What is Regenerative Farming?
Farming practices that rebuild topsoil, increase biodiversity, improve water cycle, enhance ecosystems, support biosequestration of carbon which contributes to reducing climate change and increase the vitality of the soil which increases resiliency in the face of climate change.
Here are some of the ways we farm regeneratively here at Winterhill Farm & Garden:
- 98% of our farm is perennial pasture, only 2% tilled
- Minimal tillage methods (typically only top 2” are tilled) preserving the soil life
- Multi cropping in the same beds each year means more food produced on the same ground, requires less tillage overall
- Tons of compost are added every year to support this increased productivity
- No pesticides, instead feed the soil with natural amendments and the plants are healthy enough to fend off most pests
- Crop rotation limits soil-borne diseases
- No erosion = clean water cycling
- No chemicals sprayed = soil biology and earthworm populations are increasing!
- Cows moved daily to new pasture, Rotational grazing builds topsoil, Grass that is trampled and manured on gets composted in place
- Topsoil and larger root systems sequester carbon and help lower greenhouse gas emissions.
- More topsoil captures more water on the farm = more resiliency from weather uncertainty
- Chicken manure is high in nitrogen, adds even more fertility to pastures removing the need for chemical fertilizer
- Round bales fed in winter on pasture provide feed, bedding and compost which grows more grass the following years
- We are home to 2 species at risk that we are aware of: snapping turtle and Bobolink
- Tree swallow birdhouses help keep flies down naturally and they are fun to watch
- Buying local means food not trucked from around the world, less trucks needed, less fuel consumed = better for the environment (Shorten your food chain by buying a CSA share)
We have a simple philosophy – Pay close attention to mother nature and copy her methods. She already has it all figured out!
If you are interested in learning more, please reach out as we would love to hear from you.
Jill and Nathan Smith – Winterhill Farm and Garden winterhillfarm@yahoo.com
Winterhill Farm and Garden 