RegeNErate Nebraska Virtual Farm Tour #1 – Little Mountain Ranch and Garden
Come along, as the RegeNErate Nebraska network visits local farms for a first-hand look into the benefits and challenges of regenerative farming practices. This 5-part series will highlight the many ways that the next generation of Nebraska farmers are reclaiming their independence by putting health back into the soil.
The first farm tour is with Little Mountain Ranch and Garden near Fort Calhoun, NE with farmer Billy Alward. They have created a sustainable farm through diversifying crops, implementing solar energy and battery storage, rotational grazing with pigs in the woods and grass-fed beef, producing organic vegetables and using chemical-free products.
*Regenerative farming and ranching practices used in Nebraska include minimizing tillage, muilti-species cover cropping, multiple crop rotations, implementation of livestock back onto the soil accompanied by holistic grazing practices, agro-forestry with tree intercropping, silvopasture on grazing lands, and degraded rangeland restoration.
These videos are sponsored by RegeNErate Nebraska network partners Nebraska Communities United and the Nebraska Sustainable Agricultural Society.
II. Q’anjob’al Food Sovereignty Collaborative
Taylor Keen, Founder of Sacred Seed, interviewed at Sacred Seed Pop Up, 12th & Leavenworth, Omaha, NE Luis Marcos, of Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim, discusses his gratitude in partnering with the Sacred Seed Pop Up, No More Empty Pots, and RegeNErate Nebraska.
Spiritual and Political Leaders of the Q’anjob’al Maya Nation lead the Opening Ceremony at the Moses Organic Farming Conference where Reginaldo Haslet-Marroquin of the Regenerative Ag Alliance (RAA) was honored with the 2020 Change Maker Award.
In partnership with RAA, the Q’anjob’al is also working on a Maya Community Regenerative Agriculture Project. This project will serve as a stepping stone towards accomplishing a vision that will allow Tribal members to refocus their community and re-start their lives here in Nebraska with full purpose, and in harmony with Mother Nature.
Pixan Ixim envisions a community-based regenerative farming system that can anchor the community’s ancient relationship with Mother Earth, achieve food sovereignty, increase access to highly nutritious healthy foods, create new employment opportunities, restore ancient traditions and culture, and support the community’s physical and mental health.
Laura Priest and Laura Thomas of GC Resolve capture the RegeNErate Nebraska project in a recent visit to the pop up’s pollinator, edible, and four sisters garden beds in downtown Omaha.
III. Tree-Range Chicken Cluster Development
The Label, The Standard.
“The Design” is courtesy of Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin.
Hazelnuts, elderberries, and the chicken. Photo courtesy of Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin.
IV. Ecosystems Services and Carbon Credits for Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers
Agroforestry sinks carbon. Photo courtesy of Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin.
Well-managed grazing and silvopasture sink carbon.
Cover crops sink carbon. Photo courtesy of Justin Petry
V. Inner City Food Sovereignty Blueprint Discussions
North Omaha residents have less access to highly nutritious food than almost all cities in the Midwest.
It is a human right that everyone has access to nutritionally dense food.
Conversations are beginning around the development of an urban plan to achieve complete food sovereignty.
VI. Farmer Led Informational Meetings (Transitioning To Regenerative Ag Risk Adverse)
The Govier brothers inform other Central Nebraska farmers and ranchers about the benefits of regenerative agriculture. Photo courtesy of Kerry Hoffschneider.
More Nebraska farmers and ranchers are understanding the relationship between increased soil health and profitability. Photo courtesy of Kerry Hoffschneider.
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin of the Regenerative Ag Alliance introduces the ‘Tree-Range Label’ for regenerative chickens to a group of farmers in Northeast Nebraska.
VII. Soil Health Education and Training
The Solution Lies In The Soil.
The Apostle of Regenerative Ag raised his organic matter over 4% in 10 years with no synthetic nutrient expenses.
Nate Knows Soil. Photo courtesy of Kerry Hoffschneider.
VIII. RegeNErative Community Development and Planning
RegeNErate Co-Founder Graham Christensen preaches the power of strong community to rural Nebraskans. Photo courtesy of Patrick Kerrigan.Residents of Nebraska and Kansas tour Northfield, MN to better understand how to build green communities around local food systems. Photo courtesy of Patrick Kerrigan.
