While in the region attending Rodale Institute’s 2024 Regenerative Healthcare Conference, Will Harris, a highly acclaimed American regenerative farmer, spoke at Kutztown University. The Pennsylvania-based university recently launched a Regenerative Organic Agriculture track in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which it operates in partnership with Rodale Institute.
Will Harris, a sixth-generation farmer and the visionary behind White Oak Pastures, a 3,200-acre zero-waste production farm in Bluffton, GA addressed a crowd at Kutztown University about his modern farming practices and raising 10 species of livestock without steroids, antibiotics, or growth hormones.
Harris’ presentation, based on his new book, A Bold Return to Giving a Damn: Our Farm, Six Generations, and the Future of Food, highlighted his remarkable journey from industrialized farming to “Radically Traditional Farming,” and what he learned along the way.
Harris explained that of the major benefits of transitioning to regenerative agriculture has been the increase in his farmland’s soil health. He discovered an 11x increase of carbon in his soil.
Harris explained to Rodale Institute CEO Emeritus Jeff Moyer that when he realized his conventional farming practices were unsustainable, he embarked on a transition to a regenerative model. Once he made a change to focus on animal welfare and soil health, Harris said he was able to grow his company.
In response to questions posed by audience members, Harris said he believes consumers, not policymakers, will drive positive change in the food system.
Photos by Eli Pison
