Ep 049, Jared Sorensen: A Regenerative Approach to the Family Ranch

Soul Soil: Where Agriculture and Spirit Intersect with Brooke Kornegay

Some people do things the way things have always been done. Others develop that curiosity muscle and are able to take in new information, weigh it against experience and, yes, intuition, and ultimately create new systems that work. The first thing Jared teaches a new farmer is “know thyself.”

Jared and Selena have been married 26 years and are the parents of nine children and one grandchild. They are 3rd generation ranchers, managing the operation Jared’s grandfather and father built in Secret Pass and Clover Valley, Nevada. Jared is a life-long learner and has been applying and teaching principles of holistic management, soil regeneration, and biodynamics. Jared has mentored many young people seeking to get a start in agriculture. The Sorensens raise and market grass fed beef, teach onsite and virtual classes, and offer internships on the ranch.

In this episode…

• partnering with his father and grandfather at age 16 making the shift to holistic, regenerative practices
• grazing management: mob grazing, the principle of thirds bringing the microscope to the farm: measuring the effectiveness of new practices by tracking the presence of a balanced microbial population
• healing the water cycle biologically—beavers as permaculture designers!; keyline systems
• the importance of knowing your why, knowing yourself…don’t set yourself up for failure by adopting a system that’s not yours, without taking the time to get to know yourself and what YOU were created to do here on this earth, your unique why…and then having the courage to embody that truth
• introducing a biodynamic approach to the ranch, being the human connection between heaven and earth to be better stewards of the earth, we need to increase our awareness, get past our “know it all” egoic tendency, moving past judgement and getting curious, knowing there’s something we can learn from everyone and every situation. A big dose of humility will serve us well
• it IS possible to break into agriculture without inheriting a farm Nature is more resilient than we give it credit for. There’s so much grace and forgiveness in trying to do the right thing, in getting past our arrogance and our ego. Progress can be made! Your self worth is infinite, it is separate from your net worth.

Resources

• Ruby Mountain Nourishing Foods (Sorensen Ranch)
• Sustainable Settings (Biodynamic Ranch in Colorado)
• The Profitable Regeneration Virtual Summit
• Searching for Home, Finding Grace free ebook from Jared Sorensen
• Searching for Home, Finding Grace hard copy