This principle is often overlooked, and yet it is quite possibly the most important in achieving results. Understanding what already exists in the context of the farm business and its surrounding landscape is hugely important when approaching Regenerative Agriculture, whether it is factors out of your control such as soil type, rainfall, topography, or within your control such as available machinery or labour. Understanding these will impact the way in which the entire system is approached.

Different soils respond very differently to Regenerative Agriculture techniques. It is therefore important expectations remain realistic, as it is more a ‘journey’ rather than change appearing overnight. To successfully regenerate our soils, it is important to understand what the resource goal is for that area. This may be reduced erosion, increase mycorrhizal fungi, increase soil organic matter/carbon, increased available Nitrogen for the following crop etc…