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F ood is only as healthy as the soil it is grown in, or grazed upon. Learn about two brands that are leading the way in this important work. The founders of Brookfarm, Pam and Martin Brook, have proved that a commercial farming operation can coexist with nature, and that it is possible to implement critical regenerative agriculture that works with nature, not against it. Through regenerative farming, Brookfarm has become a biodiverse ecosystem: while operating a commercial macadamia operation, it is also home to native insects, platypus, owls, koalas, turtles, water dragons, snakes and rare sugar gliders. Natural solutions “We seek nature-based solutions to improve the taste and quality of our produce,” explains Martin. “Regenerative agriculture allows us to implement farming principles and techniques that pursue land and soil rehabilitation while strengthening the entire ecosystem.” Ueli Hurter, biodynamic farmer and member of the Weleda board of directors, explains: “We see our gardens as ecosystems, with plants, soil, animals and organisms thriving both above and below ground. Having all these elements healthy and in harmony is the only way to protect the natural environment and keep people healthy. Our founder Rudolf Steiner helped to bring the idea of biodynamic agriculture and organic farming to life. Now, we are helping our raw material partners to adopt this sustainable way of farming as well.” The eight Weleda medicinal gardens around the world are centres of biodiversity, with resilient ecosystems and soil that is kept healthy, aerated and fertile using natural methods, like fermented nettle tea. Weleda is committed to an open-pollination seed strategy to safeguard natural raw materials, and is a founding member of the Sunflower Initiative for Bio-Seeds, which breeds organic seeds. Regenerative Farming? Examples of the results of regenerative agriculture at Brookfarm include: After regeneration, breeding owls returned to the farm. Each pair of owls can consume up to 1,200 rats and mice per year, keeping the farm bait-free. “Regenerative agriculture allows us to implement farming principles and techniques that pursue land and soil rehabilitation while strengthening the Brookfarm uses Trichogramma wasps to manage the population of nut borers, an invasive species that eats macadamia nuts, thereby eradicating the need for nut borer pesticides. Brookfarm’s soil is now up to 60 percent more effective in capturing carbon, thanks to regenerative agriculture practices. Biodiversity benefits everyone Everything that grows in theWeleda gardens is cultivated according to the principles of biodynamic farming. This approach supports biodiversity, which is the rich variety of all life forms on the planet. entire ecosystem.” Martin Brook, Brookfarm founder. what is
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