Seeds of Renewal: Our Journey Into Regenerative Farming
“I once believed that the success of a farm could be measured by the health of its trees. Now, I understand: it is measured by the life in its soil.”
From Organic Farming to a Deeper Question
For years, Aldka Farm was committed to organic farming. We proudly avoided the use of chemicals, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers—not as a marketing choice, but as a deeply personal one. Our aim was to create a safe and clean space for our families and future generations. And yet, despite our dedication, one question began to trouble us more and more: Why is the soil not improving?
Every year, we had to baby-feed the trees. We applied compost, we nurtured the land, and yet the organic content of the soil remained stubbornly low. Something was missing. I found myself asking, again and again: What are we doing wrong? What are we not seeing? That question became a fire inside me—a realization that, even with our best intentions, we were still working against the natural rhythm of the land.
A Turning Point at Fruit Logistica
The turning point came not in the field, but at a trade show. We had been participating in international organic expos for some time—Biofach, the Nordic Organic Trade Show, Anuga, SIAL, Fruit Logistica—across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. These shows weren’t just selling platforms. They were places to meet, to learn, to challenge ideas. After the long Covid hiatus, I traveled to Fruit Logistica in Berlin with my assistant, Moheb Salah. It was there that we met Emil Underberg, a man whose curiosity and knowledge stopped us in our tracks.
Emil wasn’t just another visitor asking about our dates. He came back every day, tasting, asking, and probing: How do you farm? What’s your compost like? What’s your soil profile? He was looking for something. He started using a term I had never heard before: Regenerative Agriculture.
A Road Trip That Changed Everything
I was intrigued. We had a few days between Fruit Logistica and Biofach, and Emil invited me to learn more. Along with his associate, Tobias Aurelius Knoch, we rented a car and drove through Germany and Austria, visiting regenerative farms, compost producers, and biochar experts. Each day began at 5 AM and ended well past sunset. It was exhausting—and utterly transformative.
One of the most memorable meetings was with Gerald Dunst, a leading voice in compost and biochar science (more on him in Article 3). As we walked through his operations, I realized: This is what we’ve been missing.
What Regenerative Farming Really Means (And Why It Matters)
So, what is regenerative farming? Let me try to explain it as I understand it. Regenerative agriculture is about healing the land. It treats the soil not as a passive medium, but as a living ecosystem—full of bacteria, fungi, insects, organic matter, and potential. It’s about creating the right environment for life to flourish, both below the ground and above it.
Think of the soil like a city. Microbes are its citizens, fungi are its highways, roots are its water pipes, and carbon is its currency. Regenerative agriculture isn’t just about planting—it’s about building a society underground that supports life above.
It’s not about how much NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) you feed the plant. It’s about how you nurture the microbial community that, in turn, nurtures your crops. This mindset change was, for me, a breathtaking moment—a shift as fundamental as it was overdue.
Key Components of Regenerative Agriculture
Biological soil building: Feeding the soil, not just the crop. Encouraging microbial life, fungi, and organic matter to work in harmony.
Minimal soil disturbance: Avoiding plowing or over-tilling to protect soil structure and microbial habitats.
Cover cropping: Growing plants like legumes and grasses between rows to reduce erosion, retain moisture, and fix nitrogen.
Green mulch: Using plant residue to cover and cool the soil while feeding microorganisms.
Integrated biodiversity: Planting a mix of crops and trees that help each other thrive.
Closed-loop inputs: Using what the farm produces—manure, green waste, tree pruning, etc.—to feed the system.
These practices aren’t new. In fact, they’re very old. Regenerative agriculture is, in many ways, a return to the wisdom of our ancestors. Before industrial agriculture, people farmed in balance with nature. They used compost, rotated crops, cared for animals, and lived within seasonal and geographic limits. Somewhere along the way, we lost that. But the land hasn’t forgotten. And neither should we.
In our culture, especially in arid regions, the older generation always practiced a kind of regenerative logic—even if they didn’t call it that. They had Bustans. They conserved water, maximized shaded areas, composted animal waste, and allowed the land to rest. Their scale was human. Their knowledge was embedded in daily life. What we now call innovation is, in many ways, a rediscovery of their wisdom.
Why It’s Critical in Arid Regions
In arid regions like ours, regenerative agriculture is not just a good idea—it is a necessity. Our soil is sandy, dry, and exposed to extreme temperatures. Water is precious. Organic matter burns off quickly in the heat. Traditional methods of tilling and irrigating only accelerate degradation.
Regenerative Practices That Help Arid Climates
By building soil organic matter, we improve water retention.
By planting cover crops, we cool the ground, reduce evaporation, and enhance soil fertility.
By using biochar, we provide a stable carbon structure that retains nutrients and moisture.
By minimizing disturbance, we allow fungal networks and microbial colonies to establish.
We must view soil not as something we use, but something we invest in. A living asset that improves over time.
Soil Health: What to Measure, What to Watch
Real soil health isn’t about how dark or soft the soil looks. It’s measured by real indicators:
Soil Organic Matter (SOM): The percentage of carbon-rich material in the soil. Higher SOM means better fertility and water retention.
Microbial Biomass: The quantity and diversity of microorganisms—a strong indicator of life.
Aggregate Stability: The soil’s ability to resist erosion and compaction.
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): A measure of how well soil holds onto nutrients.
Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C:N) Ratio: A key balance for compost and mulch. Too much carbon (like dry wood) slows decomposition. Too much nitrogen (like fresh manure) can burn plants. We aim for a healthy balance to create vibrant, living compost.
Turning Ideas Into Action
Back at Aldka Farm, we began applying what we learned. Not just in theory, but in soil, sweat, and sunlight. Soon after our journey through Germany and Austria, we met two exceptional individuals at another trade show: Dominik R. Graf and Gottfried Prinze of Dattelbaer. They had heard about our dates and were interested to visit the farm.
As with every potential client, we invited them to see things for themselves. What we didn’t expect was how much they knew—and how committed they were to regenerative agriculture. That visit sparked a collaboration that continues to this day.
What We Implemented at Aldka Farm
Sourced organic seeds to use as cover crops.
Selected tree species to plant under the date canopy.
Developed in-house compost using a mix of green mulch, dry date matter, and animal manure from nearby farms.
Produced our own biochar from fibrous date waste—material too coarse for composting but perfect for carbon-rich soil amendment.
Created compost extracts to apply microbial teas directly to the tree roots and soil.
Now, Aldka Farm has entire plots dedicated to multilayer farming, with lime, moringa, neem, and other species growing among the date palms. We’ve begun measuring our progress—not just in yield or appearance, but in nutrient density, soil resilience, and taste.
A Journey Documented
Together with Dominik and Gottfried, we decided to document everything—not just the successes, but also the setbacks. Farming is never perfect. It is iterative. Each season teaches you something. And if we’re brave enough to share what we learn, maybe others can benefit too.
We don’t claim expertise. We are still learning. Still correcting. But, I believe, we are moving in the right direction. And this upcoming harvest—our first full season under regenerative practices—will offer a glimpse of what’s to come.
Closing Reflections: From Soil to Soul
The journey into regenerative farming has changed how I see the land, and perhaps, how I see myself. It’s not about productivity alone. It’s about respect, reciprocity, and restoration.
We are not just cultivating dates. We are cultivating trust—in the soil, in nature, and in our own ability to learn and adapt.
As stewards of arid land, we cannot afford to extract and exhaust. We must restore and regenerate.
And so, the seed has been planted. May it grow.