Savory Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Boulder, Colorado with 50+ regional learning Hubs around the globe. Founded in 2009, the Institute has trained over 29,000 farmers, ranchers, and pastoralists and influenced management of over 32 Million hectares of grasslands through the adoption of Holistic Planned Grazing – a process that mimics ancestral grazing patterns of wild herbivores that co-evolved with healthy grassland ecosystems. Developed by Allan Savory in the 1960’s, Holistic Management (HM) has been proven in a wide variety of contexts to regenerate grasslands, build soil, increase biodiversity, and sequester significant amounts of carbon while also improving social and economic outcomes. The Savory Global Network is comprised of regionally-based Savory Hubs (learning centers), Accredited Professionals (field educators), and Regenerating Members (recurring monthly donors) which together are our scale-up mechanism for increasing adoption. Savory Hubs are all locally owned and locally operated training centers that, through Accredited Professionals, provide HM training, resources, and implementation support to local farmers and ranchers. With an intimate knowledge of local culture, economy, policies, and environment, Hubs are able to mentor producers and help them implement these regenerative management practices in a contextually-specific manner that is relevant to their region. The Savory Global Network currently operates across six continents. Since 2009, we have achieved the following impact: ? 50+ Global Hubs ? 29,000+ farmers/ranchers/pastoralists trained ? 32+ million hectares of land holistically managed Savory’s goal is to regenerate global grasslands and make a significant dent in carbon drawdown before it is too late. Through a growing global network, this goal is not just achievable, but necessary to create a livable planet for many generations to come.
Savory Institute的外部链接
885 Arapahoe Ave
US，Colorado，Boulder，80302
Join our Land to Market team next week in NYC at the Future Fabrics Expo ??
This is going to be a good one! Join us on Tuesday at the Future Fabrics Expo in NYC for a conversation about sourcing leather and fiber from regenerative farmers. www.futurefabricsexpo.org
Head of Nature-Based Solutions | Developing high-quality ecosystem restoration projects in West Africa
Podcast tip ! ?? Livestock is not the problem, but part of the solution. ?? In drylands, there's an enormous difference between effective rainfall and ineffective rainfall. ?? Grasses and herbivores co-evolved in grasslands. You cannot remove one or the other without causing damage. Most importantly: land degradation is a MANAGEMENT problem, not a technical or climatic issue. Thus, ecosystem restoration is also a MANAGEMENT challenge. Each time I listen to Allan Savory, new fundamental insights come up. If you're into ecosystem restoration and specifically dryland restoration, this is a great episode of the Real Organic Project. https://lnkd.in/eM7KEEQk
Earlier this week, the American public voted for change. While the full implications of this election remain unclear, its ripple effects will be felt worldwide. Some of you may be celebrating; others may feel a deep sense of uncertainty or even fear. Wherever you stand, know that Savory is here for you. Our mission endures and we are as committed as ever to building a better world through thriving, resilient landscapes and communities. At Savory, we keep our messaging apolitical because our work bridges a wide spectrum of ideologies. From conservative ranchers to urban environmentalists, regenerating landscapes serves anyone and everyone, irrespective of beliefs. Healthy, living soil unites us all. It forms the foundation for our food systems, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. It transcends politics, ideologies, and borders, reminding us that despite our differences, we are all bound by the same ecosystem processes. As Allan Savory reminds us: ”Ultimately, the only wealth that can sustain any community, economy or nation is derived from the photosynthetic process—green plants growing on regenerating soil.” This universal truth calls us to reach across the aisle and the fence, fostering dialogue and collaboration between groups who may see themselves as opposites. Whether you’re a rancher or climate activist, carnivore or vegan, conservative or liberal, the health of our planet depends on our collective ability to restore the landscapes we all call home. At Savory, we witness this unity in action every day. Our global network of land managers, ecologists, brands, supply chain partners, philanthropists, and conscious consumers – despite their diverse backgrounds – share a common commitment: restoring the world’s grasslands. They show that real, lasting change is possible when we focus on what truly matters—regenerating soil, enhancing biodiversity, and creating livelihoods resilient to the shocks of a changing climate. As we look ahead, we invite you to join this movement—not just as individuals but as part of a broader community that transcends political and geographic divides. Let’s take this moment to transcend divisive rhetoric and deepen our connection with each other and the land. Together, we can cultivate a future where people and the planet thrive in harmony. Let’s continue to find common ground—literally and figuratively—as we work toward a regenerative future for all.
