Analyzing Regenerative Farming Practices

Now that you know about some of the most common regenerative farming techniques, let’s watch selections from Farm Hero videos to see real examples of how these techniques are implemented.

Materials:

• Device with internet access

Safety Notes:

• When using technology, engage in safe, legal, and ethical behavior; this applies to devices (hardware), applications or programs (software), and interactions with others.
• There are no anticipated physical safety risks associated with this activity.

Essential Question:

How can the way we farm help or harm the soil and the living things that depend on it?

Regenerative Farming Techniques:

You will see videos from three farms that use regenerative farming techniques. Some farms use a couple of the techniques you’ve learned about, and one featured farm uses all four. Think about what you have read about these techniques as you hear the farmers explain how they implement them in the land they tend.

Crop Rotation:

For examples of crop rotation, we will visit two farms: Farm on Central in Ohio and the Garst family farm and White Rock Conservancy in Iowa.

First, let’s go to Ohio: 

Next, let’s go to Iowa:

Think About It:

• What are the similarities in how crop rotation is used at Farm on Central and the Garst family farm? What are some differences?
• How does crop rotation affect each farm?

Cover Crops:

To discuss cover crops, we will return to Ohio and Iowa, and we will also visit Kansas.

First, back to Ohio:

Next, to Iowa:

And finally, we will travel to Kansas:

Think About It:

• What are the similarities in how cover crops are used at Farm on Central, the Garst family farm, and the farms in Kansas? What are some differences?
• How do cover crops affect each farm?

Composting:

For some words of wisdom on composting, we’ll travel back to Farm on Central in Ohio:

Think About It:

• How is composting used at Farm on Central?
• How does composting affect the farm?

Reduced Tillage:

To talk about tillage, we will return to all three locations.

First, back to Ohio:

Next, to Iowa:

And returning to Kansas:

Think About It:

• What are the similarities in how tillage is discussed at Farm on Central, the Garst family farm, and the farms in Kansas? What are some differences?
• Do any of the farms till the soil? How does tilling, or not tilling, affect each farm?

Reflect and Apply:

1. After watching the videos, which of the techniques do you feel that you understand best? Provide a short description of the technique with examples of how it is implemented on the farm(s).
2. After watching the videos, which of the techniques do you feel that you understand least? Write what you think you know about the technique, and identify what still confuses you.
3. After watching the videos, which of the techniques do you feel is most important to use, or do you think they are equally important? Use examples from the videos to support your answer.
4. Add more details and examples from the videos to extend your explanation of:

• One way farming can harm soil and ecosystems. 
• One way farming can help soil and ecosystems.
• How these changes affect plants, animals, and people. 

You may choose to write a short response, create a labeled diagram, or talk through your thinking with a partner before you begin writing or sketching.

Knowledge Check / Exit Ticket:

Now that you’ve witnessed examples of regenerative farming techniques practiced on three real farms, return to your digital or paper notebook. Add more supporting information and examples, or if the videos have changed your mind, edit your answer to the question:

Which regenerative farming technique would have the greatest impact on soil health in your community? Use evidence from the videos to support your claim.