sustainable farming practices

This episode of Voices from the Field is an inspiring conversation with a trailblazer in ecological agriculture. In it, Gabriella Soto-Velez, an NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist  in the Gulf States Region, sits down with Christopher Sacco, who needs no introduction for those familiar with sustainable agriculture practices. In 2009, Christopher laid the foundation for Groundswell International, a groundbreaking organization dedicated to empowering small-scale farmers and championing sustainable agriculture methods worldwide.

Fast forward to 2024, and Christopher has stepped away from the helm of Groundswell, but his support and passion for the organization’s mission remains steadfast. Christopher’s journey post-Groundswell led him to establish Aegis Conservation Ecology and Regenerative Development, a consulting firm at the forefront of promoting ecological agriculture and regenerative development.

Christopher and Gabriella delve deep into the heart of ecological agriculture, exploring its transformative potential, evolution, challenges, and pivotal role in shaping sustainable farming practices through the invaluable insights Christopher’s journey has allowed him to bring to the field.

 Related ATTRA Resources:
·        Agroforestry
·        Quick Tips for Agroforestry
·        Agroforestry: An Overview

 Other Resources:
·        Groundswell International
·        Enabling Farmer-led Ecosystem Restoration

Contact Gabriella Soto-Velez at gabriellas@ncat.org.  

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You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

Join us as we welcome Webb Dulin, a dedicated farmer from Maryland's Eastern Shore, who walks us through his transformative journey into grass-fed beef farming. Webb shares his fascinating transition from crop farming to raising cattle, offering a glimpse into the unique challenges he faced due to environmental concerns and the area's high real estate values. Listen in as he reveals the strategies that helped him adapt his family's generational farming legacy into a thriving livestock operation, against the backdrop of a region more known for its crop cultivation than cattle rearing.

Explore the nuances of regenerative agriculture with Webb as he details the ins and outs of starting a grass-fed livestock operation from scratch. Discover the careful considerations that go into selecting the right cattle breeds for grass efficiency and the importance of implementing rotational grazing systems. Webb provides a compelling narrative on the economic aspects of sustainable farming, including the wisdom of growing operations debt-free and the intricate balance between profitability and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

In this episode, we delve into the trials and triumphs of scaling up a beef farming venture, touching on topics from land acquisition to direct-to-consumer marketing strategies. Webb offers insight into how he navigated the turbulent times of the COVID-19 pandemic, pivoting his business model to meet new market demands. He also emphasizes the importance of embracing innovation and community engagement, and he invites fellow farmers to connect with Twin Cedar Farms, a testament to the resilience and adaptability that hallmark modern regenerative farming practices.

Website
https://www.twincedarfarms.com/

Instagram link
https://instagram.com/twincedarfarms?igshid=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg==

Facebook link
https://www.facebook.com/twincedarfarmsllc?mibextid=9R9pXO

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It's estimated that Australian agriculture produces 9.8 million tonnes of pre-farm gate waste annually. AgriFutures Australia have been working with industry to help address this.

In this episode we introduce the newly published report called 'Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry National Waste and Resource Recovery Roadmap'. We have the author of the report join us to explain just how waste is generated on farm, and how we need to deal with it.

Featuring: 

• Dr Anne-Maree Boland, Principal, RMCG