Regenerative farming encompasses practices such as holistic management, rotational grazing, agroforestry, and organic cropping. These practices have been used all over the world for centuries. By taking a regenerative approach, farmers help build healthy soils, protect waterways, increase biodiversity, improve animal and crop health, and increase overall farm resilience. These methods also help mitigate and reverse the effects of climate change by storing atmospheric carbon deep into the soil and in perennial crops. According to Project Drawdown, a global research organization that reviews, analyzes, and identifies the most viable global climate solutions, farms employing regenerative agriculture methods are seeing “soil carbon levels rise from a baseline of 1-2% up to 5-8% over 10 or more years, which can add up to 25 to 60 tons of carbon per acre.”
Regenerative farming at Williamson Preserve
TLC worked with a local advisory group, resource professionals, and Regenerative Design Group to develop a vision for the property and create the Agricultural Concept Plan for Williamson Preserve. Our vision is that the preserve will be a restorative landscape that connects all members of our community to historical, agricultural, and natural resources. The comprehensive site plan strengthens local food and farm production and the ecological functions of the land. The approach is titled, “Connecting regenerative farming to human health” which includes the formation of farms on the property through a series of strategic partnerships.
Farm Manager Eliza Lawdley works out at the preserve, and her duties involve supporting NextGen Farmers, developing programs and community engagement activities, and collaborating with AmeriCorps Service Members and volunteers
Newbold Farms LLC: Jake and Catherine Newbold have been rotationally grazing cattle at the Williamson Preserve since fall 2019. Newbold Farms is focused on healthy food for their community, managing pasture diversity, sequestering carbon, and improving herd health. This project is in partnership with NC Choices, an initiative of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems at NC State University. More information about their farm and process is available here.
Leaf & Limb’s Project Pando: Leaf & Limb are a Raleigh-based tree care service company. According to Leaf & Limb, “we care for trees because we love our planet.” Project Pando is a community-run, native plant nursery managed by Leaf & Limb that grows high-quality woody plants in the Chickasaw Plum Field.