Interesting old picture I turned up today
A year before I took this picture in 1966 this Extension Officer – Bob Vaughan-Evens (an old friend) stood on bare soil under these trees lecturing ranchers using a flip chart showing them the peer-reviewed range scientist’s research from Texas, South Africa and Rhodesia “proving” that the trees were stealing the moisture.?That is why the ground under them was bare with a cryptogamic crust. Bob on behalf of the Soil Conservation Service urged the ranchers to ring-bark and kill the trees, and to decrease cattle so grass could once more grow.? I was observing & a rancher asked my opinion.?Not wanting to hurt my friend, I asked everyone to observe and make their own deduction. Eventually one of them saw black from a fire on the underside of branches over 3 meters high.?I then asked how can the trees have killed the grass if there had been enough grass to give large prolonged flames so high??Clearly science (observation, deduction, interpretation, testing) as opposed to peer-review indicated the trees were not the reason for no grass.?This led to deeper discussion in which I advised the rancher concerned, who was not making a living with so few cattle, to double his number of cattle and use the Holistic Planned Grazing process that I would teach him and Bob to in a day. Doing that increased cattle could ensure higher trampling to break the crusted soil and no plants would be overgrazed as grass began growing again. This picture we took exactly a year later with Bob in the now vigorously growing grass. I would be wealthy if I could have a dollar for every thousand dollars ranchers and governments wasted in America and Africa on such damaging academic peer-reviewed research fitting data to beliefs as we humans do - and tragically continue to do.
FARM HERO?is a?new 9-episode TV series from executive producer Richard Lackey (The World Food Bank) that tells the stories of forward-thinking, land-regenerating farmers and ranchers from around the United States. With episodes following?Will Harris?of White Oak Pastures,?Phyllis Van Amburgh at Dharma Lea Dairy?in upstate New York, and?Parker Pastures?on the western slope of Colorado... we're proud to see such a healthy representation of stories from the Savory Global Network in this first season. …and GOOD NEWS! We’ve managed to arrange a private screening of two full episodes before they're available to the public on any streaming services, available exclusively to Savory Network members (including Hubs, educators, EOV Verifiers, and Regenerating Members.) We’ll be sending out a private screener link to all Network members tomorrow November 1st and the link will stay active through November 5th. Not a Network member? Don’t worry, you can get access to this private screening of FARM HERO by becoming a Regenerating Member with a monthly gift. As a Regenerating Member, you'll get access to the private FARM HERO screening, but you’ll also be supporting Savory's mission – helping to regenerate more landbases around the world with #HolisticManagement – while gaining access to the Savory Network's private online community, a free online Holistic Management course, and so much more. ?? https://lnkd.in/eRxmwgG
Last week we hosted a group from the Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum at West Bijou Ranch, one of our two Savory International Campuses where members of our network have a place to deepen their relationship with Holistic Management. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing bison out on the shortgrass prairie?
Bison are so majestic. ?? I visited West Bijou last Friday, a 7,500-acre bison ranch 1 hour from downtown Denver. It is one of two Savory Institute global campuses. The other global campus is in Zimbabwe, the birthplace of holistic management. The Savory Institute team led us through their Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV), which evaluates the overall health of the land base being managed. Both short-term and long-term assessments are taken periodically in the exact same locations. Often, we focus more on long-term indicators of regeneration and underprioritize short-term ones. We all want to see soil carbon and biodiversity increase (long-term) but ignore incremental improvements from observing bare ground, litter abundance, and manure decomposition. We get what we manage for. And you could see it plainly contrasting the neighbor's property. There was an abundance of sagebrush across the landscape. But on West Bijou's land? No sagebrush. They explained that when livestock are left to graze freely, shrubs can be established because of the uneven animal impact and rest cycles. Again, we get what we manage for. And we can manage in ways that regenerate landscapes and key ecosystem functions. Can't wait to visit in five or ten years to see the transformation from holistic management and animal impact. Allan Savory is a hero and, through holistic management, is helping combat desertification worldwide with the help of livestock. Thank you Regenerative Food Systems Investment for setting this up! #soilhealth #sustainableagriculture #farming #agriculture #organicfarming #regenerativeagriculture #farm #livestock #conservation #ecology
Update on our colleagues in Asheville and the event we held there this past weekend.
