Summary
Montgomery (2017) presents a synthesis of farmer case studies and scientific evidence arguing that regenerative soil-building practices can restore degraded agricultural land whilst maintaining or improving yields. Drawing on visits to farms across multiple continents and engagement with agronomic research, the work contends that conventional tillage-based, high-input agriculture degrades soil biology and long-term productivity. The book makes a case for a transition to practices that rebuild soil organic matter as both an environmental and economic imperative.
UK applicability
Whilst the case studies span North America, Africa, and beyond, the principles — particularly regarding no-till systems, cover cropping, and soil organic matter restoration — are directly relevant to UK arable and mixed farming contexts, and align with policy directions under the Sustainable Farming Incentive and wider agri-environment schemes.
Key measures
Soil organic matter; crop yield; farm profitability; soil microbial activity; erosion rates
Outcomes reported
The book documents case studies of farmers worldwide who adopted regenerative practices — including no-till, cover cropping, and diverse rotations — and examines the effects on soil health, farm profitability, and long-term agricultural sustainability.
Topic tags
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