is to reduce your overall meat intake.

Challenge yourself to replace one meal this week that would normally feature meat with a delicious plant-based protein source. Think hearty lentil stews, colourful bean tacos, or a nut-based stir-fry. If everyone made this small swap, we could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, free up land for native ecosystems, improve water quality, and boost public health. It’s a powerful way to make a difference, one meal at a time.

Consider Growing Your Micro-Ecosystem

Whether you live in an apartment, have a small backyard, or manage a lifestyle block. You can start applying the principles of regenerative farming right where you are!

• Your Apartment: A Micro-Regenerative Farm: Even a balcony can become a thriving space. Increase biodiversity by growing a variety of herbs, dwarf fruits, and flowers in pots and containers. If growing indoors, remember to hand-pollinate or move plants outside occasionally. Conserve water by collecting cold shower water in a bucket or reusing vegetable washing water for your plants.

• Your Backyard Ecosystem: With more space, you can implement concepts like cover cropping and living mulches. Always keep your soil covered to protect it and feed beneficial microbes. Plant cover crops on empty beds, add clover under your tomatoes, or simply layer straw, wood chips, and leaves around plants. Boost biodiversity by planting a wide range of fruit trees, berry bushes, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Create habitats for insects by adding small piles of untreated logs and sticks.

• Lifestyle Block Opportunities: If you have more land, consider implementing rotational grazing. Even one paddock can be divided to allow animals to graze intensively for short periods. Then move on, giving the pasture ample time to recover and regenerate. You could also explore agroforestry, planting native trees as shelterbelts that provide wind protection for animals, potentially yield nuts or fruits, or even offer a future timber income. These practices boost biodiversity, provide shade, and sequester carbon

Spread the Word and Advocate

Your journey of learning about regenerative agriculture is inspiring, so share it! Talk to your friends, family, and community about what you’ve discovered. Word-of-mouth is incredibly powerful in helping people understand the benefits of this healthier, more sustainable way of farming. By raising awareness, you support farmers transitioning to regenerative practices. Contributing to a better future for our soil, plants, animals, human health, and the entire planet.

Thank you for reading!!!

We’ve journeyed deep into the world beneath our feet, uncovering how regenerative agriculture isn’t just a farming method, but a powerful solution for our planet’s most pressing challenges. From transforming degraded soil into a climate-cooling “carbon sponge” to bringing biodiversity back to life and providing us with more nutrient-dense and cleaner food. It’s a shift from fighting nature to working in harmony with it. Creating resilient systems that benefit soil, plants, animals, and us. Every intentional choice we make, big or small, contributes to this vital movement.

Leave a comment below and let me know what step you will take today to help heal our plate and heal our planet?

Georgia xo