Mar 4 2020

Make It So

The Wave: Make it So
I've been pondering this research from University of Minnesota. Here's the puzzle:

"It’s been more than 91 years since the last crop was pulled from the soil of an old farm field that, hidden away in a science reserve just north of the Twin Cities, has been left to grow wild. But the soil still hasn’t recovered."

The conclusion?  "Passively waiting for plant and animal life to return is a missed opportunity."

We have good examples of regenerative agriculture quickly - meaning years, not decades - improving soil health and biodiversity. But it requires active engagement by people. Passive isn't good enough.

Xiye Bastida imagines a beautiful vision of the future. However, we can't "conserve" or "protect" or "reduce" our way to this future. Instead we must plant, herd, plan, cooperate, and regenerate.

We must actively engage to make it so.
Former farmland is only half as productive — growing native grasses and wildflowers in half the abundance — as corners of the property that were never plowed. 
Imagine the the future we must - and can - create.  Let's make it so. (3' video)
How degraded gorse-infested farmland has been regenerated back into beautiful New Zealand native forest. (30' video)
More On Soil
The unique mix of microbes in soil has a profound effect on which plants thrive and which ones die

Instead of growing antibiotics in a petri dish, he hopes to find them in the ground.
Designers of Paradise
The Designers of Paradise podcast is one way RASA is telling the stories of regenerative leaders from around the world.

We need your help.  

Please subscribe to the podcast, listen, review, and share with others. A small monthly contribution will help us maintain and improve our storytelling.  Thanks much!
“Imagine how different our planet would look if we were teaching children whole systems”. This is how Kiwi, soil siren, author, and Regenerative Agriculture Coach, Nicole Masters explains transformative thinking
Healing ourselves, healing civilization, and healing the planet -  putting our hands in the soil is “the best cure”. 
“What is the change we need to get to?” Regenerative community practitioner and eco-architect Duncan Crowley shares a fascinating and inspiring overview of his evolving work 
One Last Thing
This is the choir you've been waiting to hear. (3.5' video)
In Closing
We are early in the process of defining what it means to build a regenerative society. While the terminology will continue to evolve, we're convinced the ideas are directionally correct. We are studying, testing, plotting, and building interest, support, and resources.

Thus this newsletter, which will come out periodically with information about RASA - narrating our work - along with brief observations and links to related materials exploring innovation and the regenerative economy.

With effort, and a bit of luck, we hope support for these concepts becomes a wave sweeping the world! Check out the archive to see if this newsletter is right for you (or a friend).

If you find this email valuable, please share with a friend. If you don't, please unsubscribe (link at the bottom.) We also much appreciate comments, advice, and suggestions for links to highlight.

Thanks.

      Dave 





PS's:
1. To subscribe to this weekly newsletter please go here > https://the-wave.ongoodbits.com/
2. Don't call us spam bro! But you can unsubscribe (with the link at the bottom)
3. This newsletter is a service of RASA, the Regenerative Agriculture Sector Accelerator.
4. Please send questions or suggestions to David Witzel
RASA operates as a fiscally sponsored project of Inquiring Systems, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization.

Thanks to Lobineau for the picture of the Wave in Arizona used in the header.
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