Monte Bottens is both philosophical and adamant about regenerative farming and soil health, holding to a less-is-more mindset while urging growers not to be “more-on” farmers.

The long-time no-tiller and entrepreneur is fond of 19th century German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer’s observation about truth:

“All truth passes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third it is accepted as being self-evident.” 

Bottens finds his outlook and message nestled somewhere between the first and second stages of Schopenhauer’s truth timeline, despite his own observations and success on his family’s farm near Cambridge, Ill. 

The operation has been no-tilled for 31 years, and for 28 of them his family has sought to minimize commercial nitrogen (N) fertilizers. They’ve used no fungicides or insecticides for 13 years, and used multi-species cover crops and non-GMO crops for a decade. Eight years ago they eliminated the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments. 

In 2017 Bottens added grass-fed beef to the farm’s portfolio giving him the livestock component so often highlighted as necessary to achieve maximum benefit from regenerative farming. His calves are primarily sold directly to consumers.

“We practice what we preach,” says the 5th-generation grower and founder of California Ag Solutions, Ag Solutions Network…