Holistic Nutrition: Land Health and Human Health
Ever wonder why a homegrown tomato bursts with flavor, while a store-bought one can be bland and watery? That difference is more than just taste. It’s a direct reflection of the tomato’s nourishment—a richness of minerals and natural compounds that can only come from truly healthy, living soil. That flavor isa signpost pointing to a forgotten truth:
the health of our food is inextricably linked to the health of the land.
Where Did the Flavor Go?
A Story of Microbes
For most of human history, agriculture relied on nature’s intricate cycles. But in the mid-20th century, the “Green Revolution”; introduced a simpler, more linear way of thinking: just add chemical fertilizers (namely Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) and you’ll get more food.
The intention was noble—to feed a growing population. But the fertilizer shortcut came at a cost. By focusing only on a few key elements, we bypassed the complex, living ecosystem in the ground. Over time, in concert with plowing, herbicides, and pesticides, this approach diminished the billions of microbes in every teaspoon of healthy soil. It likewise diminished the millions of microbes in every root, stem, leaf, flower, and seed.
These soil and plant microbes are the master chemists of the underground world. They unlock essential nutrients for plants and help create the compounds—often called phytochemicals—that produce deep flavor, vibrant color, and act as the natural pharmacy for the plant, and the herbivores that consume it. When the microbes disappear, plants become dependent on chemical inputs, and much of their nutrient density is lost. Similarly, the diversity of the herbivore microbiome is diminished as they no longer consume the internal microbes of the plant.
Listening to the Land
A Tangled Web of Health
Linear "A causes B" thinking creates endless confusion in human nutrition. For instance, peer reviewed publications show that the following foods both cause and protect against cancer; wine, tomatoes, tea, milk, eggs, corn, coffee, butter, and beef. The debate is also hot on whether animal fats cause heart disease (Annals of Internal Medecine, 2019). I wonder why the native Americans and mountain men didn’t all die of heart attacks?
A more holistic view is emerging. A growing body of evidence shows a clear pathway: healthy soil creates healthy plants, which in turn create healthy animals—including us. We see this directly at Rancho Largo. The Bionutrient Institute recently tested our ribeye steaks and found they have an Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acid ratio of about 1:1. That’s a very healthy balance, comparable to wild-caught fish, and a world away from the inflammatory imbalance found in most conventional diets. This isn't a happy accident. It’s the direct result of managing for healthy soil and a diverse plant population. Life is good when you can balance your fatty acids with a ribeye.
The holistic view of nutrition may explain the ever-increasing rates of chronic disease including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. The lack of phytochemicals in the modern diet (ie. Nature, 2024), and the diminished diversity of the human microbiome (ie. JEM, 2018) are linked with chronic disease.
Herbivore Wisdom
For over 30 years, scientist Fred Provenza studied how animals interact with their environment. His research, summarized in the book "Nourishment," reveals something incredible: herbivores are nature’s original nutritionists. When given a diverse landscape, animals learn to select a complex diet of plants to balance their nutritional needs, acquire vitamins, and even self-medicate for parasites and sickness. Their guide is flavor. An animal's body remembers the nutritional and medicinal qualities of a plant's unique taste and can trigger a craving for it when needed.
We see this every day. Our cattle graze on dozens of different plant species across our 14,000 acres. While native grasses are their main course, they are constantly sampling other plants, guided by their body’s needs. Plant diversity gives our beef distinctive flavor (The Quest for Flavorful Beef) and nutrition—both are a direct expression of the land's health.
Provenza argues that humans once had this ability, but processed foods, artificial flavors, and a disconnect from our food sources have dulled our senses. Yet, the wisdom is still there. In a famous 1930s study, pediatrician Clara Davis allowed infants to choose their own foods from a wide variety of 34 fresh, whole options. Over the course of the study, every child naturally selected a perfectly balanced diet and showed exceptional health
Our Symbiotic Promise
At Rancho Largo, we believe regenerative agriculture is simply the act of re-discovering vital relationships. Nature’s invisible hand is wielded by the trillions of connections between microbes, plants, animals, and people. Adam Smith’s invisible hand is wielded by the connections between people. We strive to keep our relationship with our soil, our plants, our animals, and you—our community—in the symbiotic realm. The flavor and nourishment of the food we raise is the foundation of that symbiosis.
Cheers,
Grady
