Putting Grasslands to Work: A Conversation About the Power of Regenerative Agriculture

Darren Doherty, Creator of Regrarians, Ltd.

Agriculture is the major destructive activity on the planet.

At Regrarians, we are involved with education and this is critical. We have initiatives that attract thousands since 2007. With regrarian agriculture and regrarian economy there is no recidivism.

Permaculture: A Designer’s Handbook by Mollison – very influenced by this book.

The Regrarian’s Handbook will be released in 2014/2015.

We are also very influenced by the keyline design and philosophy in the work of P.A. Yeomans but have added people, society and economy to this.

Main points to think about:

Climate – when it comes to climate, there is a belief that it is fixed, just like the mind. Climate is the rules of the game. We need to encourage collaboration in solving the problem. There are way more consumers than producers.

Geography – there are new amazing technologies of mapping that we need to utilise.

Water – this is particularly important in Australia. Innovation out of need. Importance of being able to move water around to overcome issues associated with having migratory animals on sedentary landscapes. Water on bare soil is public enemy number one.

Access – each element should perform multiple functions i.e. roads used as water catchment method in addition to transporting. The importance of roads blending into the landscape and not dominating.

Forestry – in many places this is called Savannah. This is the overarching landscape theme. We need a ‘Homo-Regenerus’!

Portability – why do we continue to put so much capital in bricks and mortar that do not move?! We need to keep moving stock. Also abbatoirs. We need low-cost structures that are continually on the move.

Fencing systems – allow us to keep thousands of animals and mimic migratory patterns. We can also use these to sub-divide the landscape in better ways.

Soil – grasses are the best tool for soil formation. Healthy soil needs:

• Sunlight, air and water
• Minerals
• Living things IN soil
• Living things ON soil
• Mosaic disturbance regimes

There are around 5-6000 people practising regenerative agriculture.

Technology – ability to sell produce on websites etc. farmers need to afford to be regenerative. We need to make better food. We need more people on farms.

Energy – the benefits of photosynthesis.