Jill Demers believes that connecting food to nature improves human and environmental health. She was inspired to become a Nutrition Therapy Practitioner after one of her sons was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. By the time he was five, Alder was non-verbal and struggling. Jill knew in her heart that Alder’s diagnosis was masking a bigger issue; she believed he was sick. She began working with an NTP, and 72 hours after removing specific foods from Alder’s diet, Jill says he made eye contact for the first time. Within three years, Alder’s clinical diagnosis of autism was revoked. He is now a happy and active teen with plenty of friends and excellent grades, and Jill is confident that eating holistically grown food helped him achieve that. The experience inspired her to return to school and become an NTP.
Today, Jill’s mission is to help others change their lifestyles and use food to improve their health. It makes perfect sense that she and her husband, Jay, are using their regenerative farm on the banks of the Clark Fork River as a base camp for her work. The couple bought 60 acres of compacted soil and an abandoned gravel pit in 2020. The land was barren, over-grazed, and under-watered, and screaming for help. With their three sons, Jill and Jay vowed to restore the land to its former glory and started ReWild Ranch.
After three years, parts of their land can retain water and grow grass instead of weeds. Along with no-till practices, a rotational grazing system featuring goats and livestock dogs helps replenish the soil life. Cows, chickens and pigs will come next. The couple has proof that regeneration works; there’s a two-foot drop in topsoil between Jill and Jay’s property and their neighbor’s land! It’s an ongoing process, and plenty of work remains. But today, ReWild Ranch is a food, water, and energy-independent farmstead. They’re now growing vegetables in a small area and will expand soon with an NRCS-funded high tunnel.
After receiving a $50k grant from the Montana Department of Commerce to build an agritourism business, Jill and Jay are opening their farm this summer to people interested in learning how to better care for themselves and their families. Guests can stay at ReWild and participate in kitchen alchemy workshops to connect to food and nature and see how regenerative agriculture can transform a landscape and directly impact human health. Jill is keen to share her knowledge and passion for regenerative practices and strong local food systems; she’s currently working on putting out a cookbook! A lot is germinating at ReWild Ranch, and it’s all good stuff.
If regenerative growing appeals to you, but you live in a city, fear not! Catherine Sherriffs says earth-friendly gardening practices have no boundaries.
Garden inputs don’t have to be expensive or complicated. Av Singh writes about plant fermentation and making organic botanical brews to boost garden fertility.
When it comes to organic inputs for the garden, often the smellier, the better. Just ask Regi Oneton: he says if it doesn’t stink, you need to rethink.
Jill Demers believes that regenerative agriculture can heal the land and people. A personal experience helped her realize that food really can be our medicine.
From the forest to your plate, fiddlehead ferns are emerging as a modern-day superfood. Forage Girl is North America’s largest producer. Here is their story.
Peter Rabbit isn’t welcome in the garden, but his poo sure is. Haley Nagasaki writes about the benefits bunny droppings have on our plants.
Earth Day 2025 focuses on the need to create clean, cheap, unlimited energy for the world. We already have what it takes; we just need to harness the power.
Meet Reggie Weedman, a cannabis breeder committed to preserving genetic diversity with regenerative farming. See why Canna Country #26 became an award-winning cultivar and why full-spectrum effects matter.
Should you test your indoor soil? Hell, yes! Dustan McLean says testing organic soil is a crucial step that indoor growers shouldn’t skip.
