Introduction:
This module covers the application of regenerative design to create ecological farming systems, including annual gardens, perennial orchards, and grazing systems. In the annual garden, the principles of efficiency of space, maximum garden bed area, and minimum path area are adopted, with emphasis on access points and boundaries to different systems. The perennial orchard seeks to replicate the ecological complexity found in forest edge ecosystems by incorporating diverse plant species that provide different and complementary roles in building soil fertility and supporting other plants. Grazing mimics the grazing patterns of ecosystems with diverse grazers, resulting in a high input of fertility into the soil and promoting better growth of grasses and herbs. Holistic grazing also helps increase water retention in the soil and is an effective means of regenerating degraded pastures.
Upon completion of the module, learners will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to design ecological farming systems that promote sustainability, ecological health, and economic viability.
Learning Outcomes:
This module covers the application of regenerative design to create ecological farming systems, including annual gardens, perennial orchards, and grazing systems. In the annual garden, the principles of efficiency of space, maximum garden bed area, and minimum path area are adopted, with emphasis on access points and boundaries to different systems. The perennial orchard seeks to replicate the ecological complexity found in forest edge ecosystems by incorporating diverse plant species that provide different and complementary roles in building soil fertility and supporting other plants. Grazing mimics the grazing patterns of ecosystems with diverse grazers, resulting in a high input of fertility into the soil and promoting better growth of grasses and herbs. Holistic grazing also helps increase water retention in the soil and is an effective means of regenerating degraded pastures.
Upon completion of the module, learners will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to design ecological farming systems that promote sustainability, ecological health, and economic viability.
Learning Outcomes:
- The design and management of a diverse annual garden for providing nutrient-dense food for the kitchen table.
- The design and management of diverse plant species into perennial orchards to replicate the ecological complexity found in forest edge ecosystems and build soil fertility.
- The principles of holistic grazing, include mimicking grazing patterns found in natural ecosystems to promote better growth of grasses and herbs, increase water retention and build soil carbon.
- The principles and practices of silvopasture grazing and how they can be adapted to New Zealand's unique environment. This includes learning about the integration of trees and pasture, the benefits of silvopasture grazing for both animal and environmental health, and the management techniques required for successful implementation.
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Annual Garden:
The goal of establishing an annual garden is to either provide an abundance of nutrient dense food for the family, or t develop a market garden farming system. These systems are typically located near the house, providing daily kitchen additions such as greens, herbs, and vegetables. Perennial greens, vitamin-rich vegetables, and medicinal or culinary herbs are the key intensively cultivated crops.
Diversity is essential, with plants growing together in carefully designed relationships. Beneficial guilds of plants can also be planted together so that they mutually benefit each other. Small animals such as guinea pigs, hens, and ducks can play a part in maintaining the garden, cleaning up, fertilizing and cultivating the soil. A diversity of microclimates, which can be beneficially created through suntraps, paths made of brick, stone or gravel, small ponds, and compost areas. Worm farms, herb spirals, and cold frames can also be incorporated into the design. Composting is essential, providing a way to return nutrients to the soil after the plants have taken them out.
The goal of establishing an annual garden is to either provide an abundance of nutrient dense food for the family, or t develop a market garden farming system. These systems are typically located near the house, providing daily kitchen additions such as greens, herbs, and vegetables. Perennial greens, vitamin-rich vegetables, and medicinal or culinary herbs are the key intensively cultivated crops.
Diversity is essential, with plants growing together in carefully designed relationships. Beneficial guilds of plants can also be planted together so that they mutually benefit each other. Small animals such as guinea pigs, hens, and ducks can play a part in maintaining the garden, cleaning up, fertilizing and cultivating the soil. A diversity of microclimates, which can be beneficially created through suntraps, paths made of brick, stone or gravel, small ponds, and compost areas. Worm farms, herb spirals, and cold frames can also be incorporated into the design. Composting is essential, providing a way to return nutrients to the soil after the plants have taken them out.
Perennial Orchard:
A perennial orchard designed according to regenerative principles aims to create a balanced and ecologically complex environment, similar to forest edge ecosystems. By emulating natural systems, these orchards reduce the reliance on sprays and intensive management practices. The key feature of such orchards is the incorporation of diverse plants and animals to provide ecosystem services that support the productivity of the orchard. Support plants, including living green mulch plants, nutrient accumulators, and insect-attracting species, are strategically used to naturally suppress weeds, enrich the soil, and control pests.
These regenerative orchards yield a wide range of nutrient-dense foods, such as tree nuts, fruits, perennial herbs and greens, and bi-annual vegetables. Additionally, animals like geese, chickens, ducks, and larger grazers can be integrated into the orchard design to enhance productivity. The orchard layout emphasizes functional diversity and interconnectedness with other systems to naturally manage pests, diseases, and ensure the overall health of the plants.
