Gabe Brown Shares How Regenerative Agriculture is Breathing New Life into Farms, Soils and Society
Podcast Notes
In this podcast, Buz Kloot, Joe Dickie, and Gabe Brown discuss Gabe's motivation behind his mission to help farmers and ranchers. Gabe shares that his dedication to the mission was solidified during the three years of extreme difficulties he faced. At that time, there were few resources for farmers and ranchers to learn about the principles, rules, and processes required for regenerative agriculture. Gabe felt a calling to help others avoid the difficulties he faced and made a commitment to dedicate his life to this mission. Throughout the podcast, Joe and Buz reflect on their own experiences working with Gabe and express their admiration for his unwavering dedication to this mission. Gabe's work is about more than just farming and ranching—it's about making a positive impact on the planet.
The discussion turned to regenerative agriculture, and Gabe shared his experience in showing visitors his garden before the farm: "And I often get this puzzled look, 'Well, why the garden?' [visitors ask]. And I tell them, 'Every single thing you need to know about regenerative agriculture can be shown in this garden.'" He notes that the transformational movement towards regenerative agriculture has been driven by farmers who are leading a grassroots effort to change the industry.
Gabe adds to the discussion by sharing a story about how Maker's Mark bourbon announced that their farm has been certified as regenerative, which received 2.47 million views in five hours. This indicates a high demand for regenerative certified products, which can be profitable for producers. He also notes that regenerative principles can significantly reduce input costs for producers, which is why the industry has experienced explosive growth.
What drives producers towards regenerative agriculture? Gabe explains that profitability is the main driver for producers, as regenerative principles can reduce input costs. He also points out that education is crucial to promoting regenerative agriculture. "I always tell people that, you know, if I went out and polled farmers and ranchers and asked them to write me one paragraph about how a soil aggregate was formed, 95 plus percent of them wouldn't be able to answer that simple question. Yet 100% of those producers, their livelihoods depend on that soil aggregate," says Gabe.
How do we shift the mindset of farmers and ranchers towards regenerative agriculture? Initially, Gabe says, producers make decisions based solely on money. However, when they start working with regenerative practices and see positive changes in their soil health, water infiltration, and nutrient cycling, they have an "aha moment" and realize the broader impact of their actions. This realization leads to a shift in priorities towards a more holistic approach to farming and ranching, where they consider the positive impact on the landscape, wildlife, and their families. Gabe and his team take clients through a process that includes a shovel and infiltration test in the field and nearby woods, followed by soil testing, split trials, and profitability tracking, which helps farmers and ranchers recognize the benefits of regenerative agriculture. Positive compounding effects, such as increased soil aggregation, improved water infiltration, and increased insect populations, further reinforce the idea that regenerative agriculture is not just about making money but also about improving the environment. The shift towards regenerative agriculture leads to more diversified operations, with farmers and ranchers adding more crops and livestock. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of a holistic approach to farming and ranching, where producers consider the impact of their actions on the environment and their communities.
Link:
Six principles of Soil health, Three Rules of Adaptive Stewardship, and Four Ecosystem Processes
