What exactly is Regenerative Agriculture?
Simple. It should follow the 3-legged stool analogy. The three legs being, environmentally sound, economically viable and socially just. If we score a 100% in the environment category but are not economically viable or socially just, then the stool will fall over, no matter how much carbon is stored, or how many petro-chemicals are eliminated, or how much biodiversity is enhanced.
Keeping each stool leg the same length is the great challenge. The most economically viable farm operations are typically externalizing costs on the environment and the communities surrounding them, while the most environmentally sound and socially just operations are not making any money.
The truth is all agriculture should be regenerative. We should raise food in a way that acknowledges our environmental boundaries, promotes biodiversity, enhances water quality, improves soil health, stores carbon, all in a manner that is socially just and economically viable. The challenge is that the world is complex and peoples’ views of what regenerative looks like are different which leads to different outcomes on the ground, despite using the same word.
At Caney Fork Farms (CFF) we are committed to keeping the legs of the stool balanced. Our mission is to inspire others with living proof that regenerative, organic farming in Tennessee benefits farmers, the community, and the environment. We do this by growing and selling vegetables and meat from our land in a way that we believe supports deep regeneration. We also work closely with a team of researchers to study our farm system as a whole. Our approach to research allows us to draw conclusions at the whole-system level, taking into consideration the integration and complexity of the agro-ecosystem. This work is not always easy but we believe it is important.
My name is Asher Wright and I am the new Farm Director at CFF and I have been working in this field for almost 20 years. My focus has been on diversified crop and livestock systems but I love all things related to agriculture and food systems, especially holistic thinking, agroecology, meat science, and resilient farm businesses.
My career experience began at the agriculture program at Warren Wilson College, which led me to work on farms around the US and Central and South America to better understand the social challenges within our food system.
After college I received an M.S. in Animal Science from Clemson University where I researched forage-finished beef, studying both animal performance and the interface between meat quality and human health. Since graduate school I’ve had a diverse career background working in both for-profit farm businesses and agriculture education and I am also an Accredited Professional with the Savory Institute. These experiences have helped shape who I am and are what led me to Caney Fork Farms.
I am very excited about the role that Caney Fork Farms can play in the world and the opportunity to be a part of a team working to make a strong business case for regenerative agriculture through the integration of research and production agriculture.
How can you support the Caney Fork Farms Mission?
Look for our products at the Richland Park Farmers Market and the East Nashville Farmers Market this season or sign up for our meat and vegetable CSA with pick up locations from West Nashville to Gainsboro.
