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Bean Hollow Grassfed Farm: A Soil for Water Case Study

ID

SPES-637NP

Authors as Published

Presented by Eric S. Bendfeldt, Senior Extension Specialist, Community Viability and Food Systems, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences; Kim L. Niewolny, Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education; Katie Trozzo, Food Systems Network and Outreach Specialist, Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education; and Ernie Didot, Media Specialist, Clear Impact Productions

This publication is available in a video file format only.

Bean Hollow Grassfed Farm is a multi-generation farm located in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Rappahannock County. A core belief for Michael and Bean Hollow Grassfed Farm is having and encouraging a healthy ecosystem where farm and land management reinforce natural processes because a farm cannot be healthy if the land is sick. Sheep and cattle are their primary livestock, but they also have layers for eggs. Most of their meat sales are sold through their on-farm store. In this video, Michael shares about his early career as a researcher and educator with the Rodale Institute but also tells how the gnawing in his gut led him into farming and the move toward more regenerative practices that strengthen biodiversity, build soil health, sequester carbon, and his family’s efforts to mitigate climate change. Farming for Mike is about continuous improvement; assessment of finances and hard to measure ecological metrics; and making management decisions that push forward the adoption of regenerative practices, while being mindful of farm transition and conservation planning.


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Publication Date

November 6, 2024