Defining It

Measuring it
What is regenerative ag? There are many right answers. We want longevity of the land, environment, and climate. So, we farm using techniques focused on protecting and building our resources. Most of these techniques are designed to mimic nature; no-till, living roots in the soil, and plant diversity, while others, such as variable rate fertilization, are designed to protect the environment and be efficient with the resources we need. 
We work with Precision Conservation Management (PCM), an company that works with the University of Illinois and the Natural Resources and Conservation Service to rank and track conservation efforts. The more environmentally friendly practices a producer adopts, the more their score improves. This allows landowners to see how their land is being used, and shows grain buyers how sustainable different suppliers are. 

Why Does It Matter?

​Many of today’s farming practices have serious effects on the environment, climate, and the long-term productive capacity of the soil. Tillage hurts soil life, adds to atmospheric CO2, and causes erosion. Illinois’s last agricultural land survey estimated that an average of 4.1 tons of soil/acre are lost every year from farmland. Overfertilization and erosion contribute to environmental pollution through poisoning of lakes and rivers. Overuse/misuse of pesticides harms beneficial species and causes resistance to chemicals. All of these impact the long-term ability to produce enough food for the growing population. 
Severe soil erosion. Effect of no residue/plant life protecting soil and destruction of soil structure from tillage.
Eutrophication of Lake Erie from fertilizer rich water. It causes death of river/lake wildlife.

How does this look??

​“Standard” Practices
  1. Ground is tilled, 1+ times
  2. Crop is planted, GMO seed, whether needed or not
  3. Crop is fertilized
  4. Herbicide is used 2+ times
  5. Fungicide/Insecticides may be used to increase yield, even if no significant diseases are present
  6. Crop is harvested
  7. Ground is tilled and remains barren until next year when crop is planted, fertilizer is spread
 
Under this system, land is left without plant life for long stretches of time and little residue is there to protect the surface from erosion. With no living roots, soil life is reduced. Use of GMO crops and pesticides when often unwarranted promote chemical resistance.
Our Practices
  1. Cover crop is planted after previous crop is harvested. It is terminated by herbicide before planting the cash crop
  2. Cash crop, non GMO, is planted into untilled soil, fertilizer is applied with planter
  3. Herbicides are applied as needed
  4. Fungicides/Insecticides are applied if there is sufficient need from pests. 
  5. Cash crop is harvested and cover crops are planted

​Under our system, there are almost always living roots in the soil protecting it and feeding soil life. Fertilizers are placed when and where the plants need them, increasing efficiency. Pesticides are applied only when needed. After crops are removed, cover crop planting keeps soils protected and active from fall to spring.