Going against the grain: 9 lessons from a regenerative farmer about doing things differently
Doing things differently – to your norm or to society’s norms - can be daunting and challenging. But perhaps you know that change is needed. Something is not working, your values are calling you, you need to do something that matters, or find a way that works better for the individual you are. Whatever the push, like me, you might not be a farmer, but we can learn a lot from Sarah, a Regenerative Farmer I visited, and get inspiration for doing things differently.
Current ‘mainstream’ farming practices are not really sustainable in the long-term – for the farmers there is too much risk, too high costs, not enough income, too much instability, the lifestyle is very labour intense, doesn’t allow work-life balance, and sleep deprivation, stress and burnout are too common. Current practices are also often not sustainable from a productivity, ecological or human health perspective. Regenerative farming is increasingly appealing as a way that can address all these issues – beyond sustainability: improving and building, strengthening, and working with the natural systems already in place, rather than trying to fight or control them. But for farmers who are already at breaking point, the idea of doing things differently can feel like the last straw. Perhaps you know the feeling. This is the kind of feeling that can keep people on the same track until they can’t go any more – when the risk of burning out becomes even higher.
I visited Sarah as part of the Wye Adventure, my contribution to the efforts to protect and restore the River Wye – in which Regenerative farming plays an important role. I was interested to hear from someone who is going against the norm compared to her neighbours and peers. I loved learning about all the ecology, biology, and systems in action relating to the farm (my initial degree was in biology so that kind of thing is extra exciting for me), from Sarah who is hugely knowledgeable and passionate. I also found her to be a goldmine of learning and inspiration about doing things differently and embarking on beautiful new adventures. Here is some of what I picked up:
1. Different doesn’t have to mean harder, more investment or risk
The thought of doing things differently can be daunting, especially if you’re already stressed or overwhelmed. But sometimes the change can actually bring you more ease and solve the problems you currently have. Farming is rife with stress, sleep deprivation and lack of work-life balance. The methods that Sarah uses for her farm actually give her a better work-life balance, more sleep, and the ability to take time off. Is it possible that making a change will actually make things easier and reduce your overwhelm rather than add to it? Carrying on as you are might seem like the easier route, but is it really?
Sarah’s methods also reduce some of the risk, for example she is less affected by fluctuations in fertiliser, fuel and pharmaceutical costs. Her grass is more resilient and more tolerant of larger fluctuations in climate and weather. Her herd is less prone to loss through disease or calving risks. She’s not reliant on high capital investment (eg machinery), she doesn’t have to buy in feed, fertiliser, worming tablets or antibiotics. This is obviously a very specific farming example, but perhaps making the change your are contemplating could be less risky and simpler than you think.
2. Prepare the soil and let go
Sarah is a cattle farmer, but her main role is land management and improving the quality of the soil, and then letting nature take its course. I think this provides some brilliant analogies about focussing on what is directly within our influence or control, creating the right conditions for success, and then seeing what happens and allowing the outcomes to unfold. Through her work, all sorts of wonderful things are happening – dung beetles are returning (and these have a crucial role in the ecosystem), wildflowers and orchids are returning, and a variety of birds including birds of prey, like kestrels, are returning.
3. Be curious
Sarah sees challenge as interesting. She likes learning and experiencing new things, trying things out, and approaching life with curiosity. Psychologists find that a curious mindset helps manage the fears that come with doing things differently, and helps you choose activities that stretch you, develop skills and potential. Research suggests that being curious (which is a characteristic that can be developed and grown) increases resilience, predicts greater life satisfaction and longterm wellbeing, and more persistence at goals in the face of obstacles.
4. Plan and flex
Sometimes we think of being resilient as having grit, clinging on to the bitter end. But this can be a brittle form of resilience. Sarah spoke about a resilience of making plans, and adapting to what emerges. Flexibility and holding on loosely is especially helpful if you are ‘doing things differently’ because there is less likely to be a blueprint to follow, uncertainty is more likely and it’s harder to predict. This uncertainty can seem like a downside if you are someone that wants to have a plan and stick to it, but if you are able to flex and adapt, reflect and respond, you don’t need to have all the answers before you start. And to be honest, life is so unpredictable and influenced by so many complex and interacting factors that are outside of our control or just pure luck, that being able to cope with uncertainty and adapt is a really useful approach to resilience – whether you are instigating a change or not.
