Soil to Soul
Willie and his wife will never be wealthy by conventional standards, but on their regenerative farm, they're building something richer, a life deeply rooted in land, faith, and community.
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"Everyone longs for this in their souls deep down, to have connection to nature."
What Is Regenerative Farming?
Regenerative farming is an approach to agriculture that goes beyond simply sustaining the land, it actively works to restore it.
Unlike conventional farming, which often depletes soil through tilling, chemical fertilizers, and monoculture. Regenerative practices are designed to rebuild soil health, increase biodiversity, and strengthen local ecosystems over time. The goal is to leave the land better than you found it.
In practice, this can look like rotational grazing, where cattle are moved through different paddocks so the grass has time to recover. It can also mean planting diverse cover crops and reducing chemical use.
Regenerative farmers like Willie see themselves as stewards of the land rather than owners of it. It is farming with a long memory and a longer vision, one that measures success not just in this season's yield, but in the health of the soil decades from now.
Regenerative farmers like Willie see themselves as stewards of the land rather than owners of it. It is farming with a long memory and a longer vision, one that measures success not just in this season's yield, but in the health of the soil decades from now.
How long does it take to create healthier soil?
Step 1: Analysis and early correction (Years 1–2)
Reducing tillage and introducing cover crops allows microbial life and earthworms to return to the earth. This phase restores soil structure and improves the land's initial ability to absorb water.
Structural Building (Years 3–5)
Soil organic matter begins to climb steadily, allowing the system to sequester carbon and stabilize yields. Willie does this by implementing rotational grazing.
Soil Transformation (Years 6–10+)
Once soil carbon is balanced, this starts to create a diverse self-sustaining ecosystem.
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“Willie and I are never going to be wealthy," she says. "But I really believe we're rich. We're rich in community."
Willie and his wife Megan will never be wealthy by conventional standards.
After college, Willie landed a job with Simplot in downtown Boise, Idaho, working in turf management. He was employee of the month his first month. A full-time offer followed. By now, he reflects, he'd likely be retired, financially comfortable, set for life. He turned that job down.
The turning point came after his wife introduced him to a mentor named Johnny Ray, who handed him a copy of Wendell Berry's writing.
After college, Willie landed a job with Simplot in downtown Boise, Idaho, working in turf management. He was employee of the month his first month. A full-time offer followed. By now, he reflects, he'd likely be retired, financially comfortable, set for life. He turned that job down.
The turning point came after his wife introduced him to a mentor named Johnny Ray, who handed him a copy of Wendell Berry's writing.
"What was instilled in my spirit," he says, "is that love of the forest."
Today Willie practices regenerative agriculture, working with natural processes, moving cattle through different paddocks.
Today Willie practices regenerative agriculture, working with natural processes, moving cattle through different paddocks.
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"The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope."
"Everyone longs for this in their souls deep down," Willie says. "To have connection to nature."