South Otago dairy farmer Mark Anderson talks about his passion for the environment and the experiences – in New Zealand and overseas – that led him to begin exploring regenerative farming practices four years ago. These include seeing the impact of farming on the rivers that border his family's farm, recognising the unsustainability of Southland winter cropping practices, and hearing about changes in the oceans impacting his father-in-law's commercial fishing operations.

Mark also touches on the link between soil health, food quality and human health, with challenges to his own health adding to the drive to produce healthier food from healthier natural systems. With detail of the positive benefits on soil function, how Mark is monitoring progress, and the power of being supported by like-minded farmers, it's a conversation that covers a lot of ground.

Enjoy the episode!

Conversation timeline:

00:00:41 - Introducing Mark Anderson

00:01:55 - Catalysts for the change to regen

00:04:43 - Burn-out in the dairy industry

00:07:10 - Changes to our oceans and rivers

00:11:18 - Nature-based solutions

00:14:27 - Farm history, setup and overview

00:20:14 - Learning regen

00:23:48 - The power of a supportive community

00:25:50 - Working with nature not against it

00:28:57 - Farming as an art form, not just science

00:31:59 - Catching the emergent wave

00:35:25 - Being in the black to be green

00:37:05 - Measuring progress with soil fungi

00:42:09 - Rebuilding the natural cycles

00:49:52 - A new definition of success

00:54:52 - Starting the regen journey