I'm in the middle of my annual farm tour. It’s my 4th summer on the road - getting out to meet people in person and see regenerative agriculture at different stages across the country.

No two farms are alike. Even next-door neighbors face different realities based on their soil, climate, goals, and reasons for caring about soil health.

Building markets has been a hard row. CPGs and consumers aren't moving fast, and corporations won't bear transition costs (largely, there are a few exceptions like Seven Sundays and other SCI brand partners). But we're making progress connecting small groups of farmers with buyers and securing philanthropic funds to underwrite program and verification costs. 

Planting season is mostly wrapped up - the first big milestone of the year behind us. Driving through any farm community this spring and the hard work is impossible to miss - early mornings, dealing with whatever Mother Nature brings, and the persistence to keep going.

SCI farmer Jerry Volenec captured this perfectly after finishing his planting: 

“Finished planting today. Calves will do a thing, kinda like a dog will... end of their day, they’ll kinda nest up... I’m sure you’ve seen it... paw at the bed, circle, you know they’re thinking. Then they’ll lay down. And you know they are set when they let out a deep breath... almost a sigh. I’m there.”

The farm season is in full swing, with planters rolling across fields and the spring work rhythm taking over. For many of you, days stretch from dawn to well past sunset as you make the most of every workable hour. 

Weather remains our great humbler. In Arkansas, we just saw 15 inches of rain in 3 days - a stark reminder that Mother Nature holds the reins. These extremes seem to be our new reality: wild temperature swings, droughts followed by floods, and unpredictable planting windows. 

I’m sure things are getting busier every day with spring officially here.

It’s always neat to watch rural communities come to life as the days get warmer and longer — farmers out checking their fields, equipment starting to roll, and everyone just waiting for the right weather to start planting.  

“Down here in the Delta we’re already drilling no-till soybeans into covers – and according to our furry field specialist, we’re doing it right!” - SCI Farmer, Adam Chappell