As a farming practice, no-till isn’t a curiosity or novelty today like it was in the 1960s, when a small group of determined farmers dared to make a change for the better by putting the plow away.

No-till wasn’t just a practice, but a mindset — and believing in yourself was a requirement back then due to the near complete lack of advice, direction or support from land-grant universities.

For growers adopting regenerative farming practices today — which include no-till, cover crops, livestock integration, reducing or eliminating inputs and more — there are similar challenges. 

Food companies, consultants and private industry are behind regenerative farming and the internet is a trove of information (maybe too much so?). 

In an op-ed shared in Fast Company, of all places, Rob Samuels talked about his journey to embracing soil health through implementing no-till, covers and crop rotation at Star Hill Farm Whiskey in Loretta, Ky. 

Ahead of Climate Week in New York City, Samuels talked a lot about the ‘why’ with his changes over the last decade. He talked about the support they received from no-tiller Gabe Brown and Understanding Ag, and their relationship with Regenified, which recognizes and certifies farmers, ranchers and communities for their dedication to biodiversity, soil health, water quality and ecosystem resilience.

Star Hill and Samuels have also been active with the Makers Mark Regenerative Alliance, which provides education and technical support to build healthy farm ecosystems. 

But back to the ‘why’ behind regenerative farming. Samuels said when new people join his team he usually hands them the book “The Infinite Game,” by Simon Sinek, which implores leaders to build an organization in pursuit of a just cause, “committing to a vision of a future world so appealing that we will build it week after week, month after month, year after year.”

“What really struck me about Sinek’s book is the idea that an infinite mindset isn’t about ‘winning’ in the traditional sense,” Samuels writes. “It’s about ensuring the game continues. For me, that means stewardship over short-term gains: How do we leave the land, our bourbon, our culture, and our industry stronger than we found it?”

This has been a difficult year for many farmers, especially those who are faithfully trying to make a living by following traditional markets that favor sending cheap grain across the world. 

"What really struck me about Sinek’s book is the idea that an infinite mindset isn’t about ‘winning’ in the traditional sense. It’s about ensuring the game continues..."