Impact on Rural Economies
For decades, rural economies have been hurting. The already low population has dwindled as young people leave for better economic opportunities in urban areas. As the current generation of farmers and ranchers retire, fewer young people are taking on the work.
Poverty rates are rising. Climate change affects natural resources, which is the rural community’s economic base. Drought, erosion, flooding, and more extreme weather has taken a huge toll on soil health.
The rural economy needs regenerating, and a rotational agricultural system used for centuries before the advent of industrial, monocultural, and chemically-based farming may prove the way to do it.
Agriculture is a key component of the economy. Without it, the rest of the economy could not exist, because without farmers, there is no food. The ecological costs of conventional agriculture have been astounding. Sustainable agriculture methods can reverse this harm while enhancing the rural economy.
100% Grass Fed Meats delivery from Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed nourishes your body and can enhance your health. Your order also benefits the rural economy. Many of the farmers and ranchers employing the management practices on which their 100% grass fed beef cattle were raised are revitalizing land damaged by industrial farming. These methods are a key driver of rural economic development.
Regenerative Agriculture and the Rural Economy
On the micro-level, regenerative agriculture positively impacts the land in question. On the macro-level, it benefits rural communities and rural economies. According to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the trend toward a holistic land and livestock management is encouraging a new generation of farmers and ranchers to enter a sustainable family business. A recent study found that farms using regenerative agricultural practices were 78 percent more profitable than those using conventional methods.
Without the need for pesticides, grain, antibiotics, and growth hormones, and with less money going toward synthetic fertilizers, veterinary care, farm equipment, and energy costs, ranching becomes more profitable. By sharing their knowledge and aggregating market power, cooperative rural communities receive larger profits without sacrificing sustainability.
Larger companies are taking notice. Huge food producers such as General Mills and Cargill have pledged funds to support regenerative agriculture. The latter announced it will advance regenerative agriculture on 10 million acres by 2030. That’s almost double the size of New Jersey. Cargill is especially focused on water retention and greenhouse gas reduction.
The ecological benefits of regenerative agriculture help the economy by lowering agricultural production costs and increasing agricultural land value.
Building a Stronger Community
Those practicing regenerative agriculture build strong relationships with their customers and with other local farmers. Regenerative agriculture is always based in community. This community interconnection allows regenerative farms and the local economy to flourish. Jobs are created for local residents, as a larger labor force is needed. This regenerative agricultural economy brings with it a demand for experts in soil science, dealers in cover crop seeds, and a host of jobs related to regenerative agricultural techniques. Young people realize there is a viable future in farming.
The farmers undertake philanthropic projects benefiting the area. Because regenerative farming is environmentally responsible, soils are replenished, water sources protected, and native species’ habitat is restored. Regenerative farming requires creativity and collaboration. These practices were standard before farming on an industrial scale, and they are becoming the wave of the future.
Order 100% Grass Fed and Grass Finished Beef
When you order 100% Grass Fed Beef from Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed, you are doing more than ordering delicious and healthy meals. You are also providing important support to the rural economy with your purchase. We also have money-saving subscription bundles available.
