At First Light Farm, we practice regenerative farming. A relatively new term, but an old concept, regenerative farming not only takes care of the soil (which directly benefits those of us who eat the crops), but it also helps reduce the CO2 in the atmosphere by sequestering carbon in the soil.
By utilizing a system of farming principles and practices that care for the entire ecosystem of the farm, regenerative agriculture takes into consideration soil health, water management, fertilizer use, and more:
Want to help support local farms that practice regenerative agriculture? Check out our Carbon Offset Program!
We're thankful to the Climate Reality Project for their succinct language regarding regenerative agricultural practices.
By utilizing a system of farming principles and practices that care for the entire ecosystem of the farm, regenerative agriculture takes into consideration soil health, water management, fertilizer use, and more:
- Conservation tillage: Plowing and tillage dramatically erode soil and release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. They also can result in the kind of bare or compacted soil that creates a hostile environment for important soil microbes. At First Light Farm, we attempt to minimize the physical disturbance of the soil which over time creates healthier, more resilient environments for plants to thrive, as well as keeping more and more carbon where it belongs.
- Diversity: Different plants release different carbohydrates (sugars) through their roots, and various microbes feed on these carbs and return all sorts of different nutrients back to the plant and the soil. At First Light Farm, by increasing the plant diversity of our fields, we create varied, and nutrient-dense soils that lead to more productive yields.
- Rotation and cover crops: Left exposed to the elements, soil will erode and the nutrients necessary for successful plant growth will either dry out or quite literally wash away. At the same time, planting the same plants in the same location can lead to a buildup of some nutrients and a lack of others. At First Light Farm, we rotate our crops and use cover crops to feed the soil with more organic matter.
- Mess with it less: At First Light Farm, wee are very cautious about any activity that can damage the long-term soil health.
Want to help support local farms that practice regenerative agriculture? Check out our Carbon Offset Program!
We're thankful to the Climate Reality Project for their succinct language regarding regenerative agricultural practices.
