Adam Chappell was an Arkansas farmer down on his luck. In 2010, it seemed like there was nothing he could do to save his family farm in Cotton Plant. Palmer Amaranth, a weed that is especially difficult to deal with, essentially ruined his family business.
At that point, the only way to fight the weed was to rely on chemicals that were both expensive to purchase, and drove away customers. The family turned its attention to a new method: organic and regenerative farming. This ultimately saved them.
Cereal Rye
The research of farmers showed that those in Pennsylvania use natural and organic ways to reduce the weeds on their properties. Those who grow pumpkins especially have a problem with hearty weeds, and they now use the system of cover crops to reduce its growth. The plant that works best for this purpose is cereal rye.
The family began planting cereal rye in order to clear out the weed. When they removed the rye, there was plenty of space and the right environment to start growing pumpkins. Both cultures are useful in terms of clearing the land, as well as for profit.
Where Are They Now?
The family remained in business after discovering and expanding upon this method. Their farm is now 9,000 yards covered in different plants throughout the year: all of which are profitable. The family continues to use cover plants as a way of dealing with weeds. These cover plants include cereal rye, black oats, daikon radish, vetch, peas, and clover. Their main crops are now soybeans and pumpkins.
Other Practices
The farm also implements a variety of additional organic practices. For instance, their farm is “no till”, meaning that the soil is not disturbed with plowing, and is always left with something growing on it to promote its natural ecosystem. The main benefit of this approach is a reduction on the need for irrigation, by 50%. This provides a major source of savings, as irrigation isn’t cheap.
Cultures that are kept in the soil throughout the year create a layer of insulation, thus keeping the water on it for longer periods of time. This is a simple and natural way of conserving water.
Herbicide
The use of cover plants means that farms use far less herbicides than those who do not focus on regenerative practices. It is possible to cut down on herbicide use by 50% with these practices, but that depends in part on what kinds of produce you raise.
This is because the weeds are controlled by using cover crops. It has the same effect, but cuts down on expenses and allows farmers to focus on a niche market that is highly interested in this approach to agriculture.
Economy Is Key
The story about this farming family is very important, as it highlights the broader point of regenerative agriculture. When the issue is discussed, it is usually talked of in terms of importance to the environment and our long-term health.
However, this family was in financial trouble as well, and was able to settle their bottom line through regenerative agricultural practices. The family is proof that the practice is viable financially, and could very likely get more farmers on board.
Arkansas Soil Health Alliance
Chappell understood the importance of regenerative agriculture, as it saved his farm. In an effort to spread the word to other farmers, Chappell headed the creation of the Arkansas Soil Health Alliance: an NGO with the goal of promoting regenerative agricultural practices.
Conclusion
An Arkansas family rebounded, after weeds nearly ruined their farm. Their answer was regenerative agriculture: cutting down on herbicides and artificial chemicals in lieu of using cover crops to deal with excess of weed growth.