Episode One - Regeneration
Discuss
“While industrial agriculture has increased humanity’s ability to feed itself dramatically, it has also caused many problems for human health, culture and the environment. The model and practice of industrial agriculture is a, if not the, primary contributor to climate change, global warming, deforestation, chemical and organic pollution of aquatic ecosystems, depletion of aquifers, soil degradation, disappearances of species, human wars and conflicts, human health problems, the abolishment of cultural heritage, the disappearance of genetic diversity in human crops, and political upheaval throughout the world” (Union of Concerned Scientists).
Where does our food come from and how is it produced?
What are the costs and benefits- human, environmental, social, economic, political—of food production and consumption today?
Are our methods of food production and distribution sustainable? What are positive solutions to the global food crisis?
In your own words, what is the difference between regenerative agriculture and sustainable agriculture, and why is that important?
What can you do locally to contribute to the concept of regenerative agriculture? In your yard, in a local park, by working with local organizations…?
Why are dung beetles beneficial? Give two examples.
What are other examples of insects that help to improve the soil, and how?
What does it mean to farm with nature rather than against it? Can you give an example?
Give examples of the diversity of plants that “grass-fed” cattle actually eat, and how that diversity benefits humans when we eat grass-fed beef.
Why are animals important in regenerative agriculture?
Listen
https://www.nativeseedpod.org/
The Native Seed Pod is a podcast that explores and celebrates Native Foodways, Ancestral Seeds, and the Traditional Ecological Knowledge needed to renew the health of the Earth and all our relations. From planting songs to cultural foodscapes, we highlight the importance of protecting and restoring agrobiodiversity and food sovereignty to sustain resilient communities.
https://player.fm/podcasts/Sustainable-Agriculture
https://player.fm/podcasts/indigenous
History on a Plate: How Native American Diets Shifted After European Colonization
Watch
https://foodtank.com/news/2013/09/twenty-six-films-every-food-activist-must-watch/
https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/search-results/?q=farm&type=film
The Real Dirt on Farmer John, Directed by Taggart Siegel, featuring John Peterson and Anna Nielsen, produced by Teri Lang and Scott Ray Becker, 2005
Microcosmos. Written and Directed by Claude Nuridsany and Marie Pérennou, narrated by Jacques Perrini and Kristin Scott Thomas, multiple production companies, 1996. A documentary of insect life in meadows and ponds, using incredible close-ups, slow motion, and time-lapse photography. Wonderful section on dung beetles.
Read
What is Regenerative Agriculture? | Climate Reality
https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/what-regenerative-agriculture
How does agriculture contribute to climate change?
https://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/how-does-agriculture-contribute-to-climate-change/
https://inthesetimes.com/article/the-rights-of-wild-rice-winona-laduke-white-earth-rights-of-nature
The insect apocalypse is coming. Here is what you can do about it. https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/13/europe/insect-apocalypse-report-scn/index.html
https://homegrownnationalpark.com/
https://greentumble.com/10-sustainable-farming-methods-and-practices/
https://foodtank.com/news/2020/12/childrens-books-to-nourish-growing-minds/
Books
Berry, Wendell. The Agricultural Crisis: A Crisis of Culture. Myrin Institute, 1979.
Sheldrake, Merlin. Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures. Random House, 2020.
Hamer, Marc, and Joe McLaren. How to Catch a Mole: Wisdom from a Life Lived in Nature. Greystone Books, 2019.
Kline, David. Scratching the Woodchuck: Nature on an Amish Farm. Univ. of Georgia, 2000.
Harjo, Joy, et al. When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came through: a Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry. W. W. Norton & Company, 2020.
Magazines
Corn Tastes Better on the Honor System https://emergencemagazine.org/story/corn-tastes-better/
https://thesunmagazine.org/issues/444/if-your-house-is-on-fire
https://emergencemagazine.org/story/the-ecology-of-perception/
Do
Numerous activities on soil, regenerative agriculture, sustainable agriculture, etc.
https://www.pinterest.com/globeprogram/teaching-stem-the-scoop-on-soil-and-earth-science/
https://www.soils4teachers.org/lessons-and-activities
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/environmental-education-stem-project-roundup
Loans and Grants that can be used for youth regenerative agriculture projects
USDA Loans for Youth Agriculture Projects
https://www.usda.gov/youth/loans
https://kidsgardening.org/garden-grants/
https://www.gardenclub.org/youth-pollinator-gardens-grant
https://growingspaces.com/gardening-grants/
https://www.wholekidsfoundation.org/programs/school-gardens-grant
Additional Resources
https://www.sare.org/resources/building-soils-for-better-crops-3rd-edition
17 Organizations Promoting Regenerative Agriculture Around the Globe
https://foodtank.com/news/2018/05/organizations-feeding-healing-world-regenerative-agriculture-2/
Urban Farming with Kids: Seeking Simplicity Through Seeds, Chicks, and More
http://www.parentmap.com/article/urban-farming-with-kids
Regenerative Agriculture and Children
https://holisticmanagement.org/featured-blog-posts/regenerative-agriculture-and-children/
https://thekidshouldseethis.com/tagged/food
Kiss the Ground (California)
Includes film (narrated by Woody Harrelson) on Netflix, and
Regeneration International Educational Resources
Center for Regenerative Agriculture (Cal State Chico)
Rodale Institute (Educational Resources)
Ancient Ohio Trail (includes videos on Ohio Land and History and Ancient Lifeways)
Three Sisters Garden (Cornell)
[More General: National Agricultural Library (USDA)]
Eat
In this podcast, farmer Jim Linne mentions that his grass-fed cattle love to eat curly dock. You can eat it too! Here is recipe for Curly Dock crackers.
Rumex Crisps: Dock Seed Crackers
The Latin name for curly dock, a wild plant with edible leaves and seeds, is Rumex crispus. The below recipe makes about 36 2-inch crackers, depending on how thinly you roll out the dough.
1/2 cup toasted dock seeds
3/4 - 1 cup rye flour
1/4 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for sprinkling
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil, plus more for brushing
1/2 tablespoon honey
1/3 cup water
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
In a large bowl, blend together dock seeds, 3/4 cup rye flour, and salt. Stir in grapeseed oil, honey, and water until incorporated. Add more rye flour as needed so dough is no longer sticky, but still moist.
Divide dough in half and roll out thinly on a floured surface (not paper-thin, but "cracker-thin"). Don't stress too much about the thickness - if the crackers are thicker, they'll just take a bit longer to cook.
Cut crackers into any shape that you like, such as squares, diamonds, or strips, and place them on a baking sheet. Crackers can be close together, as they hold their shape as they cook. Gather dough scraps, re-roll, and cut as needed. Repeat with remaining dough half.
Brush crackers lightly with grapeseed oil (or rub with fingers), sprinkle with a little more salt, and bake for 15 - 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on rack. Store in an airtight container and enjoy for up to 2 weeks. If you live in a humid environment, crackers can be re-toasted in the oven.
From: http://www.rootedfood.com/recipes/2015/5/23/rumex-crisps-dock-seed-crackers accessed 12/18/2020