Nature-realistic
The Basics
What does it actually mean to produce food nature-friendly? Here, we answer the most common questions.
What does "naturriktigt" mean?
Natural means that food is produced in harmony with nature's own systems instead of working against them. It's about balance in the soil, between plants, microorganisms, animals, and humans – and about letting biological processes govern instead of chemical shortcuts.
Is natural the same thing as organic?
No, but organic is often a foundation. Nature-correct goes further than regulations and focuses on how systems function over time: soil health, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and nutrient quality – not just what is permitted or forbidden.
Why is balance so important in nature?
All living systems seek balance. When this balance is disturbed – in the soil, in a plant's nutrient uptake, or in a human's diet – problems arise. Natural farming aims to restore and maintain this balance instead of compensating for imbalances with external inputs.
What is meant by living soil?
Living soil contains an active microbiome of bacteria, fungi, and other organisms. These make nutrients available to plants, bind carbon, retain water, and protect against diseases. Without living soil, there is no long-term sustainable food production.
Earth's Microbiome
The microbiome controls which nutrients the plant can absorb. Rich biological activity often leads to crops with higher mineral content, better amino acid profiles, and a more natural balance between carbohydrates, protein, and fat. This, in turn, affects human health.
Methods
Growing & Co-growing
How do we cultivate at Hasta Eco and why do the methods matter?
What is companion planting and why is it important?
Intercropping means that several plant species are grown together. This mimics nature's own systems and provides more stable nutrient flows, better nitrogen management, increased biodiversity, and less need for fertilizer. Intercropping is a cornerstone of nature-based agriculture.
Is intercropped food more nutritious than monoculture?
Research and practical experience show that intercropped systems often yield crops with a broader nutritional profile. This is due to better interaction between roots and the microbiome, as well as a more even supply of micronutrients.
Why does Hasta Eco grow without chemical pesticides?
Chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides affect not only pests but also soil life and the plant's natural defenses. When soil biology is weakened, the nutritional value and resilience of food also decrease.
How does artificial fertilizer affect plant nutrition?
Artificial fertilizers can increase yields in the short term but risk reducing microbial activity, impairing root development, and creating nutrient imbalance in the plant. Natural systems instead focus on biological nutrient cycling.
Climate-Positive Agriculture
Carbon is the basis for soil fertility. When carbon is bound in the soil, the soil structure improves, water-holding capacity increases, and nutrient flows are stabilized. Climate-positive agriculture means that more carbon dioxide is bound in the soil than is released – through photosynthesis, root growth, and microbial activity.
Effects
Climate & Health
How does nature-friendly agriculture affect the climate and our health?
Why is carbon sequestration important for food production?
Carbon is the basis of soil fertility. When carbon is bound in the soil, soil structure improves, water retention capacity increases, and nutrient flows are stabilized. This benefits both the climate and food quality.
What does climate-positive agriculture mean?
Climate-positive agriculture means that more carbon dioxide is sequestered in the soil than is emitted. This occurs through photosynthesis, root growth, and microbial activity – not through technical offsets.
How is a nature-rich environment connected to human health?
Humans are biologically adapted to food from living systems. Naturally produced food is less processed, contains more natural nutrients, and puts less metabolic strain on the body. This can contribute to better long-term health.
Why is sustainability not enough?
Sustainability often means reducing harm. Nature-based and regenerative agriculture, on the other hand, aims to improve systems over time – ecologically, biologically, and socially.
Until HERO
Hasta HERO is the community for nature-aligned thinking. Change happens not only in agriculture but also through consumer choices, engagement, and knowledge. HERO makes it possible to build systems together.
Commitment
Future & Engagement
What can you do, and where are we headed?
Is "naturriktigt" a traditional or modern way of growing?
Both. Naturriktigt is based on ancient biological principles but uses modern knowledge to understand and reinforce them. It's not a step backward – but a step deeper.
Is natural scalable?
Yes, but not through industrialization. Scalability lies in knowledge, systems understanding, and collaboration – not in increased chemical intensity.
How can I, as a consumer, contribute?
By choosing food produced in a nature-friendly way, supporting regenerative farmers, spreading knowledge, and participating in communities like Hasta HERO. Demand shapes the future food system.