Some popular Questions we get!
Regenerative farming (FAQs)
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Basics & definitions
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Q: What is regenerative agriculture, in simple terms?
A: A management approach that rebuilds soil health and ecosystem function—improving organic matter, biodiversity, water holding, and profitability—by minimizing disturbance and maximizing living roots.
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Q: How is regenerative farming different from organic farming?
A: Organic restricts certain inputs; regenerative focuses on outcomes (soil function, biodiversity, carbon). A farm can be both organic and regenerative—or neither.
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Q: Can regenerative practices work on small farms and backyard plots?
A: Yes. Start with mulch/compost, diverse plantings, minimal tillage, and living groundcover. Small areas often show quicker soil improvements.
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Q: What are the core principles of regenerative agriculture?
A: Keep soil covered, minimize disturbance, maintain living roots, maximize diversity, integrate biology/livestock when feasible, and manage by context.
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Q: How long does it take to see results from regenerative practices?
A: Early signs (better infiltration, less crusting) can appear in one season; measurable organic matter and profitability shifts usually take 2–5 years.
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Q: Does regenerative farming increase yields or just soil health?
A: Both are possible. Many operations see steadier yields, lower input risk, and improved margins as soils function better and water stress declines.
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Q: Is there a certification for “regenerative” farms?
A: Several voluntary programs exist. Most growers start by tracking outcomes (infiltration, SOM, biology) to demonstrate regeneration without formal certification.
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Soil health & testing
Q: What is soil organic matter and why does it matter?
A: SOM is decomposed plant/animal material that fuels microbes, stores nutrients/water, and stabilizes structure—key to resilience and fertility.
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Q: How do I test soil biology, not just N-P-K?
A: Add microbial and respiration tests (e.g., COâ‚‚ burst), active carbon, aggregation, and sometimes
microscopy; pair with standard soil and tissue tests.
Q: What’s a good baseline for soil organic carbon on arid/desert soils?
A: Many desert soils start low (often <1%). Aim for steady annual gains tied to residue, cover crops, and biological inputs.
Q: How often should I run soil and tissue tests on a regenerative program?
A: Soil annually (post-harvest or pre-plant), tissue at key growth stages, plus periodic biology/respiration to track progress.
Q: What are early signs my soil microbiome is improving?
A: Faster infiltration, better crumb structure, less crusting, reduced salt/alkalinity symptoms, and more uniform crop vigor with the same or less inputs.
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Cover crops & rotations
Q: Best cover crops for dry climates (e.g., Arizona and the Southwest)?
A: Drought-tolerant mixes: sorghum-sudangrass, millet, cowpea, sunn hemp, mustard/radish (targeted), with low seeding rates to conserve moisture.
Q: What cover crop mixes work under orchard/vineyard rows?
A: Low-growing grasses/legumes (e.g., fescue, clover, medic), plus flowering strips for beneficials; manage undervine with mowing or targeted mulch.
Q: How do I terminate cover crops without herbicides or tillage?
A: Crimping at anthesis, timed mowing, grazing, or occultation. Choose species with predictable maturity windows for clean termination.
Q: Can cover crops reduce irrigation needs?
A: Yes over time. Improved aggregation and SOM increase water holding; smart species selection and timing prevent short-term moisture competition.
Q: Which rotations help break pest and disease cycles?
A: Alternate plant families, include non-hosts, add “bio-fumigant” brassicas thoughtfully, and vary planting/harvest windows to disrupt pest timing.
Tillage, residue & compaction
Q: Is no-till realistic in my crop system?
A: Often partially. Many high-value crops succeed with “minimum disturbance”: strip-till, in-row forks, or targeted cultivation rather than full inversion.
Q: How do I transition from conventional tillage to reduced/no-till?
A: Start with fewer passes, keep residues, seed covers, and use biologicals like Terreplenish to accelerate residue breakdown and aggregation.
Q: What’s the best way to manage residue in high-value crops?
A: Even distribution, sharp blades, occasional sizing, and microbial amendments to speed decomposition while keeping soil covered.
Q: How do I fix compaction layers without ripping?
A: Deep-rooted covers (radish, sorghum-sudan, sunn hemp), controlled traffic, higher SOM, and
moisture-aware field operations.
Amendments & biology
Q: Do microbial inoculants actually work? What should I look for on a label?
A: They can when matched to need and environment. Look for clear species/CFU, stability data, application rates, and real-world use in similar systems.
Q: What’s the role of compost and compost teas in regenerative systems?
A: Compost builds stable carbon and inoculates biology; teas/extracts provide quick biological contact. Quality and sanitation are critical.
Q: How do biofertilizers compare to synthetic fertilizers on yield and cost?
A: Biofertilizers can improve nutrient efficiency and resilience, allowing lower synthetic rates over time. Track ROI via yield and input savings.
Q: Can nano-bubbles or increased dissolved oxygen help irrigation water and soil biology?
