Soil is the main provider of life on planet Earth. The soil is a natural resource without which there would be no food to drive living beings’ existence on Earth. But have you ever thought about what will happen if the soil gets exhausted? Regenerative agriculture is the practical solution to such a crisis. Added to this is the digitalisation of organic practices, and there you have an aptly appropriate and eco-friendly farming approach. Farm owners contemplating this innovative and sustainable solution can learn about regenerating farming through regenerative agriculture school programs.
The blog post will explore practical fieldwork included in regenerative agriculture school programs through which you will get comprehensive knowledge about the different farming processes involved in the regenerative form of agriculture.
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What is Regenerative Agriculture?
Before digging into the practical fieldwork in regenerative agriculture school programs, let’s understand what regenerative agriculture means. It is a farming practice focusing on regenerating and revitalising soil health practices like decreased tillage, cover cropping, and crop rotation. It means the fusion of sustainable farming methodologies to restore and improve the ecosystem of the farmland. Regenerative agriculture is a farming philosophy that aims to heal the planet and regenerate natural resources, especially soil, rather than exhausting them.
Practical Fieldwork In Regenerative Agriculture School Programs
When enrolled in the regenerative agriculture school, during the third week of your course, you will visit the farm, where you will live, work, learn, and get hands-on experience with the various processes of regenerative farming practices. The following is what you will do at the farm:-
- Morning Farm Practical Activities- In the morning, you will be engaged in the following practical fieldwork:
- How to prepare and convert a bed of yearly crops
- Seeding
- Watering
- Harvesting
- Feed a cow
- Setting up an irrigation and electric fencing
- Herbalism
- Forestry
- Fire mitigation project work
Noon Barn Classroom Time Practical work- In the afternoon, you will be engaged in the following practical fieldwork:-
- Building farm business models
- Soil carbon building
- Study soil in detail, including its principles, health practices, etc.
How to manage water resources
- Engage in guest talks in the evening and enjoy table group meals.
- Explore culinary locations with native chefs and attend film screenings.
- Visit and explore other nearby farms.
- Make a precise presentation of the farming climate action plan.
- Collaborate with others for ongoing projects and practical work.
- Learn how to raise livestock and integrate them into the farming system.
- Practical and hands-on experience in regenerative farming practices like no-till farming, organic cropping, agroforestry, perennial cropping, and crop diversification.
Besides working with farmers, you will be shown real-world projects that native food system stakeholders define. A few practical works include:-
- Modelling the greenhouse gas effect
- Create a Farm Resilience map highlighting the risks of climate change, susceptibilities, and opportunities.
- Build new business models based on climate change and interaction materials for farms hosting practical fieldwork in regenerative agriculture school programs.
When you are at the farm, the special events and activities listed below are a part of practical work included in regenerative agriculture school programs:
- Explore farmer’s markets and prepare a fresh meal with locally and seasonally sourced ingredients.
- Taste local wine, or go for salmon fishing or crabbing.
- Engage in a question-and-answer session with a local chef and enjoy an on-farm meal.
During your stay at the farm, you will be required to join small groups to discuss the following:-
- Presentations, questions-and-answer sessions on farm plans, carbon plans, and more will be led by farmers at the farm.
- Discussions on challenges and opportunities related to regenerative farming and food systems.
- Network with others on the farm to find your food or farm collaborators and co-founders for future projects.
Steps to Design Practical Fieldwork in Regenerative Agriculture School Programs
Here are the ways to design practical fieldwork in regenerative agriculture school programs:
- Figuring out the learning goals and results of practical fieldwork
- Opt for the field sites to match the goals and results
- Adequately planning field activities and tasks that will let students achieve learning goals
- Developing assessment methods and tools for measuring student’s performance
Conclusion
“Regenerative Agriculture School” intends to bring diversified professionals to set up climate-volatile food systems from the production and consumption stage to waste disposal and partners. Whether you are searching to shift into small-scale farming or helping others do the same thing, this course program is a chance to up your game in regenerative agriculture.
Beyond the regenerative agriculture program, the article digs into the practical fieldwork in regenerative agriculture school programs. This type of agriculture is necessary for feeding the world while also trying to curb the impacts of climate change. Soil has a long renewal process, and when erosion and runoff deplete it, some people underestimate its worth. Hence, searching for alternate agriculture techniques is necessary to avoid displacement due to climate and famine issues. By exploring the school for regenerative agriculture, you can collectively work together to promote agriculture.