These orchards mimic natural ecosystems to create a regenerative system that is resilient, stable, diverse, and sustainable. By fostering ecological balance and complexity, these orchards promote biological stability and minimize the need for chemical sprays and intensive management practices. Ultimately, they provide a productive and sustainable approach to orchard management.
A perennial orchard designed according to regenerative principles aims to create a balanced and ecologically complex environment, similar to forest edge ecosystems. By emulating natural systems, these orchards reduce the reliance on sprays and intensive management practices. The key feature of such orchards is the incorporation of diverse plants and animals to provide ecosystem services that support the productivity of the orchard. Support plants, including living green mulch plants, nutrient accumulators, and insect-attracting species, are strategically used to naturally suppress weeds, enrich the soil, and control pests.
These regenerative orchards yield a wide range of nutrient-dense foods, such as tree nuts, fruits, perennial herbs and greens, and bi-annual vegetables. Additionally, animals like geese, chickens, ducks, and larger grazers can be integrated into the orchard design to enhance productivity. The orchard layout emphasizes functional diversity and interconnectedness with other systems to naturally manage pests, diseases, and ensure the overall health of the plants.
These orchards mimic natural ecosystems to create a regenerative system that is resilient, stable, diverse, and sustainable. By fostering ecological balance and complexity, these orchards promote biological stability and minimize the need for chemical sprays and intensive management practices. Ultimately, they provide a productive and sustainable approach to orchard management.
Holistic Grazing:
By adopting holistic grazing strategies and implementing silvopasture systems, farmers in New Zealand can create regenerative farming systems that contribute to increased biodiversity, reduced erosion, enhanced water infiltration, and overall environmental sustainability.
Holistic grazing systems, also known as regenerative or sustainable grazing systems, aim to mimic natural grazing patterns, improve pasture health, and enhance environmental outcomes. Implementing holistic grazing strategies in New Zealand can yield substantial environmental benefits, given the country's significant agricultural sector. Key components of holistic grazing include rotational grazing, which involves dividing pastures into smaller sections and frequently moving livestock to promote even grazing and vegetation recovery. This approach enhances plant vigor, root development, and biodiversity, while reducing soil compaction, erosion, and improving water infiltration and nutrient cycling.
Integrating different livestock species, such as cattle, sheep, and poultry, in a mixed grazing system offers synergistic advantages. Each species contributes to different aspects of grazing, such as controlling taller grasses, grazing closer to the ground, and assisting in manure breakdown, insect control, and nutrient distribution. Considering stocking densities and grazing timing is crucial for sustainable grazing. Matching livestock numbers with available forage prevents overgrazing, promotes pasture growth, and reduces the need for supplementary feeding, minimizing the environmental impacts associated with intensive livestock production.
Creating silvopasture systems, which combine trees, forage crops, and livestock grazing, can further enhance environmental outcomes in New Zealand. Steps involved in establishing silvopasture systems include site assessment, tree selection, design and layout planning, tree establishment, forage management, livestock integration, monitoring and maintenance, and long-term management. Silvopasture systems provide ecological diversity, improve animal welfare, and offer benefits such as soil health enhancement, carbon sequestration, water quality improvement, shade and shelter for livestock, income diversification through timber production, and biodiversity conservation.
By adopting holistic grazing strategies and implementing silvopasture systems, farmers in New Zealand can create regenerative farming systems that contribute to increased biodiversity, reduced erosion, enhanced water infiltration, and overall environmental sustainability.
Holistic grazing systems, also known as regenerative or sustainable grazing systems, aim to mimic natural grazing patterns, improve pasture health, and enhance environmental outcomes. Implementing holistic grazing strategies in New Zealand can yield substantial environmental benefits, given the country's significant agricultural sector. Key components of holistic grazing include rotational grazing, which involves dividing pastures into smaller sections and frequently moving livestock to promote even grazing and vegetation recovery. This approach enhances plant vigor, root development, and biodiversity, while reducing soil compaction, erosion, and improving water infiltration and nutrient cycling.
Integrating different livestock species, such as cattle, sheep, and poultry, in a mixed grazing system offers synergistic advantages. Each species contributes to different aspects of grazing, such as controlling taller grasses, grazing closer to the ground, and assisting in manure breakdown, insect control, and nutrient distribution. Considering stocking densities and grazing timing is crucial for sustainable grazing. Matching livestock numbers with available forage prevents overgrazing, promotes pasture growth, and reduces the need for supplementary feeding, minimizing the environmental impacts associated with intensive livestock production.
Creating silvopasture systems, which combine trees, forage crops, and livestock grazing, can further enhance environmental outcomes in New Zealand. Steps involved in establishing silvopasture systems include site assessment, tree selection, design and layout planning, tree establishment, forage management, livestock integration, monitoring and maintenance, and long-term management. Silvopasture systems provide ecological diversity, improve animal welfare, and offer benefits such as soil health enhancement, carbon sequestration, water quality improvement, shade and shelter for livestock, income diversification through timber production, and biodiversity conservation.