Regenerartive Ag Resources
We started to plan our farm operations in 2017 after purchasing some land in Muskingum County, Ohio. First, we started with what we knew; traditional stocking density, grain and other feed allocation, structures for wind and rain, and heavy machinery. The numbers added up and we took a step back from planning our farm operations.
While researching innovative ways to start this business, we came across regenerative agriculture and diet. We listened to Sally Fallon deliver speeches on how people can incorporate healthy foods into their diets by seeking out regenerative farmers. This find led us to spend hours learning and researching techniques to rejuvenate soil, best animal impact management, and pasture health.
It was an instant decision to redirect our planning efforts and redesign our farm business plan and operations to focus solely on regenerative agriculture. We watched as our startup figure decline from hundreds of thousands of dollars, down to roughly $30,000. This number was doable and we barely hit this startup number which included additional allocations for seeding pastures. To tell you the truth, you could start a farm far less than this number. Give us a call, text or email to flush out some or your own ideas.
Alex not only spent hours learning and researching through videos and podcasts, he started reading tons of books. We want to leave you a list of resources for you if you’re interested in this field. The list will be below.
One book in particular, Alex has referred to non-stop. It’s called “Managing Pasture: A complete guide to building healthy pasture for grass-based meat & dairy animals” written by Dale Strickler.
This book has brought holistic pasture management into actionable, understandable, and easy to follow concepts through seeding pastures. Strickler incorporates grazing management, grass management, and profitable operations all into one place. It’s written from the point of view of both a seed salesman and a rancher which gives a wide vantage and broad knowledge of pasture management. What Alex absolutely has enjoyed from this book is the author’s acknowledgement and promotion of native North American grasses and how to incorporate them into pastures. One more important aspect to Strickler’s book is that he touches on a variety of livestock animals, fencing, and water problems. It’s comprehensive approach coupled with easy to read ideas and infographs has made this a stand out book that we at Never Tread want to guide those learning about Regenerative Agriculture to refer too. His company, Green Cover Seed’s Youtube channel is a great resource, too. You can find huge amounts of digestible information for all things regarding the development and management of pastures.
The below are all the books that Alex highly recommends that those jumping into this industry should read. These are texts that he has personally read and that we both rely on to develop our farm operations. Please note, these links are to Amazon and we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if purchased through this link.
No Risk Ranching: Custom grazing on leased land written by Greg Judy
A thorough introduction to raising South Poll Cattle, to include rotational grazing, watering, and advice to get started.
Holistic Management: A commonsense revolution to restore our environment written by Allan Savory with Jody Butterfield
An indepth learning experience about how animal impact on soil improves pastures and additional information about how to do it and advice.
Managing Pasture: A complete guide to building healthy pasture for grass-based meat & dairy animals written by Dale Strickler
A comprehensive guide to understanding which seeds work best for weather, soil, and other predictable factors.
Kick the Hay Habit: A practical guide to year-around grazing written by Jim Gerrish
How to leverage rotational grazing and pasture management into a low overhead business and to stop having to buy hay for the winter and other seasons.
Dirt to Soil: One family’s journey into regenerative agriculture written by Gabe Brown
One-part memoir of Brown’s struggles and triumphs to get to turn his farm around and the other part, learning experience to understand and apply Gabe’s advice to one’s own farmland.
Nourishing Traditions: The cookbook that challenges politically correct nutrition and diet dictocrats written by Sally Fallon
A research-backed and information-packed cookbook that teaches one about why choosing grass-fed, pasture raised, and organically grown food is best for diets with resources.
Again, we enjoy sharing our own experiences and passion about regenerative ag. So, please feel free to call, text, or email us anytime if you’d like to learn more or bounce ideas around.