Regenerative urban agriculture works with regenerative agriculture principles within an urban and peri-urban context. Those principles are more commonly discussed around how to regenerate farming land and communities severely degraded by chemical farming and animal stocking rates totally unsuited to the land qualities.
Regenerative agriculture principles are deceptively simple, using natures processes, guided by our feeling, thinking and willing, as gardeners and farmers. I had the joy of listening to a talk recently in Brisbane by Charles Massey, author of “Call of the reed warbler”. Its a wonderful book about regenerative agriculture and he is an inspiring speaker.
The book and talk of Charles Massey reinforced in my mind the power of regenerative agriculture to greatly reduce unnatural inputs, increase yields and profit, whilst truly contributing to healthier soil, waterways and air. A more sustainable and resilient world without the use of toxic chemicals in food production.
Regenerative agriculture – 5 key principles
Regenerative urban agriculture – alignment and tips
Here are tips on integrating the five key principles into urban agriculture on any scale?
In reflecting on my own food gardens and work in urban agriculture over many years, its heartening to know that I have intuitively worked with the five principles of regenerative agriculture and can see a strong alignment to biodynamics. This past blog of mine on individuality in biodynamic practice is helpful with that alignment.
In Massey’s book, he mentions quite a number of biodynamically managed farms as examples of regenerative agriculture. This does not surprise me and also helps me to appreciate the great wisdom of Steiner in starting biodynamics long before permaculture and the regenerative agriculture frameworks were developed.
I can see how the strivings of organic farmers and gardeners, in urban and peri-urban environments, who are informed by organic food growing methods, biodynamics, biological farming, permaculture, no till farming and natural farming are all dealing with regenerative urban agriculture. One of the projects we are working on is at the Samford Parklands. Its focus is on creating a regenerative urban agriculture centre. If the vision is achieved, it will become a globally significant hub for urban agriculture.
Authored by Peter Kearney – www.beta.myfoodgarden.com.au
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