What was the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Maybe you opened a window to breath in the fresh morning air? Then what did you do? Hop into the shower; brush your teeth; turn on the coffee pot? I’ll bet the smell of coffee made you hungry, so maybe you cooked up breakfast. Scrambled eggs? Oatmeal, maybe? Or just some toast and butter? Fresh air to breathe.
Fresh, clean water for bathing and drinking. Fresh, healthy food to eat. Those are three good reasons to care about regenerative agriculture – and the practice of Holistic Management. HMI’s mission is to teach farmers and ranchers how to manage land sustainably using the Holistic Management methodology in order to promote land health, productivity, and profitability. Holistic Management improves air quality by reducing pollutants, while increasing the amount of carbon sequestered; conserves water, while providing water catchment opportunities; and helps farmers and ranchers produce healthy foods, and raise healthy livestock without the use of unnecessary antibiotics, hormones, fertilizers, and other chemicals. Holistic Management training can positively impact the number of small, sustainably managed farms and ranches; decreasing the need for industrial and factory farms. These smaller farms and ranches create less air pollution, with sustainable ranchers relying on livestock to harvest feed and spread manure. They employ practices that help to conserve water such as low volume irrigation, and rainwater catchment, along with the planting of drought-resistant crops. Regenerative farmers and ranchers grow crops and raise livestock without the use of toxins such as chemical pesticides and fertilizers. By eliminating practices that degrade soil and water, sustainable farmers and ranchers protect the environment by increasing biodiversity, while also supporting the development of healthy ecosystems. Food produced by regenerative farmers and ranchers does not contain pesticides or other chemicals. Livestock have been raised on grass, and antibiotics are never used except for in a medical situation. Regenerative farming and ranching is good for all of us. These farmers and ranchers build sustainable, vibrant rural communities; create good jobs, and support local businesses as well. Finally, regenerative farmers and ranchers treat their animals with respect, allowing animals to move freely, eat a natural diet, while avoiding the high levels of stress associated with unnatural confinement. Remember, we may not all be farmers or ranchers, but we all breathe air, consume water, and eat the food that farmers and ranchers produce. That’s why you should care.