Sustainable & Regenerative Agriculture

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Sustainable agriculture is absolutely essential for our local and global community to meet food and textile needs in the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In fact, as climate change increases pace, we need to go a step farther in healing the planet and its resources with regenerative agriculture.

Practitioners of sustainable agriculture seek to integrate three main objectives into their work: a healthy environment, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. Every person involved in the food system—growers, food processors, distributors, retailers, consumers, and waste managers—can play a role in ensuring a sustainable agricultural system.

Regenerative Agriculture describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle.

Much borrowed from UC Davis & Regeneration International

The following farming, ranching and land use practices are used to create regenerative food systems and healthy natural ecosystems.

Aquaculture |  Agroecology |  Agroforestry |  Biochar |  Compost |  Holistic Planned Grazing |  No-till |  Pasture Cropping |  Perennial Crops |  Silvopasture

Local Organizations Addressing Agriculture

Boulder County farmers, ranchers, and local food advocates working to co-create a more inclusive and regenerative agricultural community
a full-service grocery store and the easiest way to shop for zero-waste, local, and organic groceries
designing and creating edible and pollinator-friendly gardens and leading communities of volunteers to create connections with the land
Supporting Young & Beginning Farmers in Boulder County
Designiung dryland agricultural systems grounded in the principles of ecology, so that the resulting landscapes sequester carbon, retain moisture, enhance biodiversity, and produce nutritious food for humans
improving resilience and tackle climate change through food and healthy soil on local farms and ranches
Building community around regenerative and sustainable practices in agriculture, education, and collaborative play
turning the world into a garden by converting lawns and underutilized spaces into thriving food gardens to combat climate change and build more resilient communities
providing children with engaging educational experiences that connect them to food, how it’s grown and why fruits and vegetables are essential to their diet
Dedicated to harvesting and distributing the surplus urban fruit growing throughout Boulder, Colorado
a 27 acre “Regenerative Slow Food Farm” managed using methods inspired by nature’s self-sustaining ecosystems
Redirecting Perishable Food – Just in Time!
Eliminating hunger in Boulder and Broomfield Counties through engagement, collaboration, and leadership.
Providing healthy supplemental food to Boulder families and individuals in need of food assistance within a safe, welcoming and non-judgmental environment
Working to manage surplus agriculture and reduce on-farm food loss statewide through gleaning, experiential education, research and legislative advocacy
To ensure Boulder County's operations and decision-making reflect…
Producing top quality farm products while continuing to regenerate surrounding ecosystems
Providing seed packets from the seed library for growing flowers and edible plants at home and organizing The Edible Learning Garden
Sending the call for community members to take an active role in protecting our open spaces and wildlife
dedicated to helping people save water, reduce waste, and conserve energy
Spreading knowledge of gardening and to stimulate and promote interest in home gardens, civic projects, and beautification of the Boulder area
Providing many hands-on learning opportunities for students, including tips, tools and resources for starting, maintaining or expanding school gardens in the BVSD Garden As A Classroom Manual
A voice for pollinators, organizers of the Boulder Pollinator Appreciation Month Celebrations, offering workshops around town.
Dedicated to improving the health of each student by providing healthy food and offering nutrition education programs to grow young bodies and minds.
Driving an agricultural revolution that restores our relationship with Earth so all of life can flourish for generations to come.
facilitating collaborative efforts to design and install creative, useful spaces through ecological design solutions, creating year round opportunities for community engagement and education
local service that produces and applies compost tea, a living spray for plants and soil, using testing and biology to regenerate soil health as well as to promote soil stewardship
working to transform the water laws and landscape in Colorado, creating innovative approaches to working within our local water budget
a professional Permaculture Design Certification Course with more than 100-hours of experiential learning
serving as a voice for the industry and offering year-round education programming and networking events, and celebrations that bring together Colorado’s natural products community
nonprofit organization operating producer-only farmers markets in Colorado since 1987
creating healthier and more sustainable communities in the Jewish world and beyond
working at the intersection of art, music, and regenerative culture to offer people a pathway to take action locally where they live to create empowered communities
a thriving community farm focused on sustainable agriculture with a commitment to health, wellness, and lifelong learning
local farm using compost tea to build the soil biology selling produce to Lucky's Markets, Boulder restaurants and thru CSA programs
protecting people and pollinators by advancing sustainable agricultural practices, new safeguards for public health, and improvements for our environment across Colorado
an environmental arts magazine that celebrates creative projects & passionate people making waves in the environmental movement(s)
Sustainable, Just-In-Time Food Rescue in Boulder, Colorado!
Seed company that aims to bring seeds back to the people - organically grown, often heirloom, locally grown when available and only open-pollinated
Growing Gardens
non-profit with the Mission to cultivate community through sustainable urban agriculture and Vision of people experiencing a direct and deep connection with food, the land and each other

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Planting the seed for some good reads.

Soil Carbon Restoration: Can Biology do the Job?

A great deal of discussion in scientific and governmental circles has been focused recently on how to deal with greenhouse gas emissions and the resulting weather extremes they have created. Read Essay

The Soil Solution: Regenerative Farming

“People keep talking about reducing carbon emissions and getting to carbon neutral, but that’s not enough anymore,” Hoffman says. “We’re already heating, so we need to take the excess from the atmosphere. A lot of people want to make new technology that can help solve our previous technology problems.” Read Boulder County Home & Garden

Carbon Farming: The Future of Food

There are two ways to go about solving climate change. We can either reduce greenhouse gas emissions or draw them out of the atmosphere. Scientists are now telling us that we must do both as quickly as humanly possible.  Read on Boulder Lifestyle

Mingle and Feast at 63rd St. Farm

Whether you are a CSA-member or not, pick-up days are a great community event. Join us Thursday evenings during the season, to mingle with other farm-food lovers, sample our homemade brick oven pizza, listen to live local musicians, and enjoy the great farm life for an evening. Find out More

What is Regenerative Farming?

The goal of regenerative farming is for us to think of our farms are living organisms, and not as factories.

Building Soil Health To Combat Climate Change

The problem and solution are simply a matter of balance. Here’s why carbon farming is important and how it works.

Small Scale Farmers Cool the Planet

How industrial agriculture has contributed to climate change and small farmers are solving the crisis with regenerative agriculture.

Plant flowers that bloom all season long!

Pollinators need food from spring to fall, so plant as many flowers as you can of different colors, shapes and types to create a smorgasbord of nectar and pollen. These low water plants are perfect for pollinator gardens in our climate and this guide shows you which plants bloom during each season.

Support our local farms and farmers!

Come for the final two Saturday Markets on Nov. 11 & 18 to pick up the last tasty pickin’s of the season. In celebration of this year’s incredible harvest, on the 18th there will be a “Weigh your Haul” contest! Bring your haul and the person who has the heaviest haul will win a fabulous prize…plus hot cider and scavenger hunts. Learn more about the Boulder & Longmont Farmers Markets here.

Get in touch with your inner permaculturist!

“Permaculture” is a design system for ecological and sustainable living, integrating plants, animals, buildings, people & community. The goal is to create a holistic “permanent culture” by marrying wisdom of our ancestors with modern technology, for the benefit of generations to come. Learn more and sign-up for a class here.

Attend a MadAg Community Forum

Join Mad Ag’s monthly potluck and discussion, a time to gather, eat and discuss issues in agriculture. The purpose of the forum is to build community, discover intergenerational wisdom and support one another in building a healthy and vibrant food system. Last Friday of each month 6-9pm @ Altona Grange, Longmont, Colorado. More Details

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