Most people—as I did for over 30 years—overlook the importance of grass. It has been relegated by modern society to suburban lawns, soccer fields, golf courses, and strip mall embankments. Though our modern ways too often prevent grass from doing so, this unassuming little plant plays a vital role in the management of the earth's carbon cycle—the reason we have air, food, and water. Simply put, if we hope to grab a hold of runaway climate change and continue to live on a habitable planet...we must not overlook the grass. In fact, that "miracle ally" in the fight against climate change that we're all waiting for...might be right under our feet. OK. Now that the compelling introduction is out of...
Soil is so hot right now. Between the "4 per 1000 Initiative" launched by France during the COP21 conference this year...to last Sunday's New York Times article from Stephanie Strom, "Cover Crops, a Farming Revolution With Deep Roots in the Past,"...to the #CarbonFarmer campaign from Patagonia Provisions, it seems that soil is finally getting the attention it deserves. It does, after all, play a vital role in all of the earth's natural cycles. For this farmer and father, the suddenly-widespread interest in soil comes as a tremendous relief. If we want to live on a planet with a functioning water cycle and carbon cycle and nutrient cycle and so on...we'd better pay more attention to our soil. One of the...
I am thrilled to announce that our humble Vermont Senate Bill 159 has gained the support of two major regenerative agriculture advocacy groups: Kiss the Ground and Regeneration International. We are honored to have their help and support.
They released the following joint press release:
One of the endeavors I'm most excited about, however, has been my work with Senator Brian Campion and the state's fellow soil nerds on, what I'm excited to say is now known as, Vermont Senate Bill 159. If passed, this bill would create—what I believe would be—the world's first regenerative agriculture certification program.
We feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do the work we do here at Studio Hill. We love the land, we love the work, we love the adventure, and we really love the animals. As you already know, we take great care in making sure that all the animals we bring to the farm enjoy safe, relaxed, and natural lives. We want a sheep to be a sheep and a pig to be a pig, and so on. This approach to raising animals, of course, requires frequent and intimate interactions with all the animals here. We haul water, we haul food, we move pens, we scratch heads, we check feet. Over the course of an animal's stay with us...
