Agro-ecology

How can we grow food for local people whilst improving soil quality and fertility, with the ADDED BENEFITS of providing ecosystem services (water cleaning, air conditioning, soil building) AND creation of habitat for wildlife and all creatures in the web of life?

We can choose to use No-dig growing techniques

We can create a resilient landscape that collects rainwater and irrigates planting zones.

We can practice Agro-ecology and Regenerative Agriculture.

Agro-ecology is:

  • The application of ecology to the design and management of sustainable agroecosystems.
  • A whole-systems approach to agriculture and food systems development based on traditional knowledge, alternative agriculture, and local food system experiences.
  • Linking ecology, culture, economics, and society to sustain agricultural production, healthy environments, and viable food and farming communities.

What is Regenerative Agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture:

…focuses strongly on building soils and restoring ecosystems as the foundation to regenerating production, and communities.  The importance of restoring watercourses – and the water cycle as a whole – is recognised, along with mineral cycles and biodiversity, as foundations for a sustainable permanent agro-ecological production base.  At the same time dependency on external inputs is minimised, and we look to improve livestock health and quality of produce, and increase farm profitability – with the most efficient use of the manpower available

You can learn more by reading Mark Shepherd’s brilliant book Restoration Agriculture or find more resources at  http://permacultureapprentice.com/.