At Kreher Family Farms, soil health isn’t just a priority—it’s the foundation of everything they do. As one of the participating farms in Re-Nuble’s USDA-funded Circular Solutions for Resilient Farms initiative, Kreher Farms is exploring innovative ways to enhance soil biology, close waste loops, and strengthen farm resiliency. But building healthier soils takes time, patience, and collaboration. In this Q&A, we dive into what it really takes to transition to regenerative practices, why community is essential for success, and how circularity can help create a more resilient food system.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the history of Kreher Farms, how your family got started, and where you’re at today?
Mike: I’m Mike, and I’m a fourth-generation farmer at Kreher Farms. The farm started about 100 years ago. Initially, it was similar to many other farms at the time—my great-grandfather had a few cows, a few pigs, a large garden, and some fruit trees. But it wasn’t enough to fully support the family, so he worked off the farm in the city during the week, coming back to farm on nights and weekends. Over time, the farm grew to the point where it could support the family, and my great-grandfather discovered he really enjoyed working with chickens. So, he began focusing on breeding chickens, which became the primary revenue source for the farm.
My grandfather and his brother grew up working alongside their father. Over the course of years and as the poultry industry changed, the business evolved from a breeding and hatchery business in the 1940’s and 1950’s to an egg production business in the 1960’s. At that time, it was a very small operation—some of our eggs were sold directly from a cooler in front of the house, and neighbors would drop by, leave money, and take their eggs. Eventually, we built a small farm market next to the house to better handle the demand.
By the ‘80s, we started to see housing development around the farm, so we looked into ways to be good neighbors. This led us to begin composting chicken manure, which we sold to other farmers in the Finger Lakes region. Around that time, my uncle took a trip to visit some organic farms and returned with the idea of transitioning to organic farming. So, in the mid-90s, we started the long process of switching to organic practices.
By the early 2000s, we were growing organic crops while continuing to operate our conventional egg business. Eventually, our customers asked why we weren’t producing organic eggs, so we began building an organic egg farm. We started using the manure from our organic chickens to fertilize our fields, creating a more circular and sustainable farming system. Over the past 20 years, this system has grown, and now we have a large organic egg farm alongside a sizable organic crop operation.
We’ve also been expanding our vegetable operation. About 10 to 15 years ago, we began incorporating more vegetables into our crop rotations to manage weeds and improve soil health. So, today, we continue to focus on both organic eggs and organic crops, while also expanding our vegetable offerings.
Q: You mentioned that you grow both conventionally and organically, and also regeneratively. Can you talk a bit about the differences between these practices from both an operational and marketing perspective?
Mike: Whether we’re using conventional, organic, or regenerative practices, our goal is always to do the best job we can in the system we have. I understand that for marketing purposes, we need to differentiate between conventional, organic, and regenerative practices, but the reality is that farming is about doing what’s best for each field, each crop, and each situation. It’s not always black and white, and that’s what makes it so interesting.
From a marketing standpoint, there’s a demand for both organic and conventional products. Conventional farming can often be done at a lower cost than organic, which allows us to offer more affordable options to our community. But from a production perspective, organic farming requires much more effort, especially when it comes to weed and pest management. Organic methods tend to be more labor-intensive and expensive, as we have to rely on mechanical weed control and less-effective (but more expensive) organic crop protectants, which can result in lower yields compared to conventional methods.
One of the main drivers for us to transition to organic was sustainability. We take waste products, like chicken manure, and turn them into valuable organic fertilizers that help maintain soil health. Regenerative farming builds on the organic principles, focusing on improving soil health and reducing our environmental impact.
Regenerative farming is more outcome-based. It’s about achieving goals related to sustainability and soil health rather than just following a set of prescribed practices. One of the challenges in organic farming is that we have to disturb the soil more frequently for weed control, which isn’t as ideal from a regenerative perspective. Regenerative practices aim to disturb the soil less, which is difficult in organic systems but offers great potential for improving soil health and reducing the environmental footprint of farming.
Technology is also playing a big role in regenerative farming. For example, we’re seeing advancements in technology that can identify weeds in the field using cameras and target them with lasers or heat, rather than disturbing the soil with tractors. While these technologies are still developing and can be expensive, they offer exciting possibilities for the future of farming, particularly in how we balance organic practices with regenerative goals.
Q: Regenerative farming seems to require a lot of extra effort, energy, and resources. Do you think the market is responding to that effort? Are you seeing an increase in demand for regenerative products, and are you seeing better outcomes, like improved soil health and yields?
A: The short answer is yes. We're definitely seeing improvements, but it's a gradual process that takes many seasons. It takes time to really figure out the right approach, or “recipe.” For example, we tried planting tillage radishes in different fields and soil types, but they didn’t perform as expected. It took us a long time to figure out what works in different conditions because we had to plant, observe, and measure the outcomes. It's about trial and error. Over the years, we’ve dialed in our cover crop mixes and discovered what works best.
