You may have guessed by now that as a business and as farmers we’re just a little obsessed with soil; healthy, carbon-rich soil. Why? Because it’s good for our crops, good for our herd of cows, good for you and good for the planet. We believe looking after our soil is hands down the best thing we can do for our world right now.
And on our family-run farm in Lincolnshire, we have five guiding principles we follow that are in line with regenerative farming methods, to make sure our soil is as healthy as it possibly can be.
- Limited Disturbance – we limit what those of us in the farming community call ‘tillage’. Tillage includes things like ploughing which completely destroys the soil structure. Our farm has always taken a min-till approach to farming to protect the health of our soil.
- Armour – we grow cover crops to provide a natural ‘coat of armour’ that protects the soil from erosion and provides food and habitat for the amazing living organisms on and in the soil. As so many in the soil movement say, in nature there is no bare soil, so we aim to do the same. We also chop and redistribute all crop leftovers back to the fields to recycle the nutrients, and provide worms and other organisms with the food they need.
- Diversity – we strive for diversity in the plants we grow and the animals we rear. We are conducting lots of trials where we’re intercropping different crops to see which grow best together. Watch this space…. this is a work in progress and we’re still learning.
- Root power – while living roots boost soil health by feeding it with carbon, which in turn feeds the plants and generates plant growth, we also leave old roots in to decay and form pathways for water to create natural drainage. It’s all about the amazing circle of life.
- Integrate Animals – nature and ecosystems need animals to work at its very best. Through careful management, the animals’ grazing and natural fertilising stimulates plant growth and soil health. They’re a key part of our approach to soil management.
By choosing to buy Thrive recipe boxes you are just as much a part of this movement as we are, helping us all create a healthier future for everyone. Because good food changes everything