A: Higher DO can enhance microbial activity and root function. Pair with good filtration and biology (e.g., Terreplenish) for best effect.
Q: Are humic and fulvic acids worth it in alkaline, high-pH soils?
A: Often yes. They chelate nutrients, buffer salts, and aid root uptake; results improve when combined with organic matter and biology.
Water, salinity & drought
Q: How does regenerative farming improve water infiltration and retention?
A: Residue cover, living roots, and microbial glues form stable aggregates that let water in and hold it longer.
Q: What practices help manage salty irrigation water or sodic soils?
A: Gypsum (when sodium-driven), organic matter, frequent small irrigations for leaching, salt-tolerant covers, and DO-rich water.
Q: How can I cut evap losses in furrow or flood irrigation systems?
A: Residue/cover, night irrigation, shorter sets, and laser leveling. Transition to drip where feasible for big gains.
Q: Are drip systems compatible with compost teas or biological products?
A: Yes with filtration (100–200 mesh), agitation, and line sanitation. Use screened extracts rather than particulate teas.
Livestock integration
Q: What is adaptive grazing and how does it regenerate grasslands?
A: Short, high-density grazing with long rests stimulates deep roots, litter cover, and carbon accrual, improving forage and soil health.
Q: Can I mob-graze cover crops in annual cropping systems?
A: Yes if soils are dry/firm; follow with long rests and re-establish covers quickly to keep living roots.
Q: How do I prevent compaction when integrating livestock?
A: Avoid saturated soils, rotate water/mineral sites, manage stock density and timing, and maintain thick groundcover.
Economics & incentives
Q: What’s the ROI of switching to regenerative practices?
A: ROI often improves via reduced inputs, steadier yields, and lower risk. Track net margin, not just yield, over 2–5 years.
Q: Are there grants or NRCS programs that support regenerative transitions?
A: Yes. Many practices—covers, reduced till, nutrient management—qualify. Document outcomes to strengthen applications.
Q: Can I get paid for carbon sequestration or ecosystem services?
A: Some programs pay for verified outcomes. Ensure measurement methods align with your cropping system and contracts are flexible.
Crop-specific (examples)
Q: Regenerative practices for vineyards (grapes)?
A: Permanent alleys, undervine mulch, targeted covers, canopy airflow, and biology (e.g., Terreplenish) to support nutrient cycling and resilience.
Q: Regenerative hemp production tips?
A: Seed into firm, mulched beds; diversify covers; spoon-feed nutrients based on tissue tests; minimize disturbance to protect root biology.
Q: Regenerative strategies for leafy greens with strict food safety rules?
A: Use well-made composts, surface mulches, precise drip, low-lying covers away from harvest zones, and rigorous sanitation/testing.
Q: How do regenerative practices change nutrient programs for tree nuts or citrus?
A: More emphasis on organic matter, biology, and in-season tissue tests; often lower synthetic N with steadier uptake.
Weeds, disease & food safety
Q: Will fewer fertilizers and more biology increase disease risk?
A: Balanced nutrition and active biology typically reduce stress-driven diseases. Use clean water/compost and good airflow to manage risk.
Q: How do I handle herbicide-resistant weeds without more chemistry?
A: Diverse rotations, residue/cover suppression, stale seedbeds, competitive planting densities, and mechanical/thermal tactics.
Q: Do cover crops increase rodent or pathogen risk in orchards and produce?
A: Risk is manageable with mowing, clean harvest strips, water testing, and wildlife exclusion where needed.
Records & measurement
Q: What KPIs prove regeneration?
A: Infiltration rate, aggregate stability, SOM/active carbon, tissue efficiency, water use per unit yield, and net margin.
Q: How do I run a simple rainfall-infiltration test on my farm?
A: Use a ring infiltrometer (or cut pipe), pour a known volume of water, and time infiltration; repeat across fields and seasons.
Q: What’s a practical regen “starter checklist” for year 1?
A: Reduce one tillage pass, seed a simple cover, add compost or biology (e.g., Terreplenish), keep residue, and begin KPI tracking.
Integrated pest management (IPM) (FAQs)
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Fundamentals
Q: What is IPM and how is it different from “spray on a schedule”?
A: IPM uses monitoring and thresholds to combine cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical controls—spraying only when justified.
Q: What are the five major IPM control types?
A: Cultural, biological, mechanical/physical, chemical, and host resistance (varieties/rootstocks).
Q: Can IPM be used in both conventional and organic systems?
A: Absolutely. IPM is a decision framework that fits any production system.
Scouting & monitoring
Q: How do I build a weekly scouting plan for my farm?
A: Map blocks, set routes, sample consistently, use traps, record counts/phenology, and link notes to action thresholds.
Q: What is an economic threshold vs. an action threshold?
A: Economic: pest level where losses exceed control cost. Action: earlier, practical level to intervene before economic loss.
Q: Which traps should I use for which pests?
