10 Regenerative Practitioners – John and Molly Chester

A Change in How We Look at Things

John and Molly Chester were not typical farmers when the story of Apricot Lane Farms began in 2012. A wildlife videographer and a chef focused on whole foods and traditional ways of eating, they imagined a reality where they could access the most nutrient-dense food available, grown in harmony with nature.  From this vision, Apricot Lane Farms was born, and now they are sharing their journey with their community and the world.

When John and Molly came upon the land that would be-come Apricot Lane Farms, the soils were devoid of biology and compacted after decades of extractive farming. With Southern California’s hot and dry climate, soil erosion and topsoil loss were a constant reality, and without living roots and functioning biology, the little rain that did come was not infiltrating. In John’s words, they had “bought a bank that had been robbed.” With a desire to learn from the lessons of nature, and fueled by Molly’s tireless optimism and tenacity, they began their journey to regeneration, bringing life, nutrients, and biodiversity back to the land.

Discovering Biodynamics

Alan York (left), with Molly and John.

As a chef, Molly was attracted to growing food organically, but found that certain realities of organic farming, such as heavier tillage, were prohibitive to building the healthy soils they knew
the land needed to hum with life. Biodynamics offered a holistic approach to farming that went beyond defined practices to envision and steward the land as one integrated, living organism.  Biodynamic farmers work to manage interdependent elements in a way that supports the health and vitality of the whole. By listening to the land, one may sense what wants to emerge through it.

Animal Integration

Inspired by the teachings of biodynamics and their mentor, Alan York, John and Molly set out to craft a culture and ethos that  could guide a dynamic team in creating and stewarding an ever-evolving, abundantly biodiverse farm ecosystem. The farm now grows over 200 varieties of fruits and vegetables while sheep, cows, chickens, pigs, and ducks play their unique role amongst an increasing population of wild animals and insects on the farm. Cattle graze cover cropped pastures and leave behind rich fertilizer, the perfect place for flies to lay eggs, which become protein packed larvae, which become a part of the diet of the chickens that follow. Each enterprise serves a role and function in a grand orchestration that builds resilience into the farm.

Cover Cropping

As with any change in management, there is always risk and reward. Reintroducing ground cover drastically altered the microclimate at Apricot Lane, with a notable difference in humidity and temperature in the cover cropped orchards. This introduction of living, breathing plants improves water infiltration and micronutrient exchange allowing the health of the tree crops to benefit with more resilience in the face of drought.  This change also attracted unwanted pests that travel from drier areas and the lush oasis became gopher town central.  John says, “We focus on harnessing the solutions that we feel already exist in nature.” Solutions like snakes and birds of prey. Owl boxes and hawk perches can be found all across the farm. 10% of the farm has been restored to undisturbed wildlife habitat and corridors to promote the work of predators who play a key role in maintaining equilibrium on the farm.

Soil Fertility

To enliven and diversify soil microbiology, the team uses ingredients from the farm to create and apply vermicompost tea extracts to soils which introduces bacteria, protozoa, and fungi to fuel what has become a thriving soil food web. By generating fertility from within the farm ecosystem, native strains of various inoculants are recycled for a higher likelihood of establishing new microbial relationships, thus increasing capacity for micronutrient exchange in the soil.

The Biggest Little Farm

One unique aspect of the work at Apricot Lane Farms is the documentation of the process of regeneration. John’s passion for film has created the opportunity for hundreds of thou-
sands of people to learn about farming in harmony with nature. The trials and tribulations are documented and shared with candor and humility in the film, The Biggest Little Farm.  John says, “We cannot conquer nature; rather, we should collaborate with it. The hero in the film is our humility within the admission of our vulnerability and need for nature.” A reviewer put it potently, “To me, this story is proof that when we work in harmony with nature, the earth provides for us, nurtures us and cradles us. When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.”