Josh Payne advocates for sustainable farming

By Scout Nelson

Josh Payne, a farmer in Concordia, just east of Kansas City, is tending to his flock on a chilly September morning. A thousand or more sheep rush into the fresh grass as soon as he opens the gate.

The Payne family farm's main crops, corn and soybeans previously grew in the pasture where they graze. Josh's grandfather, Charles Payne, farmed row crops on close to a thousand acres for many years.

When Josh took over the farm management about 15 years ago, he realized the old methods were no longer sustainable. “I found out I’m allergic to herbicide,” he said. “My throat would swell shut three or four times a week during harvest.” This revelation led him to explore regenerative agriculture—a movement aimed at reviving soil health, ecosystems, and small farm economies.

Josh proposed several changes to his grandfather, including using cover crops, grazing sheep, and planting an orchard. However, Charles was resistant to these ideas. “I spent my whole life tearing out trees. We’re not gonna go plant them now,” he said, highlighting the generational clash in farming philosophies.

Despite their disagreements, Charles Payne, now 96, recognizes the evolving landscape of agriculture. Having farmed since 1956, he experienced firsthand the agricultural revolution that emphasized chemical inputs and large-scale production. “Now I wish I had some of them back,” he reflected on the fences and hedgerows removed to maximize crop production.

Josh is committed to changing practices on the farm. The Paynes now rotationally graze sheep among 800 chestnut trees using a method known as silvopasture, which helps maintain soil health year-round. They also practice alley cropping, where conventional crops are grown between orchard rows.

For Josh and Charles, adapting to new methods is crucial for the farm's future. “Grandpa, you made the right decisions for your time,” Josh acknowledged. “But that just looks different now.” They are optimistic about the markets for sheep and chestnuts, which support jobs for the family.

The shift to regenerative agriculture is not only a personal journey for the Paynes but also a reflection of broader trends in farming. As Chuck Rice, a professor at Kansas State University, notes, the health of soil is critical to the financial viability and resilience of farms. “We’ve lost 50% of our soil organic matter,” he stated, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable practices.

Cody Jolliff, CEO of the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture, emphasizes that regenerative methods are reminiscent of pre-industrial farming practices. “It’s really interesting ... because as we are going to these super modern methods, they also have a lot of resemblance to old methods,” he said.

The transition to regenerative agriculture is a long process, requiring time and investment, but it is essential for the future of sustainable farming. As Josh said, “I think people either got to get big or get weird. We chose to get weird.”

Photo Credit:gettyimages-shotbydave