The Profitable Steward

Ep. 77 Mark Shepard on Restoration Agriculture: Designing Land That Heals Itself

Jared Sorensen Season 1 Episode 77

Send us a text

Discover how to design profitable, resilient agricultural landscapes using the principles of restoration agriculture. In this episode, Jared Sorensen hosts renowned agroforestry expert Mark Shepard for a deep, practical conversation about transforming degraded land, capturing water, integrating livestock, and building perennial ecosystems that thrive under stress. 

Whether you're a rancher in the high desert, a farmer in the Midwest, or a land steward anywhere in between, Mark breaks down how to: 

  • Shape land to harvest and store water naturally
  • Use perennial systems to build soil and long-term resilience
  • Integrate crops, trees, and livestock into one profitable system
  • Reduce inputs while increasing total ecosystem yield
  • Apply restoration agriculture at backyard scale or large-acreage scale


Mark also shares insights from real projects across the U.S., and explains how restoration agriculture supports long-term profit, stewardship, and ecosystem regeneration.