5. The thistle: Find the hidden value
Sarah admitted that to the typical eye what she’s doing might not look perfect and organised, but she finds a different way to value things, and she is good at spotting the hidden value. When the cows move to a new area, small birds come straight away because they disturb lots of insects which the birds feed on. Then kestrels and birds of prey come to feed on the small mammals and frogs that are disturbed. The chicory breaks up compacted soil whilst holding it together better so there’s less run-off (meaning this essential resource is better retained ), and competes enough with unwanted plants like docks and thistles, to make weedkiller unnecessary. And the thistles that remain? They’re very popular with the finches. The diversity in meadow grass and herbs provide different types of nutrients for the cows, with different purposes, including plants that contain natural worming properties. The lack of worming medicine allows dung beetles to thrive and play their very important role in a thriving ecosystem. Her cows are kept outdoors and she rolls the hay out onto the field: the seeds from the meadow hay propagate into the field, adding diversity; the cows eat and tread it in, nourishing the soil, and birds eat the seeds too.
Every little thing has value and purpose, is part of an interconnected whole and playing its part in the ecosystem. Seeing the world in this way builds our resilience and helps us to see how we fit into that interconnected whole too.
6. Avoiding risk or uncertainty might mean avoiding joy too
As far as Sarah is concerned, although there is risk and uncertainty, it is worth it because avoiding the risk would mean avoiding the joy and reward too. She thinks about all the joy she has had from watching wildlife return, the difference she is making to the ecosystem on her stretch of the tributary, and the experience she is able to offer to friends and family who come to visit. And she reflects that a lot of unexpected things have been good – such as the new species of orchids popping up, or the soil healing so much faster than expected allowing her to bring cattle in sooner than planned.
Sarah’s farm backs on to the Trophy, a tributary of the River Wye suffering extensive pollution. The way she farms is hugely (positively) impactful on the health of the River and wider eco-system.
7. Meet people where they are, find common ground
When you are doing things differently and going against the grain, people might not respond positively. They might say you are mad (before you do it) and brave (once they’ve seen it works). They might feel implicitly judged by your choice to do something different to them. It might make them doubt themselves. They might just not understand because it’s not familiar. And if you are doing something different it can attract more attention and scrutiny, and therefore if things go wrong there’s an audience that ‘told you so’. This can be enough to put you off trying anything different. Sarah’s way of approaching this is to meet people where they are and find common ground. She’ll talk about ecology with her landlord who is an ecologist and loves to help her identify new wildlife. But when neighbouring farmers take a look over the hedge to see what she’s doing she’ll talk about the parts of what she does that speak to common ground as business owners trying to keep costs and risk down.
8. Find supportive allies, mentors and community
It can be lonely when you are doing something different to the norm, and no one understands, or actively judges what you’re doing or makes dire predictions. So finding people who understand, who share your beliefs and can get excited with you about what you’re doing, or offer you advice and support, could be invaluable. Sarah has people like this in her life. I recommend Nature’s Blueprint CIC as a starting point if you care about a better future for people and planet - with access to free group coaching, supportive check-ins, and master-classes - as well as an in-person event in Bristol coming up in March.
9. Sometimes it takes a long time to see the results
It often takes longer than you thought to get to where you want, especially when treading new paths. Sometimes it takes time to (metaphorically) prepare the land, make roots and connections, establish the healthy soil, and create the environment for your plans to thrive. It might take a long time, but playing the long game by putting in the effort to ‘prepare the land’ could lead to greater yield and richer outcomes, more sustainable results and resilience in the long-run. In the meantime keep an eye out for the unexpected rewards, or the ‘sidequests’ that pop up, or signs that good things are happening - like a new species of orchid - to renew your motivation and hope.
Do you resonate with any of these learnings? What might they mean for your ability to do things differently in the context of your own systems?
If you want help to do things differently, contact me to talk about how 1:1 coaching can help you get onto a different path: christina.transformational@gmail.com or sign up to the not-for-profit member-led network, Nature’s Blueprint to find out about all the free online community events taking place. If you are interested in how soil health is linked to planetary health, and human mental and physical health, there are several Nature’s Blueprint members who can tell you more, and we will also be dipping into this at our in-person spring event in Bristol (6th March) as part of a restorative experience as we Reconnect, Reimagine, Respond (paid, discounted, pay-what-you-can and free tickets available).
