Dear John,

As Farm Aid artist Micah Nelson says, "the soil is the most fundamental source of life." When Micah and his family were riding out the pandemic at their ranch in Luck, Texas, they decided to start growing their own food. But as anyone who lives in Texas Hill Country can tell you, it is rough, rugged terrain, frequently distinguished by densely packed, seemingly inhospitable earth. Fortunately, Micah's mother, Farm Aid board member Annie Nelson, met Tina and Orion Weldon at a farmers market and invited them to collaborate.

In "It's Not the Cow, It's the How," the newest episode of our podcast, we hear the story of how the Nelsons and the Weldons joined forces to regenerate and rejuvenate that Texas soil. Using the principles of regenerative agriculture they're bringing back grassland species, which are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant food economy. This form of farming is a viable alternative to the prevailing system of industrial agriculture.

Speaking of soil, our newest Farmer Hero also transformed his farm's soil using regenerative agriculture techniques. Phillip Lennon from Celtic Glen Heritage Livestock in Bloomington, Indiana, left his corporate job three years ago for 130 acres and heritage breeds. But the land he bought sat on compacted soil that wasn't in good condition.

So Lennon is focusing on rehabilitating the downtrodden soil using regenerative practices and ensuring that the animals on his land are bred to thrive in a mild and humid climate like Indiana’s. Emphasizing sustainability, he tends to his animals humanely and gives them the time they need to come to weight in a healthy manner. His Dexter steers, for example, take around 36 months to get to slaughtering weight, and that’s okay with Lennon. “A grass-fed animal [is] slower to maturity. The difference is in flavor and leanness of the meat. There are a lot of benefits to waiting. It’s a much healthier animal and it’s better for the environment,” notes Lennon.

All of these farmers have a care for the soil and ultimately our earth in common. Here's a way that you can bolster this type of farming: Head to our Action Center and demand that your Congressional representatives include support for climate-friendly farming in the upcoming Farm Bill.