From No-Till to Regenerative Agriculture: Transforming Bulgaria’s Soil & Farms Part 1

Send us Fan MailCan farmers improve soil health, reduce agricultural inputs, and build more resilient farming systems without completely changing everything overnight?In Part 1 of this Harvesting Wisdom conversation, Mike McMahon speaks with Bulgarian regenerative agriculture advocate Petya Ivanova about the growing movement toward no-till farming, conservation agriculture, and regenerative practices in Bulgaria.Petya shares how her background in ecological engineering led her to explore the environmental impacts of modern agriculture and eventually work with farmers transitioning toward practices that rebuild soil function, improve resilience, and reduce environmental impacts.The conversation explores Bulgaria's agricultural history, the challenges farmers face when transitioning away from conventional practices, and how the Association of Bulgarian No-Tillers supports farmers through education, training, workshops, and community building.Petya also explains what regenerative agriculture can look like at different scales, from smaller farms to grain operations spanning thousands of hectares, and why successful regeneration begins with reducing soil disturbance, protecting the soil surface, rebuilding soil biology, and working with natural processes rather than fighting against them.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:🌱 How Petya's journey into regenerative agriculture began🚜 Why no-till and conservation agriculture can improve soil health🌎 How Bulgaria's agricultural history has shaped its current farming systems🌾 How regenerative practices can work on large-scale grain farms💧 Why moisture retention is an important benefit of no-till farming🦠 Why rebuilding soil biology is central to regenerative agriculture🌿 How cover crops and crop residues can protect and feed the soil♻️ Why transitioning away from pesticides and fertilizers is a gradual process🐝 How healthier crops can support beneficial insects and biodiversity🐄 How livestock and grazing cover crops can fit into regenerative systems🌳 Why natural areas, windbreaks, and biodiversity can benefit farms🧠 Why changing the farmer's mindset is essential to long-term agricultural changeLEARN MORE ABOUT ABNTThe Association of Bulgarian No-Tillers (ABNT) works to support the development and understanding of no-till, conservation, and regenerative agricultural practices in Bulgaria through farmer education, knowledge sharing, community building, and initiatives supporting agricultural transition.Learn more about ABNT, their mission, and their initiatives:https://abnt.bg/CHAPTERS00:00 – Introduction to regenerative agriculture in Bulgaria02:04 – Petya's journey from ecological engineering to regenerative agriculture04:25 – What is ecological engineering?06:14 – Bulgaria's agricultural history and the post-Soviet transition07:03 – Land ownership, investment, and the changing agricultural system09:18 – Supporting farmers through education, training, and community12:56 – Early results from no-till farming14:17 – Reducing fuel, equipment, and production costs15:51 – Can regenerative agriculture work at large scale?17:05 – What does "regenerative agriculture" really mean?19:16 – The first step: reducing soil disturbance20:18 – Protecting soil with mulch and crop residues21:00 – Rebuilding soil biology and improving plant health23:10 – Why regenerative practices must fit the farm24:38 – The challenges of reducing chemical inputs26:58 – A Bulgarian farmer's no-till success story28:32 – What makes an agricultural system truly regenerative?29:39 – Integrating livestock and grazing cover crops32:09 – Land leases and the challenge of long-term stewardship33:15 – Biodiversity, natural areas, and changing the farmer's mindset37:36 – Episode conclusionIf you’re interested in regenerative agriculture, no-till farming, soil health, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, or the future of farming, this conversation offers a practical look at how farmers can begin rebuilding healthier agricultural systems while adapting to the realities of modern farming.Subscribe to Harvesting Wisdom for more conversations with farmers, researchers, educators, and innovators working to create healthier communities, more resilient food systems, and a more sustainable future.