Eat your greens: The farmer creating soil that sucks greenhouse gas from the air
Even a summer of terrible weather hasnt dampened Jenny Luxs enthusiasm for her organic and regenerative market garden. Lux established her farm in Ngongotaha, a short drive north of Rotorua, in 2016. Today, she grows a highly diverse range of organic produce from herbs and microgreens to tomatoes, chillies, silverbeet and pumpkins. Her concern about the heating planet also led the family business to regenerative farming techniques , to maximise soil health so it can absorb greenhouse gas and store it out of harms way. Lux took a roundabout route into farming. As a young child, Lux lived on her grandfathers sheep and beef farm the next road over in Ngongotaha. READ MORE: * Can regenerative farming live up to the hype? * Organic sector aims to contribute $4.7 billion to GDP by 2030 * How regenerative agriculture has helped create a Waikato food hub * Climate explained: Regenerative farming can help grow food with less impact She enjoyed gardening with her mother, but envisioned her life overseas. After university, Lux became an ecologist, travelling the country helping councils and farmers to protect biodiversity.Then motherhood came along and soon after, an interest in establishing an organic farm. The family purchased a one hectare block that now supplies local cafes and restaurants and a Rotorua shop, Brown Owl. People can sign up to receive Lux Organics vege boxes during the summer, when yields are higher. Organic crops produce far less of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, per acre of land, than farms using synthetic fertiliser. At the same time, organic systems can produce lower yields smaller pumpkins, for example. But one study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that, even taking yield into account, organic farming comes out ahead. Since Lux established her farm, regenerative farming concepts became more popular. The practices can reflect Indigenous traditions. Studies including one from University of Vermont researchers back the idea of boosting the carbon stored in the ground. Current research in New Zealand by AgResearch scientists suggests the benefits arent clear-cut. Regenerative farmers attempt through trial and error, and others advice to constantly improve the health of the soil. Although the ideas overlap with many organic practices, Lux says, farmers can introduce regenerative techniques without undertaking organic certification. Organics, Lux admits, is pretty prescriptive: requiring lists of things that you cant or must do. Whereas, she considers regenerative farming to be more of a journey. Tilling (think a tractor pulling a plough behind it, breaking up soil) is avoided. We try to disturb the soil as little as possible, because that releases carbon to the atmosphere, Lux says. High-quality compost is also important. In addition, Lux grows crops together and determines which pair well. She tracks soil health closely, by testing things such as nitrogen and phosphorus, plus monitoring the growing speed and size of the crops. Theres just so much to learn about soil, she says. This winter, shell grow brassicas broccolini and cabbages with microclover. Shes hoping the latter will keep the soils network of fungi functioning through the colder season, because brassicas normally dont associate with them. The vast majority of the farm labour is done by hand, not machine. In 2017, the family bought an electric van to deliver their produce. Luxs efforts won her this years Organic Farmer of the Year award. As the new chair of Soil & Health Association, Lux would like to see the government promoting locally grown food, as well as organic and regenerative farming techniques. It could fund workshops and experts offering technical and environmental advice. Ive had to wing it a lot. Regenerative farming currently has a lot of positive buzz, but Lux doesnt want organic practices to be overlooked. Organic has quite a long history and depth to it. The farm has once again allowed Lux to garden with her mother. She comes here a couple of times a week to help, which is great. Shes 75... Its a lovely connection that we have. It also offers Lux a way to act on her concerns about the environment. Ive got two boys, aged 13 and 15. Theyre coming to understand the situation were in. I cant sit on my hands and do nothing, she says. Its a positive response to the climate crisis. People love the food. You get a lot of warm fuzzies when you grow delicious, organic food. Our weekly email newsletter, by the Forever Project's Olivia Wannan, rounds up the latest climate events. Sign up here .