Working in partnership with farmers, institutions, and investors, Restoration Agriculture Development (RAD) creates real rural economic and community development to improve livelihoods, restore ecosystem services, and produce an abundance of food for humankind.
RAD is a full-service environmental consulting, research, and development firm committed to developing agricultural ecosystems that provide nutritious food for humankind while enhancing the life-supporting ecosystem services of planet Earth. Our founders, Mark Shepard and Dr. Wayne Dorband, have over 30 years of experience in environmental consulting, production agriculture, and real estate development. Together, RAD has worked on 100+ projects in multiple climates across 4 continents. Through active ecosystem management, RAD combines ecological restoration with agricultural development to improve your landscape.
RAD Helps
RAD Considers
Healthy Landscapes, Healthy People
Our purpose is to be a catalyst in restoring the world’s degraded landscapes into healthy, functional agricultural ecosystems as the context for the health and well-being of the populace, economically viable farm operations and empowered livelihoods.
It is our responsibility to create the rich, lush, living planet that our children and grandchildren will inhabit.
Rather than perpetuating the separation of nature and humans, RAD is breaking down the dichotomy of ecological restoration and production agriculture as we support farmers to become ecosystem managers; the ecological and agricultural backbone of the dawning restoration economy.
Restore and Thrive
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DESIGN APPROACH
Restoration Agriculture imitates the structure and function of the specific ecosystem’s natural plant communities while utilizing the appropriate agroforestry and water management techniques to produce an agricultural yield and restore ecosystem services.
Perennial crops, livestock, fungus, and pollinators are integrated to produce abundant food, fiber, and fuel and simultaneously restore critical ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water purification and infiltration, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity.
“Agroforestry is a unique land management approach that intentionally blends agriculture and forestry to enhance productivity, profitability and environmental stewardship. Agroforestry can be a key tool for farmers, ranchers, woodland owners, communities and others who want to use sustainable strategies that enhance agricultural practices and protect natural resources” – USDA Agroforestry Strategic Framework
Site Assessment & Planning
Comprehensive Water Management
Appropriate Agroforestry Techniques
Construction & Installation
Successional Management
"Restoration Agriculture: Real-World Permaculture for Farmers"
Restoration Agriculture explains how we can have all of the benefits of natural, perennial ecosystems and create agricultural systems that imitate nature in form and function while still providing for our food, building, fuel and many other needs — in your own backyard, farm or ranch. Get your copy now!PROJECTS
WANT TO START A PROJECT WITH US?
We develop win-win dealsTEAM
The RAD team is leveraged by a global ecosystem of professional consultants, researchers, and advisors.
Mark Shepard
Design & Development
Jeffrey Caston
Operations & Strategy
Karen Vanek
Nursery Manager
Wayne Dorband
Business Development & Design
Eric Berg
Professional Engineer
Kevin Wolz
Research Director
Lisa Brush
Advisor, Executive Director, Stewardship Network
Dennis Garrity
Advisor, Senior Fellow, World Agroforestry Center
Patrick Worms
Advisor, Senior Science Policy Advisor, World Agroforestry Center
TRAINING
Building the future of farming
Introduction and advanced training opportunities in Restoration Agriculture design. Courses available on one of our network farms or yours. We are growing the next generation of RAD pioneers.
Upcoming Workshops
Water Quality Workshop (Lake Erie)
Toledo, Ohio: August 30, 2016
Wild Earth Farm & Sanctuary
Irvine, Kentucky: October 17-19, 2016 (3-Day)
Bioneers Conference
San Rafael, California: October 21-23, 2016
Biodynamic Conference
Santa Fe, New Mexico: November 16-20, 2016
ACRES USA Conference
Omaha, Nebraska: November 29 – December 2, 2016
Restoration Ag Education Programs
Presentation (Topics)
3 Day Weekend Courses
5 Day Workshops
Our Partners
CONTACT US
3 Reasons To Start A Home Regenerative Farm
Regenerative is the new ‘sustainable’. Instead of just maintaining current agriculture production, many are looking towards regenerative practices to help reverse the negative impacts humans have had on the planet. It’s more important than...
read moreCongratulations to The Stewardship Network
Congratulations to our partners, The Stewardship Network, for winning the 2015 International Award for the Science and Practice of Ecology and Society! Although people and organizations in the Great Lakes region, USA take seriously their role as stewards...
read moreGuest Blog: Spencer Smith on the Restoration Agriculture + Holistic Management Workshop
http://jeffersonhub.com/regenerative-agriculture-workshop-with-mark-shepard-and-spencer-smith/ Regenerative Agriculture in the spotlight Regenerative Agriculture is sure getting a lot of attention these days, with the COP21 discussions in Paris and around the world,...
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