Soil improvements
From sand to soil, takes effort and time
When we started, the soil across the property was highly degraded. Years of annual plowing left it sandy, unable to retain water, and nearly lifeless in terms of nutrients and microorganisms. Our aim has been to reverse that damage: bring back organic matter, rebuild soil structure, and encourage the return of natural microorganisms essential for long-term fertility.
Instead of removing cut grass, we now leave it on the fields to decompose, adding organic material right where it’s needed. Almost year-round, a shepherd grazes sheep and goats on our land. Beyond the obvious benefit of natural fertilization with their manure, their small hooves break up compacted soil and help seeds embed and germinate. The result so far: noticeable improvements in soil health and reduced need for heavy machinery to manage grass growth.
Looking ahead, we plan to subdivide the property into smaller, fenced grazing patches. This holistic grazing system will keep the animals in one area for a set period before moving them to the next, allowing plants and soil to recover and increase biodiversity and carbon sequestration to build resilient ecosystems. Beyond that, there’s an opportunity to follow larger grazers with smaller animals, like chickens. Chickens can feed on larvae in manure left behind, which helps control flies and other pests, adding a second layer of natural fertilizers and improving soil biodiversity further.
