In Pursuit of the Regenerative Dream
By Taylor Herren, Farm Program Specialist
Excerpt from ‘The Dirt’: SCI’s Monthly Farmer Newsletter
Jerry Volenec, Hardscrabble Farms
The mission of SCI is to “scale regenerative agriculture”. If more farmers do more practices on more acres, society's most pressing issues (the food system, human health, the environment) will be solved. Voila!
Simple right?
As I’m sure you know, far from it.
Change is hard. Really hard. It’s especially hard when there are forces pushing against it. And it can be hard even when you know it’s also right.
Queue those of you who are changing how you farm.
The principles of soil health are simple. The experience of a farmer on their soil health journey is anything but.
Below is a writing from fellow SCI farmer, Jerry Volenec. Jerry and his wife, Jen, made the decision to get out of confinement dairy in pursuit of their regenerative dream.
By: Jerry Volenec, Hardscrabble Farms
The dispersal of the dairy herd is no small thing. The cattle I'm selling are family. I've spent the whole of my 49 years with and caring for them. These cows are from families of cattle my mother fed when I was in utero. Families my father, grandfather, great grandfather cared for and nurtured. Families that came with my family from Europe.
No small thing to sit at this fire.
So as it is.
We have been here since 1897.
Many Presidents and many administrations have come and gone. Good and bad.
This too will pass. We will still be here.
It will look different. It will be different...
But there will be another fire.
And fires after that.
So, peace, friend.
Jerry Volenec, Hardscrabble Farms
It is truly an act of courage and faith and self-determination.
I see these traits in every farmer SCI works with. Taking on the risk and scariness of change in agriculture and in life.
So cheers to the Volenec’s and each of you. May we accomplish our mission of scaling regenerative agriculture one bold step at a time. Keep up the great work.
Reminder to all SCI farmers: Our monthly Farm Office Hours will take place every last Thursday of the month at 4pm ET.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Systems Change Conference
September 9-10, 2024 | Statesville, NC
The Systems Change Conference convenes key stakeholders from philanthropic, corporate, government and environmental organizations to create intentional roadmaps on how Regenerative Farming, Corporate and Government Sustainability, Food as Health initiatives, and our Supply Chains can create system-wide and scalable impact.
The first day will be a farm visit to Russell Hedrick's farm and the second day is at the Statesville Civic Center.
Meet members of the SCI team there in person! Julie Davenson, SCI Finance Specialist will be speaking, and Alisa Gravitz, SCI Executive Committee, will be there, along with our partners from Soil Regen’s, Co-owners, Liz Haney and Russell Hedrick.
SCA Virtual Mini-Meeting
September 10, 2024, 1-4pm ET | Virtual
Save the Date! Our sister program’s end-of-Summer Soil & Climate Alliance virtual mini-meeting is coming this September.
As an SCI Farmer, you are welcome at all the meetings – absolutely free. Meet fellow SCI Farmers, regen ag leaders from food companies, processors and investors interested in regen ag. These quick connects give the Network opportunities to bond, learn, and take action together.
Mark your calendar now, and stay tuned for registration this August.
The Big Soil Health Event
December 9-11, 2024 | Cedar Fall, IA
The Big Soil Health Event provides producers, landowners, and ag industry members with a ground-up educational experience. While many conferences inspire and teach, this event encourages and illuminates soil health practice adoption.
This conference is brought to you by our partners, Soil Regen. SCI’s Taylor Herron will be the event’s co-MC, and many SCI farmers will be there – enjoy all the connections!
RESOURCES
Cropland Assessment Tool
Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP)
This assessment tool is useful for farmers when considering what conservation practices to incorporate in their region!
"Through CEAP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) quantifies trends in cropland conservation practices, and associated outcomes, over time. This data empowers a diversity of customers to evaluate conservation successes, identify potential improvements, and set targeted, measurable goals for the future. Cropland farmers may leverage CEAP findings to inform on-the-ground decisions related to conservation tillage, cover crops, irrigation, nutrient management, and many other conservation actions."
FEATURED FARMER
Building Regenerative Supply Chains Can Be "Exciting and Stressful"
John Strohfus takes on the risks of building direct-to-brand regenerative supply chains
Maddie Hamann and Adam Hiner, co-founders of organic bread maker PACHA, had a problem. In 2023, they were sourcing organic buckwheat from a farmer in North Dakota for their gluten-free bread products. But they wanted to get their products certified regenerative in order to sell them in Whole Foods stores, and their farmer didn’t have that certification.
Fortunately, some mutual connections led them to John Strohfus, a farmer in Hastings, Minnesota and owner of Field Theory, a business that connects food brands to regenerative farmers. Strohfus said he could help Hamann and Hiner.
Source: The Organic and Non-GMO Report