A geomorphologist explains the significance of healthy soil to the survival of civilizations throughout human history and the simple practices that can be adopted to rejuvenate soil health and reduce the need for chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides. In addition to restoring soil health, regenerative agricultural practices can increase yields for farmers and reduce the need for labor and inputs. David gives some insight into how these practices are implemented across the world in different environments and climates. 

 

Episode 9_This Is Regenerative Agriculture Show Notes

 

Guests

David Montgomery, University of Washington Professor, Author

Twitter: @dig2grow

Website: dig2grow.com

 

Recommended Further Reading:

Article: Junk Food is Bad for Plants Too

Article: Trading biodiversity for pest problems

 

Episode Summary by the Minute:

 

Minute 00:00: Opening with Erin & Allyson

Minute 3:00: Introduction to David

Minute 7:00: David explains regegnerative agriculture and why it's so important today.

Minute 10:40: David explains how farmers he's visited, around the world, improve their soils. There are 3 main practices: (1) don't disturb the soil too much (2) have cover crops and (3) plant a diversity of crops.

Minute 13:20: "Let nature farm for you."

Minute 15:00: to build a good soil, you have to reduce erosion.

Minute 18:00: Impacts of using synthetic fertilizers.

Minute 24:30: Why societies have failed after they're degraded their soil.

Minute 27:30: Societies that don't take care of the land - the soil also doesn't take care of the societies.

Minute 30:00: David discussed how we can offset a huge portion of our nitrogen fertilizer use.

Minute 31:00: How can we encourage a change in behavior? What makes David optimistic about regenerative agricultural practices.

Minute 33:30: how policy can shift behavior, even those of CAFOs and conventional farms.

Minute 42:00: Organic versus conventional versus organic-ish.

Minute 47:00: How diverse does the crop need to be? It depends where and how you're growing crops.

Minute 50:00: The role of carbon in the soil is really important; it's tied to high soil fertility. Regenerative practices rebuild soil carbon.

Minute 54:00: David explains his background and how his career led him to this work.

Minute 58:00: How we can follow along and support David's work -Twitter, buy the books, and grow your own garden and pay attention to the soil!

Minute 1:00:47: David's book recommendations.

Minute 1:03:00: David's easy habit changes- make some compost!