Joshua Sparkes takes us on a deep dive into the world of natural farming, syntropic agriculture, and the future of food systems. We explore how he’s transforming landscapes through perennial crops, fostering biodiversity, and reducing reliance on conventional farming methods like polytunnels. Joshua shares insights on balancing ecosystems, the role of beetles and slugs, and his journey from traditional horticulture to regenerative agriculture. This episode is a must-listen for those interested in sustainable, resilient food systems.
Follow Joshua on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshua_sparkes/
Find out more about his work here: https://woolsery.com/thecollective/birch-farm/
Listen to the full episode on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/natural-farming-pioneer-were-quite-extreme-perennials/id1776101372?i=1000674422174
And Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3cQtv3f7FYq4PWPfhb7Kgb?si=f3GEhmrBS0yafguNxySrAg
The Huw Richards Show focuses on showcasing people, projects, and ideas that regenerate soil and society.
Chapters
00:00:00 - Is Natural Farming Effective?
00:01:12 - Importance of Biodiversity
00:02:25 - Role of Beetles in Ecosystems
00:11:41 - Transitioning to Natural Farming
00:14:01 - Military Background and Its Impact
00:15:47 - Natural Farming Philosophy
00:17:23 - Planting for Future Generations
00:20:11 - Chefs and Perennial Ingredients
00:26:44 - Market Gardens and Community Impact
00:28:01 - Syntropic Agriculture Explained
00:29:18 - Pruning Techniques in Syntropic Systems
00:30:32 - Annuals in the First Year
00:32:12 - Long-Term Farming Efficiency
00:33:18 - Creating Food Forests
00:34:59 - Tree Nesting for Biodiversity
00:36:15 - Agroforestry and Income Generation
00:40:34 - Comfrey's Role in Biomass
00:42:27 - Using Grass for Biomass
00:45:03 - Choosing Tools for Farming
00:46:48 - Learning from Mistakes in Farming
00:48:46 - Observation Over Reaction in Farming
00:55:10 - Growing Perennial Foods
00:57:40 - Using Trees as Vegetables
00:59:40 - Minimal Input Farming Techniques
01:01:31 - Sustainability vs. Municipal Compost
01:04:24 - Natural Farming Principles
01:07:33 - Weeds as Fertility Builders
01:08:44 - Digging and Biodiversity Balance
01:13:54 - Challenges in Natural Farming
01:15:04 - Natural Farming Trends
01:16:15 - Cultural Differences in Farming
01:17:50 - Importance of Biodiversity
01:23:44 - Perennial Vegetables Overview
01:25:50 - Future of Perennial Farming
01:27:50 - Workshops and Learning Opportunities
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