Behind the Scenes: A Visit to the Ulhorn Farm and Their Regenerative Farming Revolution
At ZEGO, we’re always looking for partners who go the extra mile to grow food in ways that support the planet, protect future harvests, and create stronger, healthier ingredients. That’s why we’re excited to talk about a recent farm visit by our founder, Colleen Kavanagh, to the Ulhorn family farm in Idaho—a farm at the forefront of regenerative agriculture.
Watch Colleen’s video to hear her first-hand account and learn more about these regenerative practices.
From Monoculture to Biodiversity
For years, the Ulhorns grew mostly wheat. But as climate and soil conditions shifted, they knew they needed a more sustainable path. Now, they’ve diversified their crops to build resilience into their land—one of the core principles of regenerative farming. This shift helps improve soil health, retain water, and reduce dependence on chemical inputs.
Compost Slurry: A Natural Seed Shield
Instead of using chemical coatings to protect their seeds (a common practice in conventional farming), the Ulhorns have created a compost slurry. This mixture, made from compost right on the farm, is used to coat the seeds before planting. Thanks to the beneficial bacteria in the compost, the slurry helps protect the seeds from pests and fungi—naturally boosting the plants’ defenses without relying on synthetic chemicals.
Even on their conventional acreage, this method is working wonders.
“They’re finding that they don’t have to coat their seeds with synthetic chemicals—even on their conventional fields—because the biology in the compost slurry is doing the job. That’s a powerful example of how nature can be the best defense,” Colleen shared.
A Regenerative Future
This spring, the Ulhorns are launching new organic acreage—an exciting step toward a more regenerative future. And they’re not stopping there. They’re applying these forward-thinking practices across both their organic and conventional fields, proving that regenerative farming isn’t just a trend—it’s the future of food.
We’re proud to partner with farmers like the Ulhorns, whose commitment to innovation and sustainability aligns so closely with our mission at ZEGO.
Together, we’re cultivating a stronger food system—from the ground up.