Regenerative Farming in Taranaki
Regenerative Farming, or Regen Ag as you'll also hear it called, is a whole farm system approach that works towards continual enhancement of environmental, economic, animal, farmer and social wellbeing, as well as producing quality food + fibre that nourishes good health. It's not counter to Conventional Ag, rather a natural evolution of it.
A major aspect is rooted in understanding and improving Soil Health, which then affects all else. By it's very nature, it is adaptive & flexible to one’s farming context.
Last week Regenerative Ag was announced as an official part of the Ministry of Primary Industries and Primary Sector Councils Vision for Aotearoa NZ. In this, Regenerative Agriculture is acknowledged, along with Te Taiao and Matauranga as the grounding for a viable way forth for our Food + Fibre Sector in Aotearoa NZ. Read more here: Fit for a Better World
Taranaki has just hosted 3 Regenerative Farming workshops titled "Building Resilience Into Farm Systems" bringing groups of 24 to 35 together near Ōpunakē, Oākura and Inglewood/Koanga Moa. These inspiring and practical Workshops were run by Jules Matthews, a Regenerative Agriculture Coach & Educator with Integrity Soils. They were invited and organised by Fiona Young of ReGenerative Solutions & Taranaki Regenerative Agriculture, with support from VENTURE TARANAKI, Green Bridge, Southern Humates, Revital Fertiliser and Osflo. These interactive 1 day workshops as well included a short though inspiring presentation by Kama Burwell of Green Bridge regarding integrating more trees/shrubs and forage as part of a regenerative farm system. Out on farm, Jules also taught everyone the art and science of visual soil assessments.
For more news about local trials, events, etc and if you'd like to stay on the pulse and be involved with Regen Ag in Taranaki, please write to Fiona Young at taranakiregenag@gmail.com or "like" the local facebook page Taranaki Regenerative Agriculture
Check out the Talks and Demos schedule for this year's Sustainable Backyards Trail for more opportunities to learn from local experts about regenerative agriculture.
For further reading check out Jules Matthews article, Regenerative Agriculture Fad or Future Opportunity?
Taranaki Workshops in the Media!
Last Tuesday in Ōpunakē, Robin Martin joined us from Radio NZ.
RNZ Article - Farmers dig deep at Regenerative Agriculture workshops
Radio NZ - AUDIO - Taranaki Farmers take crash course in Regenerative Agriculture
Stuff Article: Workshops bring Regenerative Agriculture to Taranaki
Country Calendar
Peter Barrett - Linnburn Station (Episode 7, 2020 - Regenerative Sheep & Beef Farm)
CONTACT
Fiona Young
027 580 3502
