Deidre Iciek, co-founder of Regenerative Connections and a Gladwin-based dairy farmer, knows firsthand that the demands of farming can be overwhelming. “The cows are always there,” she said. “It can be easy to get bogged down.”
With a focus on networking, sustainability and climate-smart farming practices, she and her Regenerative Connections business partner Brent Robinson are working to ensure that fellow farmers don’t get too bogged down to flourish.
Regenerative agriculture, Iciek explained, is an approach to farming that focuses on restoring and improving the health of the land while promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices like reducing the use of synthetic inputs, minimizing tillage and focusing on soil health and biodiversity. By implementing regenerative practices, dairy farmers can help mitigate climate change, improve soil quality, and support healthier ecosystems while maintaining viable and profitable dairy operations, Iciek said.
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Courtney JeromeRegenerative Connections co-founder Deidre Iciek.
The daughter of two veterinarians, Iciek grew up around animals and developed an interest in agriculture before starting college. After graduating in 2005 from Michigan State University with an undergraduate degree in environmental studies and applications and later from Central Michigan University with a master’s degree in general administration, Iciek started working in regulatory compliance in the agriculture industry.
She and her husband have worked to implement conservation practices on their farm, focusing on regenerative agriculture practices like cover cropping, alternative forages, reduced tillage and minimal inputs with progressive nutrient management planning.
Iciek realized early on that there was a gap between farmers and food producers.
“It really felt like at the farm level, their outlook was being missed,” she said.
Iciek and Robinson work to give farmers a voice by helping to connect them with food producers and sharing strategies for success.
Robinson, a Caro resident, graduated from Michigan State University in 2002 and began dairy farming in 2004. On his dairy farm, he uses sustainable practices such as appropriate crop rotations, cover crops, planting green, using alternative forages and alternative tillage methods.
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Courtney Jerome A tractor hauls manure on a growing cover crop.
“We knew there was a gap in the decision-making process,” Iciek said. “We wanted to let producers be participants in the pathways in front of us. I think it’s exciting when producers can have space to be creative. When there are environmental and economic benefits, all sorts of neat things can happen.”
Regenerative Connections works to take the risk out of implementing sustainable farming techniques.
“Sustainable farming is a moving target,” she said. “What it looks like is evolving. Agriculture has the unique opportunity to continue to do what it does and to be beneficial.”
Iciek devotes much of her time connecting with sustainability staff who work for food production companies.
“I’ve done a lot of trying to talk to sustainability people to find out their goals and their budgets,” she said.
While Iciek and Robinson have worked with companies like Nestle and Barry Callebaut, they are equally passionate about connecting with smaller corporations and food producers.
“There are all sorts of opportunities for connection,” Iciek said. “We can find producers to match the needs of companies. We just need to pair them up.”
She’s currently working with a dairy producer across multiple farms, helping them to meet their greenhouse gas reduction goals.
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Courtney JeromeJersey cows.“We’re constantly trying to evolve,” she said. “Not everything we do is a homerun, but we’re really trying to embrace change.”
In the fall, Iciek will visit participating farms to document successes. She’ll be figuring out what processes worked well and what needs to be changed for the coming year.
Because so much of farming is about attacking problems with creativity, she and Robinson often visit sites together so they can brainstorm. They offer consultations to new clients by appointment and travel throughout rural Michigan. They are also open to expanding into other states.
Iciek constantly looks for opportunities to connect with farmers and food producers and for ways to help them connect with each other.
“I’m always looking for opportunities where conversations can happen – any opportunity to move the needle in the right direction,” she said. “I’m always working to get broader adoption because ultimately, if we produce more with less, it’s good for everyone.”
James Weber is a fourth-generation farmer in Millington. He started his dairy farm in 2015 with 120 jersey cows and has grown to 250 cows.
“Our farm utilizes 800 acres to grow crops for our cows and to produce corn, soybeans and navy beans as a commodity,” Weber said.
He started his path towards regenerative farming in 2018 with some simple cover cropping.
“I was watching how others within the industry were adapting their farms to improve soil and how in doing so started a cascade of environmental improvements on their farm,” Weber said. “I wanted to embark on some of those changes for my own farm but finding others with a similar mindset was often challenging. Innovation had to come from within, and like many farmers I am stretched for time.”
That's where Regenerative Connections came in. Weber serves on the sustainability committee within the dairy co-op, Michigan Milk Producers Association, where he was first introduced to Iciek and Robinson. They made a presentation about connecting companies looking to improve sustainability within their supply chain with farmers who were working to implement sustainable practices.
“Working through Regenerative Connections, I was able to receive funding to cost share the implementation of several practices that have had a positive return for my farm both financially and environmentally,” Weber said.
His continued partnership with Regenerative Connections has allowed him to network with other like-minded producers and industry professionals who all have an interest in and focus on regenerative agriculture.
“Regenerative Connections has hosted farmer meetings and has pursued that bridge between producers of agriculture products and producers of consumer products,” Weber said. “I have had an excellent experience with and would recommend partnering with Regenerative Connections to any farmer or company looking to help in achieving their sustainability goals.”
Muskegon native Dawn Kemp has been writing about people and places throughout Michigan for more than 30 years. She lives in Kalamazoo with her husband and dog and is learning to play the ukulele.