In the world of lawn care, sports turf management, landscaping, and farming, there’s a prevailing narrative that newcomers must begin their journey with conventional, chemical-intensive methods. This narrative, which I, Michael Stangl, once followed from the age of 16, is akin to a disturbance in soil – it sets progress back rather than moving it forward. Here’s a perspective on how we can shift this paradigm towards regenerative practices from the outset.
The Conventional Trap
When I started in 1981, the industry standard was clear: chemicals were the go-to for achieving the pristine, uniform look desired in lawns, sports fields, landscapes, and even in farming. This approach was backed by academia and industry practices, suggesting that one must first master the chemical route before considering alternatives. This mindset creates a cycle where each new generation of professionals begins with practices that degrade soil health and ecosystem balance, essentially disturbing the natural progression towards regenerative agriculture.
The Regenerative Alternative
Regenerative practices offer a different starting point, one that aligns with the natural processes of soil health, biodiversity, and ecological balance from day one. Here’s how new entrants can leapfrog the conventional phase:
- Education and Training: Institutions and training programs need to evolve. Instead of teaching chemical dependency as the foundational approach, they should introduce regenerative principles early. Courses should focus on soil biology, the benefits of organic amendments, and sustainable water management. This shift can be informed by my own educational journey, where I sought out knowledge on sustainable agriculture and soil health, moving away from traditional chemical methods.
- Mentorship and Community Support: Newcomers should be encouraged to join networks like the Ontario Soil Network or the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, where they can learn from practitioners like myself who have transitioned from conventional to regenerative. These communities provide mentorship, sharing insights on how to implement regenerative practices effectively from the start.
- Practical Implementation: Starting with regenerative practices involves using Nature’s Brew or similar processes that enhance soil life. Techniques like no-till farming, cover cropping, and integrated pest management should be standard practices. My experience has shown that these methods, while initially requiring more knowledge and perhaps patience, lead to healthier, more resilient ecosystems.
- Challenging the Status Quo: New entrants should be empowered to question the necessity of starting with chemicals. My journey reflects a realization that what we’ve been taught as ‘necessary’ often isn’t, especially when considering long-term environmental health. This requires a mindset shift, similar to understanding epigenetics, where we recognize the impact of our practices on all forms of life.
A Call to Action
To those entering the fields of lawn care, sports turf management, landscaping, or farming, consider this: starting with regenerative practices isn’t just an alternative; it’s the future. It’s about not repeating the mistakes of the past but learning from them. My journey from conventional to regenerative, spanning over four decades, shows that progress doesn’t have to be linear or backward. It can be a leap forward, respecting the wisdom of soil and nature from the very start.
By adopting regenerative practices immediately, we’re not just maintaining lawns or fields; we’re nurturing ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, and ensuring that our work contributes positively to the planet. Let’s break the cycle of disturbance and move towards a succession of progress in our practices, ensuring that the legacy we leave is one of health, sustainability, and wisdom for future generations.
