Our Annual Checkup

Attention, armchair entomologists and soil microbe aficionados! This week, we're breaking out the soil probes and metaphorical magnifying glasses to count and monitor the unsung heroes of our farm - the bugs, bacteria, and all the tiny critters that make our soil come alive. It's time for our annual Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) monitoring, and I'm more excited than a dung beetle in a pile of cow poop!

Now, you might be wondering, "Cody, why are you so fired up about some fancy-sounding science stuff?" Well, let me tell you - this isn't just about ticking boxes or collecting data. This is about the very reason Andrea and I decided to dedicate our lives to farming: making the land better than we found it.

EOV is like a health check-up for our farm, but instead of a stethoscope, we're using soil probes. We're looking at four key indicators:

• Water
• Carbon
• Biodiversity
• Soil

Some of these are slow burners (like carbon sequestration), while others give us quicker feedback (like how fast animal waste breaks down in the soil)

The cool thing about EOV? It's not about comparing our farm to others. It's about understanding our land's unique story - its natural history, its potential, and how we can help it thrive. We're playing the long game here, folks. By measuring these indicators over time, we're painting a picture of our farm's journey towards rejuvenation.

But here's where it gets really interesting. EOV isn't just about cold, hard science. It's about using that data to create a holistic management plan that's good for the land, good for us, and good for you. We're talking about a net positive impact on our ecosystem!

Every farm is different, and that's why I love EOV. Our plan is as unique as our farm - what works for us might not work for a farm in Nevada or North Carolina. It's all about understanding our specific piece of earth and how we can help it flourish.

So, as we roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty this week, know that we're not just playing in the dirt - we're participating in a groundbreaking approach to regenerative agriculture. We're nurturing the land that nurtures us all.

Want to dig deeper into EOV? Check out  this blog post to learn more about this holistic approach to farming.

Here's to healthy soil and happy animals!

Your farmer and soil enthusiast,

Cody