The answers are there, we just have to look. Restoration of the soil, using techniques that have been in use for decades, with scientific results, is possible to save the land in dry times. Intention is a big part of success. This grazier has planted the right “herbal leys” A lea is a grassland or pasture, the herbs implies a mix of different plants, mainly grasses, herbs, and legumes. The mix should grow at different times of the season, rotating naturally between plants for grazing. The herd, of a certain size in relation to the acreage being grazed, is moved through a series of smaller pens on the landscape, where they are pressured to eat quickly, not taking as much time to pick and choose the best stuff out, leaving the rest. This behavioral change in the cows means each pasture space is eaten evenly and well, then the animals are rotated to the next field space, letting the grazed down areas rest and rebound.
The rancher above sharing his experience, mentions the compaction he used to have on his fields. Rotational grazing is the answer to this issue, and the land restores quickly when proper use begins. I want you to see the lush green fields on this guy’s property. He’s doing things right, and in a drought. England’s agricultural economy is facing major hurdles in this climate change era. When we adapt, we survive, when we keep pushing outdated models that don’t work, we fall behind, and loose productivity, and our landscape dies, and eventually, we do too.
Leafhopper Farm will continue to use rotational grazing, diversity of plantings, and any number of adaptations to restore, replenish, and return this land to a thriving habitat for people, plants, and animals. Our own drought is putting a lot of pressure on the land here in Western Washington too. Smart design and active planning have kept our pastures productive, orchards heavy with fruit, and so far, no irrigation (this year). We will begin watering our young orchard soon to keep the fruit on the branch through it’s maturity to harvest later this fall. Today, August 22, 2026, we are receiving our first measurable rain in a month- and it’s not enough to sink into this moon dust soil. We’re in a 5 year severe drought.
Most, if not all the compacted land in our country could be restored if we chose to manage our livestock with more intention. Many ranchers today dump animals into seasonal pastures and leave them there until all the vegetation is gone. Then, they do it again the next year, without giving the land time to regenerate and recover. The longer your animals are in one place, the more time that one place needs to rebound. The method explained in the video above proves rotational methods with intentional plantings out. Our grazier also points out, that after his pastures recover, he can begin integrating commercial crop plantings back into the system as needed. He also smartly reminds us, that he could rent out the grazing duties to another grazier, if he has enough on his plate with other projects. The more active layers you can fold into restoration, the greater the recovery and future abundance. Let’s take a page from one farm making all the right choices and follow their example.
EEC Forest Stewardship 