A: Pheromone traps for specific moths/borers, sticky cards for flying sap-feeders, delta traps for monitoring moth pressure trends.
Q: How do I use degree-day models to time sprays?
A: Track heat units from a biofix (first sustained capture) to predict life stages and target the most vulnerable window.
Biological control
Q: Which beneficial insects control aphids, mites, and caterpillars?
A: Aphids: lady beetles, lacewings, parasitoids. Mites: predatory mites. Caterpillars: Trichogramma, tachinids, and generalist predators.
Q: How do I conserve natural enemies when I must spray?
A: Choose selective chemistries, spray at night/low bloom activity, avoid tank mixes that spike toxicity, and maintain refuge flowers.
Q: Are commercial biocontrol releases effective in open fields?
A: Yes when timed to early infestations, supported by habitat, and protected from broad-spectrum sprays.
Q: How do banker plants and insectary strips work?
A: They provide nectar, pollen, and alternate hosts to sustain beneficials between pest outbreaks.
Cultural & preventative tactics
Q: How do crop rotation and planting dates reduce pest pressure?
A: They disrupt pest life cycles, reduce host availability, and help avoid peak pest windows.
Q: Do cover crops increase or decrease pest problems?
A: Both are possible; diverse mixes and timely termination usually shift systems toward beneficials and reduced outbreaks.
Q: What sanitation steps matter most after harvest or pruning?
A: Remove or chop infected material, manage mummies, clean tools, and control volunteer hosts/weedy bridges.
Q: How does irrigation management affect disease incidence?
A: Short, targeted sets and good airflow reduce leaf wetness—cutting foliar disease risk substantially.
Mechanical & physical controls
Q: Are exclusion nets practical for high-value crops?
A: Yes for birds, some moths, and hail; ensure proper mesh, venting, and pollination plans.
Q: Can mulches suppress weeds and certain soil pests?
A: Organic mulches block light; plastic or paper mulches suppress weeds and some pests, while preserving soil moisture.
Q: What cultivation tools minimize weed seedbanks without heavy tillage?
A: High-residue cultivators, finger/weeder tools, and shallow stale-seedbed passes timed to flushes.
Chemical controls & resistance
Q: How do I pick chemistries that spare beneficials?
A: Use selectives with lower non-target impact, soft adjuvants, and precise timing; verify with local guides.
Q: What’s the best way to rotate modes of action?
A: Alternate IRAC/FRAC groups across generations, not just sprays; avoid repeated sub-lethal doses.
Q: How do I avoid resistance when pressure is high?
A: Start with sanitation and biology, then use full-label rates, tight intervals, and true rotations—no back-to-back same MOA.
Q: Are oils, soaps, and biopesticides strong enough for commercial production?
A: Yes when started early, applied thoroughly, and integrated with other tactics; they’re softer on beneficials.
Disease management
Q: How do I forecast foliar disease risk from weather?
A: Combine leaf wetness/humidity, temperature, and canopy density; use models and local alerts to time preventatives.
Q: What cultural practices reduce powdery mildew and botrytis in vineyards?
A: Canopy thinning, airflow, balanced irrigation/nitrogen, and timely sanitation; integrate softer preventatives first.
Q: Can biologicals replace copper or sulfur in arid climates?
A: Often partially. Biologicals and films can reduce reliance; maintain rotation for resistance and coverage.
Weed management
Q: How do I set an IPM plan for herbicide-resistant weeds?
A: Diversify tactics: competitive covers/crops, harvest weed seed control, mechanical passes, and true MOA rotations.
Q: Best integrated strategies for Palmer amaranth, kochia, or waterhemp?
A: Start clean, dense canopies, layered residuals where allowed, timely cultivation, and zero-tolerance on escapes.
Q: Do cover crops and residue reduce pre-emerge herbicide needs?
A: Often yes; thick mulch suppresses germination, allowing lower rates or fewer applications.
Records, compliance & food safety
Q: What records should I keep for an IPM audit?
A: Scouting logs, trap counts, thresholds, decisions, product/MOA use, weather notes, and maps.
Q: How do I document thresholds and decisions for GAP/FSMA compliance?
A: Use dated forms tying observations to actions; keep sanitizer, water, and equipment logs aligned with SOPs.
Q: What’s a simple digital template for scouting notes and maps?
A: A weekly block-by-block sheet with pest/beneficial counts, phenology, photos, and GPS pins.
Protected culture / greenhouse IPM
Q: Best IPM practices for greenhouse whitefly, thrips, and spider mites?
A: Screened vents, sticky cards, banker plants, early biocontrol releases, and humidity/temperature setpoints that disadvantage pests.
Q: How do I prevent biological incompatibilities in mixed releases?
A: Check supplier compatibility charts, stagger releases, and provide diverse habitat/resources.
Q: Are UV-blocking films or supplemental lighting affecting pest cycles?
A: Yes; they can suppress certain pests or alter behavior. Re-calibrate scouting frequency when environments change.