How to improve soil health through organic methods that align with regenerative farming principles?

In the fertile fields of California’s Sacramento Valley, Scott Park and his family have pioneered a transformative approach to farming. Decades ago, Park recognized the diminishing vitality of his soil and began integrating organic matter to revive it. This marked the beginning of his journey into regenerative organic agriculture, a method that intertwines organic farming with the principles of regenerative farming to rejuvenate soil health, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate climate change impacts.

Today, Park Farming Organics stands as a testament to the efficacy of these methods, operating a 1,700-acre farm without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, instead using compost, cover crops, seaweed, and beneficial microbes. The farm’s evolution from conventional to organic practices was gradual and largely experimental, as scientific guidelines were scarce during its early days.

The term ‘regenerative agriculture’ itself is a subject of various interpretations but generally refers to practices that promote soil health and environmental stewardship. According to Brise Tencer, executive director of the Organic Farming Research Foundation and moderator of the upcoming Organic Grower Summit panel in Monterrey, organic farming aligns closely with regenerative agriculture goals. Tencer highlighted that nearly 90% of organic growers employ cover crops to prevent erosion, sequester carbon, and maintain soil fertility, underscoring the proactive role of organic farmers in sustainable agriculture.

Scott Park’s approach, which began with returning wheat straw to the soil—a practice still uncommon today—has significantly improved soil health over the years. The farm now enjoys enhanced water retention, reduced nitrogen requirements, and fewer pest and disease issues. However, weeds remain a challenge, managed through diligent weeding and strategic tillage.

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The upcoming panel discussion at the Organic Grower Summit will further explore these topics, featuring insights from experts like Eric Brennan, a USDA-Agricultural Research Service horticulturist, and Karen Lowell, a USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service specialist in cover crops and soil management. This panel aims to share knowledge and tools developed by the Organic Farming Research Foundation to promote organic systems’ potential to improve soil health and structure.

The Park family’s commitment to keeping their soil alive all year round epitomizes the core of regenerative organic agriculture—maintaining continuous life in the soil to sustain its health and productivity.