Well that has been a whirlwind of a month gone by in a flash, Festival season well under way, the big one and the smaller but just as buzzing one, Groundswell, where we spent 3 days experiencing a real sense of hope. It was so encouraging to witness so many people and not just farmers out there that actually understand the regeneration of the globe is essential. When the lightbulb moment happens it appears so simple that by adopting REGENERATIVE FARMING PRACTICES IT PUTS CARBON BACK INTO THE SOIL – HEALTHIER FOR THE PLANET, FOR THE ANIMALS AND FOR YOU!
The discussions ranged from topics as overarching as biodiversity conservation, soil health, and carbon sequestration to the specifics of Ultra-Processed Foods, Anti-Microbial Resistance in people and livestock, avoiding toxicity, no till systems, the principles of regenerative agriculture and even the proper PSI for tractor wheels to cause the lowest soil disturbance whilst maintaining yield.
But for all the fantastic talks and debates the best part was a group of people really engaged, excited about the future, especially when a future King came along, tasted our yogurt (YEO VALLEY of course) and sat amongst us listening to the trials and tribulations of managing farms and food systems. One panel I listened to with Jenny Goodman, based on her book Staying Alive in Toxic Times, discussed the level of illness that we’ve come to live with in this modern world, the augmented cancer rates and occurrence of Type 2 diabetes that were unheard of in our grandparents’ generation. Goodman’s approach holistically considers toxic exposure in our modern world, like UPFs, carcinogens in sunscreen and synthetic fabrics.
At the end of the day, there are 2 synchronous battles to focus on:1. Bolstering the regenerative conglomerate of modern agriculturists and ensuring that agricultural products are grown in a way that supports the earth rather than destroying it.
2. Addressing legislators and retailers (consumer facing) to level the playing field and create food/grocery/health/financing systems that implement regenerative outputs in a way that betters human health and reduces environmental toxin exposure.
Form my point of view as a organic regenerative beef farmer if you are concerned about red meat’s impact on your health and the planet, then look towards a more regenerative future with your choices! We must change our diets and regenerate our soils, and well-managed grazing animals are critical to this transition.
The answer to our broken food system is not no meat, it’s better meat.
The real threat to human health and the planet is industrially produced food. We should all agree on this and find a way to move forward, allowing people to choose which version of a real food diet works best for their bodies.
Food sovereignty is something we have to embrace, allowing regional food systems to flourish. But we must be growing food and allow that food to truly trace itself back to regional local real food for local people. There is much work to do, to truly achieve this mission.
We convince ourselves we can control the world when in fact our best effort, and only real hope, is to act as stewards. We need to shift from seeing ourselves as separate from and above nature to seeing ourselves as beings participating with and loving our planet — not just because of what it can provide to us, but because the world in itself is magnificent and complex.
The microbial life within our soils is like another galaxy beneath our feet, so big it is hard to comprehend, trillions of minute bacteria in one handful of soil. If we cannot nurture and regenerate a healthy soil then humanity is heading towards its next extinction, so in my small way we are striving towards a more resilient and healthy future with more and more people becoming more aware of the importance of REAL FOOD.
Basically our current whole food production system from field to the fork focuses on producing foods that make us sick and fat and cause us to die early, rather than on foods that make us healthy, prevent disease, and help us live a long, productive life. Sadly, both the intended and unintended consequences of our global food system provide too much of the bad stuff and not enough good stuff. IT IS KILLING US.
OUR 100% PASTURE FOR LIFE BEEF IS PACKED WITH GOOD FOR YOU OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS – 5X MORE THAN CONVENTIONAL BEEF – IT IS LOW IN CHOLESTEROL AND HIGH IN GOOD FATS LIKE THE FANTASTIC CANCER FIGHTING CLAS!
Deals of the week :-
Purchase your next Meat Box from us with your exclusive 10% discount code – JULYEXCLUSIVE
Valley Fest Tickets for Friends and Family
Podcast I’m Listening to :-
The Real Roots of Disease – Dr. Zach Bush doesn’t keep his ideas in a neat ideological box. Instead, he paints a sweeping picture of our interconnected world — one in which topics such as regenerative farming, bio-engineering, government policy, and the human microbiome are all intimately linked. And while he candidly points out missteps at many levels, he also offers a hopeful vision for humanity.
Quote of the day :-
“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” – Mahatma Gandhi
