What principles of regenerative agriculture do you employ in your practice?

The two main methodologies we follow, and integrate, are syntropic agroforestry and holistic management.
Syntropic agroforestry is a process based agriculture, as opposed to input based, based on the law of species succession. We use observation and management (planting and pruning) to grow our crops, rather than external inputs. Holistic management is a methodology that helps us make better decisions, and ensures that we stay on track to achieve the quality of life we desire. By using the tools learnt, we use plants and animals to achieve our environmental, social and economic goals. At their core both methodologies have the same basic principle; to maximise the capture of sunlight via photosynthesis, and turn it into plant growth. To achieve this, we follow principles such as maximum density of leaves for as much of the year as possible, 100% ground cover 100% of the time, and increasing quantity and quality of biodiversity.

Our initial vision was to turn our farm into an agro-forest, integrating both cattle and plants. After about a year, we had an opportunity to start growing pasture raised chickens, and soon realised with the size of our farm (28 acres), local market and the synergies possible with agroforestry, chickens would be the perfect addition to our agroecology. We have stayed true to our initial vision, and with 3 years experience we now see our practices become more attuned with the land, less inefficiencies.

Is your business currently profitable? If not, when do you expect it to become profitable?

In the current financial year (2022-2023), we expect our farm to be profitable. Excluding capital investment (such as purchase of chicken caravans and building of sheds), in the previous year the farm was also profitable.

What has been easier than you imagined it would be?

I wish there was something!

We presume you charge more for your produce than the market average. How has the price premium for your produce been received by customers? Have you received any surprising feedback from them?

We do indeed, our ‘Tree Range’ whole chickens sell for $26kg, while your standard industrial chicken in a supermarket can be found as low as $3.50kg. Those who buy our chicken value both the nutrient density and the welfare of the bird while it lived, and are prepared to pay the price that gives a fair reward to the farmer who does so. They know they pay more, but are also aware of the fact that they receive far more nutrition for what they spend, and also know that they are supporting the creation of ecology with their purchase.

What does diversity mean in your enterprise?

Diversity is everything to us, and is important on so many levels. However, when thinking of our agribusiness, we diversify, but not too much. This means we can focus on what we are good at, have an advantage in and are profitable, yet still have profit resilience if things don’t go our way. How this looks in reality is that within our agroforestry we sow seeds of hundreds of different species, but only intentionally manage for around 20 species and only have 2 or 3 as a cash crop at any one time. So our ecology benefits from diversity but we aren’t managing too much complexity with too many enterprises.

What does success look like for you as individuals, as a business, and for the ecosystem you are stewards of?

Success as individuals means that we have purposeful and stimulating work, while having meaningful social connections and time for leisure. As a business, success means we make investments that experience exponential returns, such as planting trees and improving the soil. We provide dignified work for our employees with fair reward and opportunities for learning. We make enough profit for a decent standard of living.

Ecologically, success means that the quantity and quality of life on our farm is greatly increased. Our ability to grow more nutritious and healthy crops is improved while needing fewer inputs. Our animals forage a high percentage of their diet on the farm, and live a life according to their instincts. We are making maximum use of the sun’s energy through photosynthesis. Our soils are open, porous, spongy and full of life. Our ground is covered 100% of the time.

How do you support others in your community, both within your industry and those with different enterprises?

We strongly believe that what goes around comes around. We tend to shop and eat at the businesses that purchase our produce. We often trade our chicken or eggs for other meats, veggies or anything else our neighbours may make or skills they have. Ultimately, this builds a local economy and fosters social connections. The agroforestry community has a strong ethic of seed and propagation material sharing, in the same ethic of ‘what goes around comes around’, where a gift given one day is often repaid in the future.

What government support is required for rapid adoption of regenerative agricultural principles?

For the most part, I prefer community led support to government. Government support and subsidies have a place, but in general lead to perverse and unintended consequences. For example, a government subsidy to make our best-practice chicken affordable to everyone may mean that farmers abandon other livestock or crops in favour of what’s included in the subsidy. Therefore, diversity in food available is lower and there are potential ecological implications from higher poultry numbers, and we could be worse off than before the subsidy.

A community led solution could be: those with means can ‘purchase’ our meat and veggies from us, which then get donated to food aid projects. Government support could look like; tax breaks, making renewable energy and water technology affordable, including agroecological and real nutrition knowledge in education, and reducing bureaucratic red tape for small business such as licensing fees and excessive paperwork.

What is a common misconception about your business?

Many people assume that growing livestock or produce is the hardest part of an agribusiness, however, it’s usually selling the product that is hardest. Obstacles include lack of access to markets and consumers, restaurants and stores not wanting small invoices and orders, high costs in storage and logistics, licensing and regulatory compliance and consumer preferences for out of season produce/produce that doesn’t grow in our area, amongst other things. Another misconception is that chicken does not vary with the seasons. We are used to seeing (especially) chicken on the shelves of supermarkets year round, however, when grown outdoors it can vary significantly. They can grow faster or slower, with different fat composition, and therefore changing taste.

Regenerative Agriculture is simultaneously ecological, social and economic. Building life, community and wealth. It also means the wider network of the farm is considered too – for example if our chicken feed came from a conventional farm using chemicals and depleting soil then how could we say our farm is regenerative, if we rely upon ones that are degradative? It incorporates the whole system.

Connect and support Misty Creek Farms

Misty Creek Farms’ vision is to create an agroecology that inspires. One that is so abundant and beautiful, people change the way they live, and therefore create a food system that heals the planet.