The Ecolearn Buzz-term for 2024 – Community and Circular Regenerative Agriculture – will kick off with a vertical grow micro farm to feed food banks in Mablethorpe.
Despite no external funding all year our Micro farm at Kenwick Park survived and thrived. The network of super growers and volunteers continued to bathe in the warm glow of a unique health and wellbeing intervention that just did not seem to tick the boxes of the powers that be aka ‘the NHS funded Gatekeepers’.
We dug deep and then the Railways helped us build the first SOW STUDY SUSTAIN micro farm at a UK school (See Benjamin Adlard). We kept the faith that we would eventually be given some land by Mablethorpe Council and got confirmation – the perfect Christmas present – last week.
So what are we building and what are the benefits?
A regenerative agriculture micro farm operating within a circular economy framework can offer Environmental, Economic and Social benefits to our communities in very interesting ways.
Environmental benefits:
- Improved soil health: Regenerative practices like cover cropping, no-till farming, and super composting build organic matter and increase soil biodiversity, leading to enhanced water retention, reducing dependence on irrigation. You enjoy reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, protecting waterways. This increases carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change.
- Reduced pollution: Circular micro farm systems eliminate waste generation by recycling and repurposing resources. This means no synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, reducing water and air pollution.
- Increased biodiversity: Diverse crops and habitats attract pollinators and beneficial insects, creating a more resilient ecosystem. This supports natural pest control, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. Improved pollination services, boost agricultural yields.
Economic benefits:
- Enhanced food security: Locally produced, diverse food creates a more resilient food system, less vulnerable to external disruptions. This leads to increased access to healthy, nutritious food for the community. Scale up and we have the potential for creating local jobs in food production and processing.
- Reduced dependence on external inputs: Recycling resources and producing on-site inputs, like compost, minimises reliance on external companies. This results in zero or much lower operating costs for the farm. This means less vulnerability to price fluctuations of external inputs.
- Innovation and knowledge sharing: Micro farms can serve as learning centers, demonstrating sustainable practices and inspiring others. This fosters knowledge sharing and community engagement in sustainable agriculture. There is also potential for attracting grants and investments for further research and development in regenerative agriculture. (good luck with the latter, in Lincolnshire the gatekeepers have short arms and deep pockets!
Social benefits:
- Increased community resilience: Local food production and reduced dependence on external resources enhance community self-sufficiency. This contributes to greater food security and disaster preparedness and stronger social bonds and community cohesion.
- Improved health and well-being: Access to fresh, locally grown food promotes healthy diets and will reduce reliance on processed, unhealthy foods. This leads to improved public health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Plus we get more vibrant and sustainable communities.
National benefits:
- Contribution to climate change goals: The environmental benefits of regenerative agriculture contribute to a country’s climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
- Enhanced food security and self-sufficiency: Increased local food production can reduce dependence on imports and strengthen national food security.
- Rural development and economic diversification: Supporting micro farms and circular economy models can revitalise rural economies and create new jobs.
Of course, the specific benefits and challenges will vary depending on the local context and micro farm model. However, the potential for positive impacts on our communities, country, and environment is significant. By supporting and collaborating with Ecolearrn and Sow Study Sustain’ innovative micro farms, we can move towards a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
