An educational project to learn the basics and put into practice regenerative agriculture, which restores soil health
My Regenerative Journey
My Regenerative Journey
Not a farming method, but a way of thinking
To practice regenerative agriculture, you don't have to stick to the form of cultivation or farming methods, such as conventional or organic farming. Anyone can participate and start with what you can practice. How does the soil move? What is the community under the soil? Isn't it bad to plow? What seeds should be mixed with mixed cover crops? When should you mow? There are so many questions to practice, I don't know where to start! As this educational program progresses, you will be able to organize such questions and concerns and prepare to put them into practice. Reducing the number of times you plow, even by one, and sowing green manure from a single species to multiple species are also big challenges in moving towards regenerative agriculture.
Second Period Recruitment
We are currently recruiting members for the second term of the "Earth Regeneration Journey". With the first term members who have been studying for half a year starting mixed cover crops and sheep grazing, how can we establish and develop earth regeneration agriculture suited to the Japanese environment? The first term members are also waiting for new members to join us. Let's go on a journey of earth regeneration together!
Welcome to the My Regeneration Journey!
Many farmers and other people interested in regenerative agriculture have been visiting Menno Village Naganuma after seeing the film "to which we belong," which has been showing all over the country. Since this backdrop, we began to think that an educational program was needed to serve as an entry point to practical regenerative agriculture. In order to work on regenerating the earth, it is necessary to first change the way we think before changing the soil. It's a mindset. We thought that a place to learn basic knowledge was necessary to do this, so in January 2024, we started the educational project "My Regenerative Journey."
Learn about regenerative agriculture!
In the educational program "My Regenerative Journey" (first year) that began in spring 2024, Raymond learned the importance of measuring the condition of the soil and how to do so in a workshop, in addition to the knowledge and experience he has gained over the past five years, as well as practical knowledge he learned from coaching with Nicole Masters (Integrity Soils, New Zealand), a soil researcher who appears in "to which we belong" In addition, this summer, he will import seeds with the cooperation of Green Cover, a seed company in Nebraska that also appears in the film, and will begin full-scale practice of mixed cover crops.
Welcome to My Regenerative Journey
You are all aware of the challenges that come with farming today: long hours, increasing fuel and fertilizer costs, soil compaction, water logging and droughts, increasing costs for controlling pests and diseases. The way we have been taught to farm by controlling nature is creating a downward spiral of increasing problems. We need to open up a new way of thinking about farming that seeks to farm together with the power of the soil.
This new mindset requires a new approach to practicing farming that seeks to mimic ecosystem function. Nature is diverse, it keeps the soil covered, it rarely disturbs the soil, living plants are always growing, animals and plants grow together. Since each farm and farmer is unique each farmer must know his own context. By context I mean each one must know their soil, what they love to grow, their family needs, the equipment they have available, markets, and why is that we farm?
It is important in sharing this journey that we learn how to communicate without judging others and learning to listen with respect and understanding. Through this process of learning together we will foster lifelong friendships. I look forward to join together with you on this journey.
Best regards,
Ray
Welcome to My Regenerative Journey
You are all aware of the challenges that come with farming today: long hours, increasing fuel and fertilizer costs, soil compaction, water logging and droughts, increasing costs for controlling pests and diseases. The way we have been taught to farm by controlling nature is creating a downward spiral of increasing problems. We need to open up a new way of thinking about farming that seeks to farm together with the power of the soil.
This new mindset requires a new approach to practicing farming that seeks to mimic ecosystem function. Nature is diverse, it keeps the soil covered, it seldom disturbs the soil, living plants are always growing, animals and plants grow together. Since each farm and farmer is unique each farmer must know his own context. By context I mean each one must know their soil, what they love to grow, their family needs, the equipment they have available, markets, and why is that we farm?
It is important in sharing this journey that we learn how to communicate without judging others and learning to listen with respect and understanding. Through this process of learning together we will foster lifelong friendships. I look forward to join together with you on this journey.
Best regards,
Ray