Today is Earth Day and we are so proud to carry brands that have adopted sustainable or regenerative agriculture practices.
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
It’s a conservation and rehabilitation approach to farming systems that focuses on rebuilding nutrient dense topsoil which increases nutrient density in our food, increasing biodiversity, improving water cycles, and increasing resilience to climate change by drawing down atmospheric carbon dioxide by growing plants that move carbon dioxide into the soil.
This holistic approach makes food better for us and better for the planet.
Robert Hall Winery
As stewards of their land, Robert Hall Winery has a desire to constantly improve their soils, fruit and wine while minimizing their environmental impact and overall carbon footprint. Regenerative farming aids with this mission.
With help from world-renowned biodynamic consultant Philippe Armenier from Domain de Marcoux, Robert Hall Winery is currently taking part in a regenerative viticulture comparative study set across 40 acres of their vineyards. This study compares all aspects of growing under regenerative viticulture v. sustainable wine growing techniques and they aim to understand regenerative farming practices and their effect on the vineyards’ ability to sequester carbon and overall quality effects on soil, fruit and wine
The study will occur across 3 years and will track and measure:
Vineyard
- Organic soil carbon levels
- Soil microbiology
- Pesticide residues
- Organic matter
- Fauna/Flora differences
- Yield
- Brix, pH, TA
- Pest & disease (Botrytis, powdery mildew, mealybug)
Wine Making
- Sensory analysis (weight, structure, aromatic profile)
- Tracking color & tannin indexes throughout fermentation to evaluate extraction
- Phenolic panel on grape & wine samples
Robert Hall Winery will also be hosting Field Days that will be an educational hands-on experience explaining and teaching regenerative farming through biodynamic techniques.
Vande Rose Farms
Vande Rose Farms isn’t just raising pork, they are raising the standards of what pork should be.
This Iowa-proud pork producer works with a network of small family farms. Raising premium Heritage Breed Pork for gourmet restaurants and retailers throughout the USA.
From birth to harvest, their products reflect the tremendous amount of effort that goes into each of their animals. Believing excellence is built by tradition, for generations they have focused on what’s best for their pigs and the people they serve. Keeping their core values centered around humane treatment.
Their “no antibiotics ever” and “crate-free” production methods are just the beginning of how they stay conscious to their farm’s impact on the environment. Utilizing regenerative farming methods they are making sure production practices on the farm and in their processing plants benefit people, pigs, and the planet. Not just today but for future generations, making sure they focus on making the world a better place than they found it.
Vande Rose Pork is always:
- Raised Crate-free
- Made in the USA
- No Antibiotics Ever
- Vegetarian Fed
- No Growth Hormones
Capay Organic
Growing organically since 1976, Capay Organic is steadfast in their commitment to environmental sustainability and social accountability. They go “Beyond Organic” by maintaining healthy crop rotation, encouraging a diverse ecosystem around the fields, caring for their family of employees, efficiently using local water sources and carefully selecting produce varieties that grow well and taste great. They call it “beyond organic” because, today’s organic standard doesn’t offer certification for all these items, but they are steadfast in keeping their farming practices true to their core vision for a better food system.
Cover Crops – Cover crops play an essential role in improving soil health and are associated with numerous on-farm benefits, such as controlling erosion, improving water infiltration and managing nutrients. A cover crop is a plant that is used primarily to slow erosion, improve soil health, enhance water availability, smother weeds, help control pests and diseases, increase biodiversity and bring a host of other benefits to a farm. Capay Organic uses and plans their cover crops every year, ensuring soil sustainability and health.
Crop Rotation – Since the inception of their farm, one of their key farming practices has been keeping a high diversity of crops. Crop diversity enables farmers and plant breeders to develop higher yielding, more productive varieties that even have improved quality.
Irrigation & Water Management – In order to maximize the use of fertilizers, land, and equipment use, a plant must have as much water as it wants. This is most sustainably done by using irrigation systems that have excellent distribution uniformity. Additionally, these systems are operated on a schedule that matches plant water-use requirements while taking into account factors like weather and development stage of the crop.
Come support these great brands this Earth Day! You can find Robert Hall Wines, Vande Rose Pork and Capay Organic Greens and Vegetables at all Mollie Stone’s Markets locations today!
