MARION, Ala. — Workers at the Bois d’Arc Farm (BDA) begin each workday asking one question: “How can we provide for our community, while also restoring our soil and healing the land around us?”
To achieve these goals, managers and workers implement soil health-focused regenerative, no-till and organic principles and practices on the farm’s more than 6,000 acres of gardens and pastures. Based on the success of that model, the non-profit Soil Health Academy recently announced BDA will be the location for its three-day, regenerative ag school, May 11-13 in Marion, Alabama.
“BDA understands that in order to produce delicious and nutrient-rich food, it must continuously work to improve the health and function of its soil, as well as enable the diverse ecosystems that make up the farm,” said SHA’s Allen Williams, Ph.D. “It’s a showcase for pasture-based, regenerative farming and ranching principles, which is why it’s the perfect outdoor classroom for our school. We will specifically focus on challenges and issues that grazers face and address those.”
Along with Williams, regenerative farming and ranching pioneers Gabe Brown, Burke Teichert and Doug Peterson will lead the instructor cadre for the course, which will examine beef, dairy, small ruminant, pastured pig and pastured poultry, along with grazing and foraging methods.
In addition to highlighting the principles of soil health and adaptive stewardship, Williams said the school will feature practical, expert guidance on increasing farm profitability through enterprise stacking, marketing and multi-species grazing.
To further ensure participant success, tuition for the on-farm school now includes registration for SHA’s on-line Regen Ag 101 course, two follow-up, one-on-one video conferences with SHA experts and access to future group conference calls with the course’s instructors. Scholarships and discounts are also available for qualifying applicants.
“This school represents a practical, empowering opportunity for producers looking to take their operations and their profits to the next level,” Williams said. “Attendees will learn how to develop forage chains to feed multiple species, develop watering systems, construct and layout paddocks, observe and evaluate grazing efficiency and much more.”
To learn more about the school, visit www.soilhealthacademy.org .
–Soil Health Academy