Regenerative Agriculture in South Africa: resources

Regenerative Agriculture is a way of farming and growing food that is based on a set of principles - the specific actions that these principles dictate can be adjusted to suit the  climate and context of the individual and their land.

It is a way of farming that requires deep knowledge of the soil and surrounding ecosystem, as well as stringent observation.

The Principles:

* Pay attention to context

* Minimise Soil Disturbance

* Enhance Crop Diversity

* Keep Soil Covered

* Maintain Living Roots 

* Integrate Animals/Livestock

The first principle is sometimes not used - but I think it is the most important one. It is imperative to look at the land, weather patterns, soil, your needs and wants and the needs of your community before deciding on which farm operations to choose and how to go about regenerating your land and farm.

Regenerative Agriculture is different from Commercial Agriculture in so many ways, but the most glaring ones being that commercial ag forces the environment to comply with the farmer (often using chemical and extermination techniques) while regen ag suits the farming choices to the environment, Commercial Ag depletes the soil, the ecosystem AND THE FARMER while Regen ag aims to build up all of those.

Regenerative Agriculture can fit under the term 'Agroecology' and vice versa. Regen is not always organic - but it should be. Regenerative Agriculture is sometimes linked with Conservation Agriculture - which is okay, except that Conservation Agriculture has become a wishy-washy term.

In order for the term Regenerative to not become diluted - we must all educate ourselves on what it really means, which questions to ask and what to look for. This is especially important for consumers.

It takes immense courage for farmers to change their practices with peer, financial and market pressure - so the brave Regenerative farmers deserve our financial support 100 times over! One of the most important things we can do in our daily lives is to direct our money towards local Regenerative, Organic and Agroecological farms.

Here are some South Africans working in the regenerative sphere:

• Andrew Ardington 

• Farmers' Weekly Article 

• Convert The Dirt - great compost as well as fantastic MacNut, Sugarcane and Coffee farming projects: 

• Where we buy organic inputs to ensure adequate minerals: Talborne, Regenz

A few South African Regenerative Farmers to check out

•  Lowerland Farm, Prieska - wheat and flour, beef, pork, chicken eggs, corn and mielie meal, pecan nuts, pumpkins, wine

• Favour Farm, Groot Brak - various vegetables, eggs, chicken, beef 

• Reyneke,  WC - Wine

• Boschendal, WC - Wine, meats, bread, deli items

• Heart & Soil, Cape Town - community regeneration, courses, veg, breads, eggs

• Dalewood Fromage, Klapmuts - cheese 

• Farmer Angus at Spier Wine Farm, WC - beef and beef products, eggs, pork, wine

• Hartenberg Wine Estate, WC - wine

• Boschrivier Farm, Plett - Not sure if they sell any products

• Bramleigh Farm, KZN - chicken, eggs, pork, beef

• Vanderfax Farm, WC - flowers

• Mountain Folk Farm, KZN - flowers, sheep dairy, eggs

As conscious consumers, growers and farmers in South Africa - we must be aware that companies like Bayer seek to take over the term 'Regenerative' for their own use. I, and most other Regenerative farmers, believe that pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilisers produced by companies like Bayer and Monsanto are inherently not regenerative as they degrade soil and ecosystems.

Public awareness about what Regenerative Agriculture really means is imperative if we are going to hold on to this term and keep it meaningful!

It is important that we educate ourselves and others, and that we know our farmers and ask the big questions when buying food.

Questions like:

• Is this organic?

• Are you certified (third party or PGS)?

• What makes your farm regenerative?

• How do you manage pests and diseases?

• Do you allow farm visits?
  
  If a farmer or retailer does not want to answer questions - that is a big red flag! 
  
  Let's regenerate our hope for the future together!