Water: Droughts, Floods, and Balance

Pim Dik from Wageningen University talks to us about the importance of soil and how it can help us in extreme weather events such as flooding or drought.

The soil must be covered at all times by plants. Without the roots holding the soil in place, water flushes the soil (and its fertility) into the nearest water way.

Plants need water to function. There is a need for water to be available. Soil is like a sponge; in a drought and in a flood, it holds water. 

Here, soil on the left is pre-regenerative, full of soil erosion.

Soil on the right is after 12 months of regenerative management - cover cropping, mob grazing, and zero chemicals. 

Same soil type. Polar opposite management practices. 

Photo courtesy of Tim Willliams

Dr Charles Massy talks to us about how managed in the face of a drought. The image above is a border between a dust-bowl conventional farm and a rich regenerative farm.