Allan Savory’s work originated in response to some of the most pressing problems of the world’s grasslands and is often associated with Holistic Planned Grazing. However, did you know that Holistic Management provides a powerful framework for managing any system of complexity?
Holistic Management helps us solve complex problems in any natural resource environment and provides the tools needed to best manage resources for long-term vitality and resilience.
Many people think of Allan Savory’s Holistic Management as a grazing paradigm. In fact, true to its name, Holistic Management is a powerful tool for managing the complexity across your whole operation. And when it comes to complexity, we all know there are few things more complex than human beings!
In Growing a Revolution, David R. Montgomery introduces us to farmers around the world at the heart of a brewing soil health revolution that could bring humanity’s ailing soil back to life remarkably fast. Cutting through standard debates about conventional and organic farming, Montgomery explores why practices based on the principles of conservation agriculture help restore soil health and fertility.
Jacob Miller will discuss using an efficient grazing system to reduce the cost of running cattle while improving soil health. This will include grazing cattle for 365 days a year and the opportunity to capitalize on multi-species grazing.
Josh will be sharing his experiences how he uses no-till, rotation, cover crops, herbicides, and timing to control weeds. Emphasis will be put on how he is using cover crops to control weeds so that he is building his soils and achieving long term benefits, as opposed to just using herbicides which only provide weed control.
John will explain the basics of our underground ecosystem of the soil food web. He will provide a farmer’s perspective on how utilizing no-till, diversity, livestock, and cover crops can keep this hungry zoo beneath our feet fed. By having a basic understanding of the systems of the bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes beneath our feet, farmers will leave with a better idea of how to manage their farms. By making management decisions with the soil food web in mind farmers will be better able to increase water infiltration, nutrient cycling, and overall soil health.
Regeneration of our soils led to rejuvenation of our lives. When Ginger and I began the path of soil health we never dreamed how it would change our soil, much less our life. We used to ride tractors 1000's of hours every year. Which translates into things like depreciation, wear and tear, parts and lots of money. Our lifestyle and family time suffered just as much with so much work to do all of the time. Jimmy will share his life changing story of their soils and their lives.
Brice started introducing cover crops into a no-till cropping rotation in western Kansas because of a fire. Left with bare soils with high pH, Brice knew it was going to blow if he did not get the ground covered. After planting this cover crop he was satisfied with the results and this led to trying some as a fallow replacement.
Adam will share his family’s transition to a soil health farming system. They utilize multiple strategies to and innovative cropping practices, including cotton in the rotation, to suppress resistant weeds. Hear how the Chappell’s quickly transitioned their farm away from conventional tillage just for survival, but now are reaping the benefits of soil health.
High cost of inputs and low commodity prices impact farmers bottom line. Increase your understanding on how the Dr. Rick Haney test is one good indicator of soil function. This talk will also focus on other soil indicators or tests to determine soil function. Learn how to proper determine NPK needs for your soil. Reduce your need for man made chemical fertility.
It is important to understand that organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium do not determine plant health in the early stages of plant growth-learn why!
