ATTICA, Ind. — Dan DeSutter is a farmer and a numbers guy. With an advanced degree in finance and decades of agricultural production experience, he understands the value of soil health-focused regenerative agriculture and what impact it has on his Attica, Indiana farm’s bottom line.
He knows a lot because he’s seen a lot, including what he describes as “The good, the bad and the ugly of regenerative organic farming.”
“Dan’s leadership, experience and success in the soil health movement, coupled with his organic regen-erative and grass-fed production operation, combine to make his farm the perfect outdoor classroom for the Soil Health Academy’s (SHA) upcoming school,” said SHA instructor David Kleinschmidt.
In addition to Kleinschmidt, the three-day SHA school, Aug. 3-5, will feature instruction by Ray Archuleta, Gabe Brown, Doug Peterson and other technical consultants, all of whom are widely considered to be among the most preeminent pioneers, innovators and advocates in today’s soil health and regenerative agricultural movement.
For his part, DeSutter will share how he has been able to practically apply soil health-improving regenerative principles in his farming operation—techniques that have generated numerous benefits.
“If we invest in regenerating our soil, we can keep a lot of input dollars at home and in our local community,” DeSutter said. “The ultimate objective of regenerative farming is to have soils that can work for us instead of relying on us to provide for plant needs. Reducing those inputs translates into improved net profitability and positions regenerative growers to better connect with consumers seeking healthy, nutrient-dense food.”
According to Kleinschmidt, the Attica SHA school will offer a mix of demonstrations, expert presentations and hands-on experience—all of which are geared to help producers quickly and practically improve soil function and increase net per-acre profits.
“Students will learn regenerative farming techniques for weed and pest control, nutrient management, organic, no-till and how to design cover crop mixes to address resource concerns,” Kleinschmidt said. “From small-scale to large-scale producers, everyone who attends this school will see how to put regenerative agriculture principles to work for healthier soil, food and profits.”
For more information about the school, visit www.soilhealthacademy.org.
–Soil Health Academy
