18th Jun 2024 Gemini 1.5 Pro
Zebulon Horrell, a sheep farmer from Southland, New Zealand, and the founder of Future Whenua, discusses his journey from conventional farming to embracing regenerative practices. Raised on a 400-hectare sheep farm, Zebulon's perspective shifted after encountering a self-sufficient five-hectare farm in Austria. This experience, coupled with his exploration of permaculture, sparked a desire to enhance diversity and sustainability on his family farm and inspire wider change within New Zealand's agricultural sector. He emphasizes that his true education stemmed from real-world experiences rather than his formal agricultural studies at Lincoln University.
Although Lincoln University is well-regarded, Zebulon felt uninspired by its conventional approach, which lacked emphasis on ecosystems and holistic land management. He highlights the limitations of a reductionist scientific approach that failed to resonate with his desire for a deeper connection to the land. Zebulon's journey exemplifies a growing movement among younger farmers seeking alternative, regenerative methods to transform New Zealand's agricultural landscape.
Zebulon observes a rapid surge in awareness regarding regenerative agriculture in New Zealand, with the term becoming ubiquitous within agricultural circles. However, he acknowledges that practical implementation hasn't kept pace with awareness, attributing this lag to resistance from conventional farmers concerned about potential production losses and skepticism towards the scientific basis of regenerative practices.
Zebulon's experience partnering with Advanced Agriculture, a company specializing in chemical sales and monoculture promotion, reveals a willingness to explore regenerative methods even among conventional agricultural stakeholders. He emphasizes the importance of shifting from a principle-based approach to a practice-based approach, emphasizing observation and adaptation to local contexts. While regenerative agriculture in other parts of the world often focuses on replicating historical prairie ecosystems, Zebulon believes that true regeneration in New Zealand involves a return to its native forest ecosystems. He advocates for integrating native trees and diverse plant species into sheep farming systems, recognizing that achieving complete reforestation while maintaining agricultural productivity is a complex challenge.
Zebulon shares the story of Burning Horse, a music festival he founded on his farm, drawing inspiration from Burning Man and celebrating community, art, and connection to the land. What began as a small gathering with friends transformed into a multi-day festival attracting diverse communities, including artists, musicians, and spiritual seekers, fostering unexpected connections and breaking down societal barriers. He emphasizes the festival's focus on respect, reciprocity, and fostering a sense of unity among attendees.
"It's not very often you walk to a coffee shop and just talk to a stranger and get into your deep philosophies, but at a festival that happens like all the time. And when a farmer and a hippie folk that would otherwise be quite othering to, you know, 'Oh, those guys over there.' And you can see each other and you can see each other deeply, like, and sort of it helps that unity or the kotahitanga."
The festival's commitment to sustainability extends to utilizing local materials for construction, creating lasting structures that enhance the landscape instead of embracing the impermanence often associated with festivals. This approach reflects Zebulon's evolving perspective on resource management and the value of creating enduring, place-based experiences.
Zebulon discusses the Future Whenua Rural Education Program, an initiative aimed at equipping individuals with practical skills in regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and sustainable living. Despite operating on a limited budget and relying heavily on volunteer support, the program offers immersive experiences for individuals seeking to reconnect with the land and learn alternative ways of living. The program currently functions as a cadetship model, providing long-term stays for individuals seeking in-depth learning experiences.
The vision for the program extends beyond its current scope, envisioning the establishment of a dedicated learning center with accommodation facilities to host weekend workshops and extended permaculture living courses. Zebulon emphasizes the strong network of skilled individuals within his community who are eager to share their knowledge in areas such as permaculture, flax weaving, and nature awareness, highlighting the potential for expanding the program's offerings.
Zebulon passionately advocates for the revitalization of bioregional food systems, emphasizing the need to shift away from dependence on globalized food production and distribution networks. He laments the decline in locally sourced food in Southland, New Zealand, highlighting the dramatic shift from 80% self-sufficiency in his grandmother's generation to a mere 10% today. He acknowledges the economic realities of large-scale industrial agriculture but stresses the imperative of increasing local food production and consumption.
"It's not about a call to end the global air system and revert to this. It's just about we need to get that 10% number back to something a bit closer to what it used to be. And because we used to do it. We've proved it's possible. We didn't have the technologies and the access to resources that we do now. So it's just a bit about reverting to some of that."
Zebulon's vision includes establishing a community garden and food hub in Riversdale, inspired by the success of similar initiatives in other parts of New Zealand. He believes that creating a centralized location for local producers to sell their goods will empower small-scale farmers and food entrepreneurs while providing consumers with greater access to fresh, locally sourced products.
Zebulon introduces the concept of "regenerative bunkers," challenging the traditional notion of bunkers as isolated shelters for the wealthy elite. He envisions these bunkers as vibrant, community-driven food forests that prioritize ecological restoration, local resilience, and shared abundance. He believes this reframing can attract investment from individuals seeking genuine security and a deeper connection to the land.
"And I was just like, if people were building a mansion out in Glenorchy, which has this one windy road to get there, there's no food production there, there's a pretty limited source of water. It's like you're really missing the mark on actually what a bunker is. ... So what's a regenerative bunker? It's not a steel box in the ground, but it is, it's a food forest and it's a community that know how to manage that food forest and know how to build from local and know how to local materials and"
This concept highlights the interconnectedness of social, ecological, and economic well-being, emphasizing that true security lies in fostering resilient communities, restoring ecosystems, and creating a more just and equitable food system. Zebulon's vision underscores the potential for aligning the resources of those seeking refuge with the transformative work of regenerative land stewards, offering a compelling pathway towards a more resilient and abundant future.
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