Beyond Calories: Prioritizing Nutrition from Healthy Soils

At Tyner Pond Farm, we believe that food is more than just fuel. It’s about nourishing you body with the nutrients you need to thrive. That’s why we’re committed to raising animals in a way that prioritizes their health and the health of the soil they graze on.

We understand that the best nutrition comes from the healthiest animals, and the health of those animals is critically dependent on the soil and its ability to cycle nutrients into the forage they eat.

When you buy food, you’re not just buying calories; you’re buying nutrition. The quality of that nutrition is directly linked to the health of the soil it came from. Healthy soil is teeming with life – microbes, fungi, and other organisms that break down organic matter and release nutrients that plants can use. This rich ecosystem creates a nutrient-dense environment where plants can thrive, providing high-quality forage for animals.

Unfortunately, many modern agricultural practices disrupt this natural cycle. The use of antibiotics, chemical fertilizers, and reliance on annual crops can all have a negative impact on soil health, and ultimately, the nutritional value of the food we eat.

As an informed consumer, you have the power to support practices that promote soil health and directly: your health. When you buy meat or dairy products, ask the following questions:

1. Were antibiotics used in the raising of these animals?

When antibiotics are administered to livestock, a significant portion passes through their bodies and end up in their manure and urine. This waste, when spread, either through grazing or on fields mechanically as fertilizer, introduces antibiotics into the soil environment.

The Negative Impact: Antibiotics, by definition,  disrupt the delicate balance of microbial life, not only in the gut of animals but also within the soil itself. This disruption interferes with the natural cycling of nutrients, making them less available to plants and, consequently, the animals that graze on them.

Additionally, the disruption of the gut microbiome in animals can impact their ability to digest food and absorb nutrients effectively, further diminishing the nutritional value of the meat or dairy they produce.

If you need another reason to avoid antibiotics in your food, the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This poses a serious threat to human health as infections become increasingly difficult to treat.

The Healthy Alternative:  Supporting farms that raise animals without the use of antibiotics helps to protect both animal and human health. Look for labels like Ask your farmer about their antibiotic use practices.

2. What kind of forage did the animals eat? Was it a diverse mix of perennial plants or a monoculture of annual grasses?

The Negative Impact of Monocultures:  Many farms, even those practicing no-till, rely heavily on monocultures of annual grasses. While these grasses can provide adequate calories, they often lack the diversity of nutrients found in a polyculture of perennial plants. Monocultures can deplete specific nutrients from the soil over time, leading to deficiencies in the forage and, subsequently, the animals that consume it. Additionally, the shallow root systems of annual grasses do little to improve soil structure or promote long-term soil health.

The Benefits of Perennial Polycultures:  Perennial polycultures, on the other hand, create a thriving ecosystem beneath the soil surface. Their deep and diverse root systems help to build soil structure, increase water infiltration, and prevent erosion. This diverse root network also supports a wider range of soil microbes, which play a crucial role in making nutrients available to plants. The variety of plant species in a polyculture ensures a broader spectrum of nutrients in the forage, leading to healthier animals and more nutrient-dense meat and dairy products.

Nutrient Availability in Detail:  Perennial polycultures often include legumes, which have the unique ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, enriching it for other plants. Deep-rooted plants and so-called “weeds” can access nutrients from deeper soil layers, bringing them to the surface and making them available to shallow-rooted plants. The diversity of plants in a polyculture also leads to a more balanced nutrient profile in the forage, ensuring that animals receive a wider array of essential vitamins and minerals.

The Healthy Alternative:  Seek out products from animals raised on diverse perennial pastures. This not only supports sustainable farming practices but also ensures that the animals, and ultimately you, receive the full spectrum of nutrients that nature intended. Ask your farmer about the diversity of their pastures and how they manage their soil health.

By understanding the difference between annuals & monocultures and perennial polycultures, you can make informed choices that support a healthier food system and nourish your body with the nutrients it deserves.

3. Were chemical fertilizers used on the pastures?

The Negative Impact: Chemical fertilizers disrupt the natural balance of nutrients in the soil, leading to deficiencies in some areas and excesses in others. This impacts the health of plants and the animals that eat them. Additionally, chemical fertilizers can leach into waterways, causing pollution and harming aquatic life.

The Healthy Alternative:  Supporting farms that use no mechanically inputted fertilizers and practice regenerative agriculture helps to protect soil health and water quality.  Ask your farmer about their fertilizer use practices.

By asking these questions and choosing products from farms that prioritize soil health and animal welfare, you’re not only supporting a more sustainable food system, but you’re also investing in your own health and well-being. Remember, the food you eat is more than just calories – it’s the foundation of your health. Choose wisely.