As our team travels back from Asheville for our annual event, our hearts are with everyone affected by Hurricane Helene in the area. Western North Carolina has suffered significant damage and is still facing disruptions to power, water, communication, and access to main roads. The storm has deeply impacted not only the people, but also the animals and land that define this beautiful region. We extend our heartfelt support to all the communities now recovering, including the Hickory Nut Gap Farm team in Fairview, our teammate Wyatt Ball in Tryon, and our retail member Earth Fare. Although the rains kept us from visiting the Hickory Nut Gap Farm, we were able to hold the event before the storm hit by relocating to an indoor conference center downtown. Thank you to everyone who participated and to @The Collider (CASE Consultants International) for opening its doors to us! For those wishing to help, Hickory Nut Gap Farm has shared a link to support recovery efforts: https://lnkd.in/gMxjQh4G. One of our members also shared The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund at this link: https://lnkd.in/eeWj-4CM. We will continue to update with specific ways to assist as we learn more. Our thoughts remain with all those affected as they begin the long road to recovery, and we are committed to supporting these resilient communities every step of the way. Savory Institute Explore Asheville
Happy 89th birthday to our founder and the man behind Holistic Management, Allan Savory! Many know of Allan's work, but few know the backstory of how Holistic Management came to be. Growing up in Rhodesia, Allan has lived a storied life full of adventure and adversity. This new memoir tells the tales of his boarding school days, tracking wildlife in the Northern Rhodesia Game Department, guerrilla warfare, leading the opposition in Parliament, his exile to North America, and so much more. These stories are more than just harrowing page-turners. They paint the picture of how one man's life – along with a hefty dose of luck and perseverance – provided the unique experiences and insights that formed the basis for #HolisticManagement. We can't wait for you to read his upcoming memoir, scheduled to be released in the coming months. Join the pre-sale list to be notified when the book is released, get 10% off, and receive bonus content. ?? https://lnkd.in/gMGsFUDX
Carry on the carnival. Seem Bezos has no scientific advisors at all, I would have thought he could afford at least one. https://lnkd.in/esPUJxfv
If you haven’t yet, check out the work of Arizona Savory Hub leader and civil engineer Ricardo Aguirre. He and his team at Drylands Alliance for Addressing Water Needs are using #HolisticPlannedGrazing in floodplain drainage projects as an alternative to the conventional methods of pipe and concrete. They’re demonstrating that properly-managed livestock used as a tool for landscape regeneration is cheaper, it addresses root cause, and it brings along with it a host of co-benefits such as restored wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, and a profitable enterprise.
Offering Land Management as an Alternative to Engineering to Rehabilitate Watershed Health
Ten years ago this week, my rancher friend from Cochise County and my Navajo friend from Window Rock and I were in Zimbabwe learning about the power of #holisticmanagement at the Africa Centre for Holistic Management. I learned that this stream had been running perennial for two years and before that period it was ephemeral for forty years due to severe watershed degradation. Thanks to Allan Savory, this literal watershed moment dramatically transformed my thinking. Today, I have the privilege of both 1) running the Arizona Savory Hub, called Drylands Alliance for Addressing Water Needs, one of the 50 Savory Institute hubs worldwide endeavoring to restore the worlds grasslands and 2) managing WEST Consultants, Inc. Red Rock Office, where our team offers land management as an alternative to traditional drainage engineering. I am so grateful to all our clients who were willing to try this nature based solutions approach designed to target root causes of desertification, such as dust storms, soil erosion, flooding, and especially water scarcity. This has been an amazing journey so far, but there is a lot of work still to do. #civilengineering #floodcontrol #waterscarcity #regenerativeagriculture