Flower farm views in 2020 - Our farm, Heirloom Soul Florals in Lockport, NY

February 8, 2021

By now you’ve heard the terms: ‘Organic,’ ‘Sustainable,’ and ‘No-Till’ when it comes to farming and gardening.

The latest (and greatest) in the collection of industry terms is ‘Regenerative’ Farming. In my case as a flower farmer, what I do is referred to as ‘Regenerative Floriculture.’ Farmers that are growing food in a regenerative way practice ‘Regenerative Agriculture.’ The word ‘Regenerative’ encompasses all of the aforementioned concepts and is (for now) the ultimate expression of farming compassionately FOR the land and FOR the community.

Let me break down, in my own words, what each of these words mean in reference to farming.

Organic = Resisting the use of chemical inputs, including pesticides, herbicides, and chemically-derived fertilizers. It also resists the use of genetically modified (GM/GMO) seeds and plants.

No-Till = To farm without disrupting the soil structure in order to keep the network of soil microorganisms in tact. No-Till farming completely resists the use of rototillers, plows, and even deep shoveling or displacement of the soil by hand.

Sustainable = A broad term, but generally speaking, it means to farm in a way that does not harm nor take away from the local ecological and social systems in place. Sustainable farming maintains the current state of health and resists degradation. Sustainable farming uses organic and no-till practices.

Regenerative = To farm in a way that positively adds to and restores the local ecological and social systems. Regenerative farming rebuilds the damage to soil structure and local wildlife that has been caused by harmful, conventional farming. The result is a healthy land, rich in fertility and opportunities for education. Regenerative farming uses organic, no-till and sustainable practices, taking it to the next level.

Most notably, Regenerative farming has the opportunity to play a big part in reversing climate change. Healthy soil microbial systems (which are the backbone of regenerative farming) sequester carbon from the atmosphere into their bodies and hold the carbon in the soil. By never tilling, the sequestered carbon is never released back into the air as harmful Carbon Dioxide and is indefinitely, safely stored beneath our feet. Nature has designed this system and we have all the opportunity in the world to use it!

Very literally, ‘Regenerative’ Farming means we are rebuilding and rejuvenating life on earth. The ‘re-’ is critical for our understanding, because our land, at one time, was full of incredible life. We humans have spent millennia, and most notably the past few decades, effectively destroying life on earth. Through Regenerative farming and gardening, we can restore that lost life. We won’t be able to fully restore it to what it once was, but we can make it 100-fold better than it is now and guarantee a habitable planet for our future generations.

Regenerative farming is an act of RESISTANCE.

cover crops views.jpeg — View from the spring cover crops

So how do we incorporate Regenerative farming & gardening practices in our farm businesses and daily lives in our home gardens?

Here is what you can do with a link to my written guidance:

Step 1 - Familiarize yourself with the Soil Microbiome / Soil Food Web and why No-Till is essential for the health of our gardens- read this blog post!! (there are 2 parts) In it you’ll find my own explanation, along with many great resources to continue your education.

Step 2 - Tell your family and friends what you’ve learned. Knowledge is our most effective, important tool and sharing knowledge is power.

Step 3 - Get excited and start deciding what ways you can change your farm or garden to fall into a life-supporting, regenerative model. Here are some ideas to get you started: (please note, some of these blogs I have written from a flower farming perspective, but ALL of the information can be used for your backyard edible garden)

Cover Crop your garden for soil food web health and natural fertilizing

Start a Biodiverse Compost pile at home to save all your plant waste to create the best soil amendment for your garden

Learn about Organic Fertilizers you can safely use in your garden (applicable for home veggie gardens, too)

Learn why Chemical/Synthetic Fertilizers can never be safely used in a healthy garden

Learn Soil Prep Techniques from a no-till perspective

Learn how No-Till Farming has restored the soil food web & local wildlife on my flower farm

Here’s a List of our Favorite Resources for Veggie Gardening: Tools, Fertilizers, Books, etc.

As of February 2021, I am working on writing about Regenerative farming practices and providing as much practical information as I can for you to apply in your garden. If you’re hoping for a specific topic, please leave a comment!

peace, love, plant magic (and regeneration!)

Fran Parrish