And what does it mean on our flower farm?

Regenerative Agriculture is a holistic approach to farming that aims to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and enhance ecosystem services. It's about more than just "sustainable" farming; it's about actively restoring and revitalizing the land.

Key Principles of Regenerative Agriculture:

1. Minimize Soil Disturbance: This often involves no-till or low-till practices. By avoiding plowing, you maintain soil structure, reduce erosion, and protect beneficial soil organisms.

2. Maintain Soil Cover: Keeping soil covered with plants year-round is crucial for regenerative agriculture. It protects against erosion, suppresses weeds, and improves moisture retention. Cover crops, like legumes and grasses, are used to enhance soil health rather than for harvest.

3. Maximize Plant Diversity: Growing a variety of plants, including cover crops, companion plants, and diverse flower varieties, supports a healthy soil ecosystem and attracts beneficial insects. We do this by interplanting with our primary cut flower crops and rotating beds yearly.

4. Integrate Livestock (if applicable): When integrated thoughtfully, livestock can play a vital role by grazing and returning nutrients to the soil through manure. On our farm, we use chickens to do some of our dirty work and hope to add more animals to the mix over the years.

5. Maintain Continuous Living Roots: Having plants with roots growing in the soil year-round feeds soil microbes and improves soil structure. This can be a challenge in Montana, but we aim to have plants in the ground on most of our flower fields all year round.

Why use Regenerative Agriculture on a Flower Farm?

Regenerative agriculture on a flower farm brings many incredible benefits. By prioritizing soil health through practices like cover cropping and low/no tilling, we believe we can grow healthier plants that bloom bigger and brighter while also fostering biodiversity. While some farms use pesticides and other manual interventions, we strive to manage pests naturally by inviting beneficial predators. Plus, regenerative practices are kinder to our planet — by cutting down on harmful chemicals, reducing soil erosion, and helping to capture carbon in the soil. Ultimately, these practices create a more resilient and sustainable farming system that cares for both the beautiful flowers and our environment.

Benefits of Regenerative Flower Farming:

• Improved soil health: This leads to increased water retention, nutrient availability, and overall plant vigor.

• Enhanced biodiversity: Supporting a diverse range of plant and animal life on the farm.

• Reduced environmental impact: Minimizing soil erosion, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Increased resilience: Creating a more resilient and sustainable farming system that can withstand climate change.

By embracing these principles, we aim to contribute to a healthier planet while growing beautiful and sustainable blooms.