Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainable Stewardship

Regenerative agriculture [2], [3], [4] involves improving, not depleting, the resources used. Cora and Mike’s methods emphasize the symbiotic relationship between the animals and the land, ensuring that both thrive in a balanced and healthy environment. For example, at Kirkview Farms, the donkey ensures that chickens can roam freely and safely. In Figure 1, Cora shows her appreciation to Poppy with a kiss, thanking him for keeping her chickens safe. This image encapsulates the deep bond and mutual respect between the farmers and their animals.

Cora and Mike move their chickens daily. Rotating pastures allows chickens to forage naturally, enriching their diet and reducing external feed by 20% . This practice also allows the land to recover and rejuvenate, maintaining its fertility and health. Figure 2 shows Mike manually pulling the chicken fence to move the chickens to their next pasture. This hands-on approach is a hallmark of the low-capital, maker-style philosophy that Kirkview Farms embodies.

Turkeys at Kirkview Farms receive 40% of their diet from fresh grass. Cora and Mike regularly move the turkey cages to new pastures, allowing the birds to forage naturally. This practice reduces feed costs and enhances the turkeys’ health and the quality of their meat, but it requires a daily effort to manually move the cages. Figure 3 shows Cora and Mike working in a pair as they prepare to move the turkey enclosures.

Figure 3.Cora and Mike preparing to move the turkey enclosures. Photographers: AnnLouise Davidson and Sylvain Jean Durocher.

Rotational grazing [5] is fundamental to regenerative agriculture. Mike refers to his cattle as “Solar powered carbon sequestrating nutrient cycling high-density protein producing bovines.” As the cattle graze, their saliva can stimulate growth in plants from the top (Figure 4). Then, their feces contribute to the soil’s organic matter, enhancing its fertility from the bottom. This natural fertilization process is crucial for maintaining the soil’s health and productivity. The cattle, in turn, benefit from fresh, nutrient-rich forage, leading to healthier livestock and high-quality meat. Figure 5 shows Mike moving the cows to another pasture.

Kirkview Farms’s regenerative agriculture practices extend to various aspects of farming, creating a diverse and resilient ecosystem. It also includes water management [7], composting for the garden soil, and biodiversity [8]. Figure 10 shows an alfalfa flower that will propagate the plant and feed the bees who also pollinate many of the vegetables in the garden.

Figure 10. Alfalfa flowering. Photographers: Ann-Louise Davidson and Sylvain Jean Durocher.

Kirkview Farms exemplifies the impact and promise of regenerative agriculture. Creating organic, nonGMO, nutrient-dense food involves intensive manual labor, innovative solutions, and a deep commitment to sustainable practices. The farmers operate with low capital, often employing maker-style techniques to get the job done. This includes everything from hand-moving fences to inventing water delivery systems.

Despite the challenges, the rewards are significant. The farm produces high-quality food that is not only good for the consumers but also for the environment. The regenerative practices ensure that the land remains productive for future generations, embodying a true model of sustainability [7].

Our photographs capture the dedication and passion involved in running the farm, revealing the practice behind true sustainability. This farming approach goes beyond land ownership and food production; it is about caring for the land and building a legacy of health and abundance for future generations.