The 6-3-4 Method

While the 6-3-4 principle framework was originally developed by Jean-Martin Fortier, a leader in market gardening and regenerative practices. Allen Williams and Gabe Brown, co-founders of Understanding Ag, have developed the 6-3-4™ Method to guide farmers and ranchers in implementing regenerative agriculture principles and practices.

This framework comprises six principles, three rules, and four outcomes aimed to restore and enhance ecosystem functions while ensuring agricultural productivity and profitability.

Six Principles of Soil Health

1. Context: Recognize that each farm operates within a unique set of environmental, economic, and social conditions. Tailor regenerative practices to fit these specific circumstances.

2. Limit Disturbance: Minimize physical (e.g., tillage), chemical (e.g., synthetic fertilizers and pesticides), and biological disturbances to maintain soil structure and health.

3. Armor the Soil Surface: Keep soils covered with living plants or residues to protect against erosion, retain moisture, and regulate temperature.

4. Build Diversity: Increase plant species diversity through crop rotations, cover crops, and polycultures to enhance ecosystem resilience and productivity.

5. Maintain Living Roots Year-Round: Ensure continuous living plant roots in the soil to support microbial life and nutrient cycling.

6. Integrate Animals: Incorporate livestock into farming systems to mimic natural grazing patterns, which can improve soil fertility and structure.

Three Rules of Adaptive Stewardship

1. Compounding: Implement practices that produce multiple, interconnected benefits, enhancing overall system health.

2. Diversity: Promote biological and enterprise diversity to create resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.

3. Disruption: Introduce planned disturbances, such as rotational grazing, to stimulate ecosystem processes and prevent stagnation.

Four Ecosystem Processes

1. Energy Flow: Optimise the capture and use of solar energy through effective plant growth and ground cover.

2. Water Cycle: Enhance water infiltration and retention to support crops and reduce erosion.

3. Mineral Cycle: Facilitate the recycling of nutrients within the system to reduce dependency on external inputs.

4. Community Dynamics: Foster a balanced and diverse ecosystem that supports plant and animal health.

By adhering to the 6-3-4™ Method, farmers can create regenerative systems that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially responsible. This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique context of each operation and applying adaptive management strategies to achieve desired outcomes.

For a more in-depth explanation (75m video):