USARAAI SUMMIT 2023
Part 1
This Summit was going to be a bit different. Our location changed to The Warehouse, an events venue next door to the Timeless Fence plant. Robbie Britton, owner of the venue, also does the videography for the Summits. Close proximity to the plant made it convenient for all the things that had to be brought over to tend our guests. The Warehouse was a perfect arena for the meetings as well. After a blustery week, we were hoping the weather would work with us, as the caterer and dining location were outside.
As with the Summits before, there were plenty of morning refreshments and beverages that incoming folks could enjoy while getting reacquainted with old friends or meeting new ones. The room filled up quickly and conversations quieted as Mike McElroy stepped onto the stage to introduce our first speaker, Dr. Allen Williams.
Dr. Williams has been with us the last 3 Summits and those who have heard from him, and put into practice the things he teaches, look forward to learning more. His first topic was regenerative agriculture on your farm. He began by telling us that he had many exciting things to share on regenerative agriculture and would do so over the course of the Summit. One of the neatest things he said was that the Understanding Ag group (he’s a founder) will be meeting next week, with the heads and key personnel of the USDA, including the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. They’re doing a workshop with them, and this has never happened before. This is a wonderful toe-in-the-door!
Over the course of the three days, he talked about the “carbon zero by 2030” catchphrase that’s being thrown around by big corporations now, but he feels they really have no idea how to get there. He reiterated his definition for regenerative agriculture: “farming and ranching in synchrony with nature and the four ecosystem processes to Repair, Rebuild, Revitalize and Restore ecosystem function starting with life within the soil and expanding to life above the soil.” What we see beneath the soil surface tells a centuries-long story. Dr. Williams said that we actually deal with 2 types of compactions; one is the soil beneath our feet, and the other is the one between our ears. Regenerative is all about life!
Other topics he covered were just as informative. He covered carbon markets, regenerative certification and ecosystem services, changing consumer’s understanding of agriculture. A paradigm shift results that will change consumer focus is what we’re seeing today. He says authenticity matters, especially when dealing with and marketing to concerned consumers.
On the last day he covered many important points on good marketing of your products, and what we need to know about processing animals. How can we make it work for us?
There was so much great info coming that it was difficult to take it all in. I could see people taking notes quickly, and even taking pictures of the slides. If I wrote all the great points covered, the whole article would be about this one presentation! Be sure and check out Dr. Allen Williams’ videos on YouTube.
By Sherrie Ottinger
