Carbon Cowboys

Esther Remmelink recently posted this criticism of "Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there)" after attending a screening in Rotterdam on June 14, 2024. We think this is a fantastic opportunity to dig into some common criticisms and misconceptions of regenerative grazing. We have copied Esther’s text in full and made it italics so it’s easy to see her text, and our replies. We appreciate the dialogue. We invite everyone to visit our website (https://lnkd.in/eqVN9zp7) to read the 11 papers published to date – we will have another 6-8 papers published in the hopefully not-too-distant future. Thank you to the members of the Roots So Deep team who contributed to this article. - Peter Byck

I have heard about Groundswell for years, and was thrilled to finally get my feet on the Cherry Family’s farm in Hertfordshire. As the opening act of the morning, I showed some Roots So Deep clips and talked science results - and really enjoyed the extended Q&A with the 350 or so early morning attendees. I got to hang out with the Wildfarmed crew and the Yeo Valley Organic team – and basically eat my way across the festival. I hope this becomes an annual pilgrimage. Check out my full presentation here: https://lnkd.in/d4HDEgQ6 Peter Byck

During Peter’s conversation with Greg Judy at the 2023 South Poll Cattle Sale & Festival, Greg shared some of his frustrations with the incentives offered farmers that fail to address soil health. When soils are healthy and rich in carbon, they absorb far more water during rainfall - mitigating erosion, runoff, and droughts! You can learn more about the incredible impact AMP grazing practices have on water infiltration in our new docuseries Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there) streaming now at rootssodeep.org!

Watch this from James Rebanks and Allen Williams, the best part is at the end. I love the quote from the botanist after James only found 30 species of plants in the riparian buffer fenced off area vs 200 on his farm Botanist said: “It’s not re-wilding; its abandonment” The point is that we need competition, just like in our economy. We can re-manage our landscapes to work with nature and food, too. It is not as simple as returning the land to the wild. Humans created the problem, but we can accelerate the regeneration too. Thanks to Carbon Cowboys for this video #naturepositive #rewilding #biodiversity #farming #food #regenerativeag #regenag

The Organic Growers School's impacted farmer needs list has become quite robust in the past week. It includes options for donating directly to impacted farms and organizations, resources for impacted farms, and drop sites.  https://lnkd.in/eifDuHvC Volunteer opportunities from Volunteer United: https://lnkd.in/eEQipe_W Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture has a comprehensive page on their website that includes ways to support ongoing efforts, volunteer, and resources for impacted farmers. https://lnkd.in/efZDUwxb Their farm recovery volunteer corps needs will be ongoing. If you'd like to sign up, you can do that here:  https://lnkd.in/eN8wW5Ai **At this time, they ask that folks not travel long distances to come and volunteer, as infrastructure is compromised and the community can't accommodate more people from out of town. They ask that those who are NOT local consider donating funds or supplies. If you have more info and ways to support our neighbors who were impacted by the storm, please feel free to share here. Resources provided by Southeast TN Young Farmers.

If you are looking for ways to help, our pals over at Appalachian Voices have created a great resource page with shelters, organizations, requested donation items, etc. Please share widely: https://lnkd.in/eAa2Bame A central way to donate is through the Helene Response Fund hosted by the Appalachian Funders Network. Donations to this fund will be connected to local organizations and mutual aid funds on the ground in affected areas throughout Appalachia (not just Kentucky). https://lnkd.in/eYKj43JQ We also know how overwhelming a natural disaster can be. Please hold space for any grief or anxiety. We are in this together, and stronger for it. If you need to talk with someone, consider the Disaster Distress Helpline (for emotional distress to a natural or human disaster): Call 1-800-985-5990  Text "talkwithus" to 66746  Visit https://lnkd.in/e_SJzdxg Repost via Appalshop, Inc:

Update: Farmers Lead Innovative Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts https://lnkd.in/e-JggV22

Carbon Cowboys is one of the most innovative, inclusive and educational.... shall I say movements? Movements to happen in the farming community in decades. Highly recommend you watch it! even if you aren't in agriculture, it's fantastic.

We hope this post finds you safe. The news out of North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida is incredibly difficult and we know that many want to know what they can do to help. These resources were compiled by the Southeast TN Young Farmers. Appalachian Sustainable Development has an extensive list of resources: https://lnkd.in/eMuCGkx9 RAFI also has great information: https://lnkd.in/eySgqAUH For those of us outside the area that want to help: UT is putting together a list of people who can house and transport livestock for those in need. If this is something you can help with please fill out the form below: https://lnkd.in/eZBJvxsW For those wanting to offer hands-on assistance. Blue Ridge Women in Ag, based in Boone, is organizing a farm recovery volunteer corps. Here’s the sign up sheet:  https://lnkd.in/eN8wW5Ai Also if you want to donate money specifically to farmer support, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is still taking stock and checking in on farmers but will be offering farmer support into the future. https://lnkd.in/eW7Bu8vh If you have other resources, please share them in the comments below. We are looking to farm organizations in these areas to let us know if there are volunteer opportunities available in the future.

We kicked off our UK tour by screening "Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there)" at KINO Rotterdam on June 14! Special thanks to Koen van Seijen, Corien Botman, the donors and all the attendees that came from all over the Netherlands and beyond! After a hectic train trip from Cornwall to Cheltenham (trains at Plymouth were having troubles all day), I finally made it to a gorgeous farm in Gloucester, owned by one of my musical heroes, Steve Winwood, for a late afternoon presentation at the Ark Organic Regenerative Farming Summit on June 21. Thank you to Tom Pycraft for the invitation, and Patrick Holden for the introduction! And thank you to the folks in the kitchen for saving me a plate full of amazing food - I missed lunch, due to that train situation. Stay tuned- we'll be sharing more about our international tour soon!