Learning from Native Biology: Farmer Shorty Fensky & Jill in South Africa

New podcast episode out today features an interview with Canadian farmer Shorty Fensky on how a South Africa ag study tour augmented his view of soil health, highlighting lessons from native biology and how farmers worldwide tackle challenges like compaction and weeds.

What happens when you take top-knotch, curious farmers out of their day-to-day environment and drop them into fields halfway around the world?

That’s exactly what Dr. Jill Clapperton and Canadian farmer Shorty Fensky experienced on a soil health study tour in South Africa. Surrounded by farmers from across the globe, they were able to see firsthand how different climates, soils, and even predators shape farming practices—and yet, the core challenges remain surprisingly similar.

In this week’s episode of The Jill Clapperton Podcast, Farmer Shorty Fensky & Jill explore the key lessons from the South Africa trip, share Shorty’s regenerative philosophy and practical tips, and discuss how farmers everywhere can apply these insights to improve soil health and farm resilience.

Here's a brief clip from the episode:

Canadian farmer Shorty Fensky shares insights on regenerative agriculture and their South Africa ag study trip.

🌱 Here are some of the key themes you’ll hear:

• Keep It Simple. Regenerative agriculture works best when it’s not overcomplicated. The most effective practices often come from paying attention to what your land is already telling you.

• Learn from your native biology. By observing how local plants thrive, farmers can design cover cropping, rotations, and even seed saving strategies that work with their soils—not against them.

• Value of study tours. Traveling to see how farmers in different climates deal with pests, weeds, and weather challenges opens new ways of thinking. Even though the specifics may vary, challenges like soil compaction, weed pressure, and soil fertility show up across continents.

• A toolbox, not a prescription. Regenerative agriculture isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a toolbox that farmers can draw from, guided by their own soil, climate, and goals.

• 
  

📸 Scenes from the South Africa Study Tour:

Farmers from the study trip to South Africa led by Jill Clapperton

Farmer Jussi Knaapi from Finland explores South Africa with. the farm study tour led by Jill.

Ducks are used to control snails and slugs in an apple orchard

Exploring the wildlife in South Africa

Learning from farmers in a whole different part of the world.

Learning about biodynamic winemaking from Avondale Organic Vineyard

Plenty of great discussions on the trip gave participants the chance to expand their

Learning about composting in South Africa

Exploring how vineyards employ cover crops

Learning about geothermal power

The apples were amazing. Learning how they do it here!

From orchards to vineyards, exploring South African agriculture

Avril, Shorty, Jussi and Jill learning, discussing and laughing in South Africa

Alongside the insights from the fields, this trip was filled with unforgettable experiences that show the interconnectedness of land, animals, and farming practices.

• Wildlife encounters ranging from elephants and big cats to curious baboons

• Learning about biodynamic winemaking from the Avondale Organic Vineyard

• Seeing how farmers use ducks to fight pests in apple orchards—a simple, creative solution that highlights the value of working with nature rather than against it

These images bring the lessons of regenerative agriculture to life, reminding us that farming isn’t just about crops—it’s about the whole ecosystem.

Shorty Fensky & Jill in South Africa: Listen to the Full Episode:

🎧 Listen to the episode now on your favorite podcast platform or 📺 watch the full episode on YouTube: @jillclappertonsoilhealth

☕ If you find value in these conversations and want to support our work, you can do so here: buymeacoffee.com/jillclapperton