By Tim Scott
As the environment becomes an increasing focus of Natural Capital management, I believe there is an emerging problem systemic to Environmental Science, and “Conventional” Agricultural Science, that there must always be a “trade-off’ between food production for a growing population and the environment. A “balancing act” where humans must choose to eat for a least-worst outcome.
This belief flows down into our everyday lives with sometimes daily media reports about the negative impact of agriculture in terms of emissions and water use. Locally programs promoted through Catchment and Landcare groups encourage the complete exclusion of livestock and agricultural practices in certain areas for the perceived benefit of “biodiversity” or ecological health, and a growing rhetoric from top down around choosing a (usually highly processed) “plant based” diet for the sake of the environment.
This is the elephant in the room and unfortunately in a “conventional” sense, land degradation from ANY type agriculture CAN be pretty horrific. The rate of topsoil loss from “conventional” farming is claimed to be so high that we may only have 60 harvests left. Plant based diets still require agriculture, and “conventional” is the norm in cropping.
It’s not all bad news: Regenerative Agriculture proves this “trade-off” paradigm is irrelevant however. Food production and environmental outcomes improve SIMULTANEOUSLY. Regenerative Agriculture looks nothing like the “conventional” agricultural systems we see dominating today though- a different animal entirely.
Animals & Plants: There is no argument that animal impact, if poorly (or un) managed, damages fragile ecosystems; but it, along with managed recovery, may also be a great tool in improving them- and quickly. Biodiversity and habitat is not improved by excluding animals entirely. In Regenerative Agriculture animal action can be used to create a growth pulse speeding the regeneration that follows their managed impact. When animals are removed and the natural regeneration tools are replaced with chemical, fire or mechanical tools to attempt to wipe out a non-native plant or “weed” (for example) this does, by definition, destroy both biodiversity and habitat. How is this type of intervention seen as environmentally responsible?
“Regenerative Agriculture” may need to drop the “Agriculture” to be taken seriously by the Environmental Science community.
Monitoring: If correctly developed, ecological verification systems could be the answer in allowing consumers all to choose a diet that is produced in a way that both enhances the environment and gives us more nutritious food. If underlying assumptions of verification systems are still set by the same Environmental Scientists who don’t understand landscape function however, these too will fall short and be seen as irrelevant greenwashing by consumers.
The Fundamentals: Animals and plants evolved together since the beginning of time. Any monoculture is not natural and is a recent phenomenon. Likewise, ploughing, synthetic fertilisers and poisons used anywhere in the ecosystem use “yesterday’s sunshine” (fossil fuels) to give an outcome that disrupts and subdues natural processes. What results from this “trade-off” mentality is food that lacks integrity and (in many cases) nutrition and environment that requires constant cyclical inputs. Native & non-native plants, animals, insects and microorganisms ALL have a role to play in healing land while burning & mowing, in any circumstance, depletes landscapes, habitat and biodiversity while exporting nutrition and depleting soils.
What to do? Firstly if you own or manage property, “let all things grow” – be patient and trust nature to find her own balance, we are not smarter than her! This Christmas, vote with your dollar and ask harder questions of your food suppliers as to how they produce. Buy Organic and look for Regenerative (but remember to clarify how they are certifying or verifying claims). In the New Year, allocate some funds to becoming educated in regenerative land management and know that there is a whole movement underway to improve ecology and grow better food simultaneously. No trade-off needed!
Merry Christmas from the team at Kandanga Farm Store!