Another example is planting into rye, which has been really effective at managing weeds. Instead of driving a tractor over the field repeatedly to control weeds, the rye naturally acts as mulch, which keeps the weeds at bay. This method is sustainable and boosts yields, but operationally, it’s challenging and takes multiple seasons to get it right.
So, is it worth it? Absolutely. We’re seeing the results, but it takes years to get there. It’s tough for the average consumer to understand the complexities because they’re so far removed from farming. Regenerative farming isn’t just about flipping a switch from organic to regenerative; it’s about figuring out what practices work best for your operation and then seeing results over a long period.
From a market acceptance standpoint, there is interest, but the challenge is that with inflation, it’s harder for people to afford premium products. While regenerative farming is gaining traction, the economics of it are still challenging, especially in convincing consumers to pay for the extra effort involved.
Q: You’ve mentioned soil health as a key focus. Can you speak to the practices you’re currently using to enhance soil health, and why you chose to participate in the USDA Climate Smart Commodities grant?
A: The practices we use to enhance soil health are focused on feeding the soil, much like you would focus on gut health in a person. People understand the importance of probiotics and prebiotics for gut health, and it’s the same idea for soil. We want a variety of good bacteria in the soil to drive biological activity, which is key for soil health.
For fertility, we rely on cover crops and composted chicken manure. The root systems of the cover crops provide essential nutrients, while the manure introduces healthy bacteria. Just as we need a variety of bacteria in our gut, the soil needs different types of bacteria to thrive.
What excites me about the USDA grant project is that we’re introducing different feedstocks for the soil, which will help diversify the biological activity. We're also diverting waste from landfills, which is a win-win: we take food waste, turn it into fertilizer, and in turn, it feeds the soil, creating healthier long-term results.
Q: Why did you choose winter squash as the commodity to grow on frass-enriched fields?
A: We wanted to select a crop that could stand on its own at the supermarket—something consumers could connect with directly, without the need for processing. Squash is a whole, nutritious food that people can recognize, cook with, and enjoy in its natural state. Beyond that, squash is well-suited to regenerative systems because of its deep root structure, which helps improve soil health by accessing nutrients deeper in the soil profile. This makes it a great candidate for trialing frass-enriched soil amendments, allowing us to better understand how regenerative inputs can support plant growth, nutrient density, and overall farm resiliency.
Q: What advice would you give to farmers, especially those with smaller operations, who want to start transitioning to more regenerative practices but are worried about potential yield loss, resource intensity, and the time commitment involved?
A: My advice would be to connect with others who are already practicing regenerative or organic farming. That’s how we first learned—by visiting and talking to other organic farmers who helped us along the way. There's a huge network out there, with farmers willing to share their knowledge, best practices, and even specific tools or equipment that have worked for them.
I encourage farmers to attend conferences and get involved in the community, because you'll learn a lot from seeing what others are doing. But ultimately, what's going to work for you may not be the same thing that works on someone else's farm. You know your farm best—your soil, your crop rotation, your specific conditions. So take what you learn from others and start experimenting with the tools and techniques that seem like a good fit for your farm.
It will take time. There’s a long learning curve, and you need to be patient with the process. But that's where the network is invaluable—it can help you through the tough moments when things aren't going as planned. Being able to reach out to someone who's been through the same challenges and hearing, “I made it work, and so can you,” can be incredibly reassuring.
Q: Why is it important to practice circularity in agriculture?
A: We're talking about food, which requires a lot of energy and resources to produce, yet so much of it ends up being wasted. When food goes to landfill, all that invested energy is lost. That’s why circularity is so important—it allows us to capture that energy and redirect it into systems that grow food, so nothing goes to waste. By repurposing food waste and organic matter, we enhance the soil, improve fertility, and boost yields. Circular systems create a closed loop where every resource has value, reducing the need for synthetic inputs and promoting more sustainable, regenerative farming practices. This approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also strengthens the resilience of our farming systems, creating healthier soil and, ultimately, healthier food.
Q: Why is community so important for farmers looking to grow more regeneratively?
A: Community is everything when it comes to regenerative farming. We’re not in this alone, and that's something I’ve learned firsthand. The knowledge-sharing between farmers is invaluable—whether it’s about equipment, soil management techniques, or crop rotations. Regenerative farming is a process of trial and error, and it’s important to lean on the experiences of others who have gone through the same struggles. I've always found that other farmers, especially those practicing organic or regenerative methods, are eager to help each other out. There’s a deep sense of camaraderie because we all want to see each other succeed. Whether it’s visiting other farms, attending conferences, or just picking up the phone to ask for advice, community is what keeps us going during the tough times. It's about learning together and supporting one another, knowing that we’re all working toward a healthier food system for the future.
One of the things I really enjoy is working on the USDA grant project because it’s brought so many great people and organizations together to trial new circular technologies and share knowledge. That’s what it’s all about—collaborating, experimenting, and learning as a community to push forward regenerative practices that can benefit everyone.
— Alina Zolotareva, RDN, Founder of Fresh Future Consulting.
---
You can reach Alina and learn more here.
Learn more about the USDA Circular Solutions for Resilient Farms initiative here.
Learn about Kreher Farms here.