Regenerative Practices
Regeneration for every generation.
Our family aims to produce the cleanest and most delicious foods in a way that protects and enhances the soil, air, water, and the environment in which we live. We work hard to use all resources carefully and wisely and to farm systematically while integrating all aspects of our farming operations. We employ a whole systems approach and are proud of our efforts to educate others in the methods and possibilities of regenerative and organic farming.
We’re committed to building relationships based on trust and to treating all partners and employees with respect. We are proud of our efforts to sustain family farming and to promote the preservation of quality farmland in California.
Uniting for a regenerative future.
At Burroughs Family Farms, we believe that regenerative agriculture is a path open to all farmers—whether organic or conventional. With both Regenerative Organic Alliance and Regenified certifications, we’re committed to showing that collaboration across farming systems can lead to healthier soil and a stronger future for agriculture.Â
We are firmly committed to farming regeneratively. We believe it's the key to helping protect our planet.
5 Principles of Regenerative Ag
Keep the soil covered/Cover Crops
To maintain the health of our land, animals, and family, we keep portions of our farms open for natural habitat. The open space and working lands that our farms provide are beneficial for food production and prevent the negative environmental effects of urban development. We also keep the soil covered and do not open the ground up with tillage. This ensures the carbon stays in the ground and isn't released into the atmosphere.
Integrate livestock
Grazing animals actually improve the condition of the soil rather than damaging it, and a significant amount of carbon can be sequestered because the land is always kept covered and the roots and soil microbiome are nourished and left mostly undisturbed. Our farm has sheep and chickens grazing our organic orchard floors about 6 months of the year.
Diversity
At Burroughs Family Farms, we have worked hard to maintain a high level of biodiversity on our land, leaving a safe and sustainable environment for the native habitat. From installing owl boxes to preserving native grasses, we are committed to keeping that which is native to our land.
We have been working to restore plants native to our area including: blue wild rye, creeping wild rye, nodding needle grass, pine bluegrass, California melic grass, California saxifrage, purple owl’s clover, harvest brodiaea, California poppy, and more. Our livestock grazing practices have had a beneficial effect on the native plant communities of our grazed lands. The native grounds are also grazed when available throughout the year and used for calving.
No synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers
Our organic products NEVERÂ contain GMOs, pesticides, artificial hormones, or antibiotics.
No till/Low till
At Burroughs Family Farms, we believe in creating and maintaining a high level of biodiversity on each of our farms and have planted hedgerows around our crops to do just that. Our hedgerows include rosemary, butterfly bush, deer grass, lavender and more. They provide many benefits including: attracting beneficial insects, improving water quality, providing windbreaks, suppressing weeds, and stabilizing our soils. They also act as a barrier to keep out unwanted chemicals from the neighboring farms that surround us.
