In this interview I’m joined by Peter Lundgard, founder of ‘Nature’s Way Farm’ in Alberta, Canada, to discuss the 12 step programme that he’s developed for assisting farmers in taking up regenerative practices. 

Find the full interview above & watch the short intro animation below!

Jump to the Show Notes.

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Show Notes:

Throughout the episodes on this podcast we’ve learnt of the incredible value of soil and it’s ability to both sequester carbon and provide for our needs through supporting the growth of plants in a regenerative way. None of this is done in isolation and it’s the integrated ecosystems that make it all possible – from the tiny microbial communities in the soil to the large ruminants on the land and everything in between.

Modern agricultural practices are destructive to these functioning ecosystems, and depend instead upon inputs that are produced from fossil fuels.

We now find ourselves at a time when the rising price of oil and the depletion of soils and eco-systems have merged at a point which can’t be ignored.

This issue didn’t pop up overnight – farmers have been juggling with both for a very long time and fortunately there are many who have put their efforts into rethinking how agriculture can be carried out in more regenerative ways that are in harmony with nature.

After studying at agricultural college Peter started a farm in 1978 using the modern methods that he’d been taught.
The changing face of farming at this time and ever rising prices and interest rates saw the farm fail financially within 10 years.

From this point forward Peter set on a journey to build a new farm using the traditional practices that he’d been around as a young boy.
He brought in study and knowledge from a number of sources to create an approach to farming that was supportive rather than destructive to those functioning ecosystems that are so important.

Now with a thriving farm and several decades of experience Peter consults with other budding regenerative farmers to guide them on their journey.

In this interview Peter generously shares the basis of his 12 Step Programme – which forms a ‘how to guide’ to regenerative agriculture.

Use the time stamps below to get an overview of the 12 steps and a sense of what’s included:

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:02:42 – Peter’s Background
00:12:08 – Step 1 – Become Highly Effective
00:14:45 – Step 2 – Holistic Decision Making
00:22:20 – Step 3 – Mineral Balanced Soil
00:27:55 – Step 4 – Create Diverse Ecosystems
00:43:16 – Step 5 – Intensive Plant Cover Management
00:47:37 – Step 6 – Enhance the Rhizosphere
00:54:56 – Step 7 – Build and Maintain Ground Cover
00:57:04 – Step 8 – Minimal Soil Disturbance
01:00:06 – Step 9 – Sequester Carbon
01:06:12 – Step 10 – Monitor – Testing – Measuring
01:09:14 – Step 11 – Climate Rehabilitation
01:15:20 – Step 12 – Build Health & Vitality for the Agrarian Community

The Latest Animation:

What is Regenerative Agriculture?