Regenerative advocate, educator and coach Nicole Masters talks about the unique opportunity facing New Zealand farmers looking to introduce regenerative farming practices. The discussion ranges widely, from the value of open sharing, tackling soil compaction, and the benefits of working with nature, not against it.

Nicole has been exploring the benefits of 'nature-aligned' ways of growing crops and raising livestock since well before the term regenerative agriculture existed. With a background in the sciences and having coached numerous farmers in NZ and overseas in regenerative farming practices, she offers valuable perspective from the leading edge of regenerative thinking.

Enjoy the episode!

Conversation timeline:

00:00:58 - Comparing NZ soil environment with the US

00:04:30 - Getting excited about soils and plant biology

00:07:36 - The value of a questioning mindset

00:11:11 - The cost of not working with nature

00:14:42 - Consequences of current thinking

00:17:54 - Find those breaking the rules

00:21:15 - Compaction as an example finding different solutions

00:26:40 - Identify compaction and infiltration tests

00:29:38 - Authoring ‘For the love of the soil’

00:35:47 - The prospect of farming with fewer inputs

00:41:19 - Reversing the 'buy more land' trend

00:43:10 - Impact of chemical contamination

00:51:03 - Superphosphate impact on zinc levels

00:52:44 - The 'coach the coaches' school

00:56:13 - Learning from indigenous peoples

01:00:28 - Advice for those starting their regen journey