In this webinar, we had a wide-ranging conversation about regenerative agriculture and the ever-growing landscape of regenerative agriculture certification. We explored how these frameworks can empower farmers to adopt holistic practices that restore soil health, preserve biodiversity, and enhance resilience to climate change. The number one priority in regenerative organic agriculture is soil health. With regenerative organic agriculture, we can rehabilitate soil, respect animal welfare, and improve the lives of farmers. We can sequester carbon, build healthier communities, and reap more nutritious and abundant yields. Listen in and learn what decisions you can make to strive for regenerative agriculture efforts on your land.
Our expert presenter was Lea Vereecke, Organic Agronomist and Regional Manager with Rodale Consulting Services. Léa grew up on a grain farm in Northeastern France and earned an M.S. in Agronomy and Agroecology before moving to the U.S. in 2016. For the following five years, she was a Research Specialist with Dr. Erin Silva at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There, she oversaw organic research projects on various topics including cover crop-based reduced tillage systems, cover crops, row crops, small grains, and industrial hemp production. She joined the Rodale Institute Consulting team in January 2021 and is thrilled to work for a renowned organization as an Organic Agronomist and Regional Manager. She has always been fascinated by sustainable agronomic crop production, and keeping strong relationships with farmers continues to motivate and inform her work.
Our experienced landowner presenter was Michelle Cannon of Larryville Gardens - a woman-run produce operation and farmstand in Burlington, WI. Michelle’s journey is an interesting one. She was raised without any exposure to farming or gardening, with the exception of one of her uncles, who always had tomato plants under lights in his house, and raspberries in his yard. When Michelle met the love of her life, Larry, he wanted a garden so together they put in a huge garden with over 100 tomato plants. She quickly learned she hated canning but fell in love with gardening.
In 2001, she and her husband moved into their self-built dream home that came with 11 acres of wetlands, woods, and conventional farmland. While building their home, they experimented with the land. Michelle gardened, Larry farmed..but they had different strategies. Michelle started market gardening in 2008, took over managing their land, and in 2010, quit her job and farmed - HER WAY!
Restoring the land to healthy, vital soil is what she had aimed for, and she used many different tools to accomplish that: time, contour tillage, cover crops, organic matter, berms, swales, buffer strips, soil testing, and adding mineral amendments. Most recently, food grade grains are helping make some income off of the last soils to be ready for vegetables. Michelle shared: “It has amazed me how little needed to be done and how fast it could change. The earth wants to heal itself and does, as soon as we stop damaging it. I’ll be forever grateful for this opportunity to steward this small piece of the world, back to its glory, back to the future.”
Key links from the chat:
Rodale Midwest Organic Center Field Day (Marion, Iowa), July 9
Regenerative Organic Framework, “the North Star”
Organic is the Answer toolkits
Organic Practices and Climate-Smart Agriculture: How Organic Mitigates Climate Change - Crosswalk and Resources
US Organic Hotspots and their benefits to local economies
David Bronner, Regenerative Agriculture: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
About Wisconsin Women in Conservation
WiWiC is a state-wide collaborative effort led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with Wisconsin Farmers Union, Renewing the Countryside and Marbleseed (formerly MOSES). A five-year multi-faceted project funded by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), WiWiC brings together Wisconsin's women landowners, farmers, farm workers, urban growers, and conservation professionals to connect and share about conservation practices, resources, and funding opportunities.
WiWiC Disclaimer
While the Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WIWiC) project strives to make the information provided to individuals as timely and accurate as possible, we make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of our webinars. The information presented is solely the speakers’ expressed views and WiWiC expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents. WiWiC also does not recommend any of the businesses that may come up in the course of the presentations.
Did you know we have a podcast? www.wiwic.org/news
Join our WiWiC listserv! Send an email to info@wiwic.org to join
Did you know we have a blog? www.wiwic.org/blog