Regenerative

There is no standard for regenerative agriculture, and practices can vary from farm to farm. Generally, a regenerative approach is one that views the land as a holistic ecosystem and, as such, functions in harmony with nature. A cornerstone of regenerative farming is caring for the soil, which is contrary to the approach of conventional American agriculture. Practices like cover cropping—which reduces soil erosion and fosters biodiversity—create healthier soils that, in turn, sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce delicious, nutrient-rich food.

No-Till

Tilling is the act of turning over the top layer of soil—a common agricultural process. However, tilling can lead to soil erosion A.K.A. the loss of that topsoil, which is the main source of nutrients for plants. No-till farming is the practice of leaving crops to decompose on the surface. That layer of “old” plants both prevents soil erosion and, below the surface, encourages greater biodiversity.

Hand Tools

Heavy machinery comes with a unique set of hazards and headaches that we like to avoid. By keeping machines at bay, we remove the need for gasoline (which can leak onto fields) and the risk of soil-compaction—keeping our rows healthy and harvestable. Using hand tools is also a tribute to traditional farming methods that have been lost to industrial agriculture, and reuniting with these practices is important for the future of small farms. Common hand tools that you’re likely to see if you stop by Tao Farms NY are broad forks, scythes, and good ole’ metal rakes.

Soil Blocking

A method of starting seeds that requires more upfront labor but ultimately creates healthier plants. Rather than planting in cell trays, soil blocking uses a metal tool to create dense cubes, which effectively serve as both the growing medium and the container. Using this method, roots are able to breathe and avoid becoming “root bound.” It also means that we avoid the use of toxic, wasteful plastic trays. 

Composting

Composting is the act of recycling organic matter—like food scraps—into fertilizer for soil. There are many benefits of composting. It improves soil health, reduces erosion, saves money, and is an extremely practical way to reduce food waste. When you consider that 40% of food in America gets thrown away, it’s easy to see what a waste of resources that is. Furthermore, food tossed in the trash gets sent to landfills where it creates methane—a greenhouse gas 80x more potent than carbon dioxide. At Tao Farms NY, we practice vermicomposting (worms that expedite decomposition) and a Korean Natural Farming style of composting. All our CSA shares use compostable produce bags, quarts, and pints, and members are welcome to drop them off with us if they don’t compost at home.

Natural Inputs

You don’t have to go far to learn about the harms of chemical fertilizers, which are dangerous to both the environment and the end-consumer of products that grow on land where they are used. At Tao Farms NY, we only use all-natural OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute)-certified fertilizers and often opt to make our own, which take on the form of “compost teas.” To manage pests, we only use natural insecticides and employ other practices that naturally divert pests away from our crops. Although, most insects are welcome here!