Nature works best when there is a diversity of plants and animals in the system. Insect pest populations can more easily be controlled when natural enemies such as birds and predatory insects are present. But to keep these beneficial organisms in agricultural landscapes and make sure that they can thrive, they must have a place to live, food to eat and no exposure to toxic pesticides. Interestingly, the key ingredient here is healthy, productive soil. Regenerative organic farming works by ensuring that soils can support a diverse range of habitats and crops for many different members of the ecosystem, re-creating the complexity that has long been missing in conventional agricultural landscapes. In the process, carbon is captured from the atmosphere and stored as organic matter in the soil, a win-win solution for everyone.
