During a historic drought in the southeastern U.S., Mike Herbert's regenerative farm thrived using hugelkultur beds and water-capturing techniques. By burying wood in trenches and mulching heavily, his farm remains moist and productive without irrigation. This input-free, drought-proof method supports abundant food production and family involvement, offering a sustainable model for resilient farming.
In the midst of the biggest drought in over 100 years affecting Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, many farmers and families face uncertainty about food security. Yet, Mike Herbert, a regenerative farm expert and homesteader, has developed a farming method that thrives without watering, even during these harsh conditions. This article explores Mike's unique approach to farming, focusing on hugelkultur beds, water conservation techniques, and family involvement.
Between September 25th and March 2026, the southeastern U.S. experienced record dry conditions, with Governor Brian Kemp declaring a state of emergency in 91 counties in Georgia due to wildfires and drought. Supply chains have been disrupted, causing food shortages and panic buying. Despite this, Mike Herbert's farm continues to produce abundant food without irrigation.
Mike Herbert is a builder, contractor, and regenerative farm expert with 13 years of experience in soil development, organic farming, and livestock management. He specializes in drought-proofing farms using hugelkultur beds and other water conservation methods. Mike farms with his wife and six children, creating a thriving family homestead.
Hugelkultur is a method of creating raised garden beds by burying wood and organic matter underground, then covering it with soil and mulch. Mike's approach involves digging trenches approximately 6 feet wide and 3 feet deep, filling them with logs and branches from cleared pasture trees, and covering them with subsoil, topsoil, and a thick layer of hay mulch.
Mike contrasts this with traditional hugelkultur beds that are simply piled on top of the ground, noting that his trench method is more effective at moisture retention.
Mike uses round bales of hay as mulch, which is one of the cheapest and cleanest mulches available. The mulch layer is typically 8 to 10 inches thick, which helps:
This mulch breaks down over time, turning the soil black and fertile.
Despite the thick mulch, plants still receive enough sunlight and moisture to thrive. For seeded plants like corn or beans, Mike pulls back the mulch, plants the seeds directly into the soil, and then covers them again. For starts like tomatoes and peppers, he digs a hole in the soil beneath the mulch and plants them directly.
Root crops such as potatoes and asparagus are simply placed on the ground and covered with hay, and they grow successfully without watering.
Mike also employs swales—shallow trenches dug on contour lines of sloping land—to capture and slow down rainwater, allowing it to soak into the ground rather than running off. These swales can be combined with hugelkultur beds to maximize water retention.
Additionally, Mike uses subsoiling techniques on contour to help water penetrate the soil without causing erosion.
Mike's farm produces a variety of foods, including:
His six children are actively involved in the farm, with some managing their own cattle herds. This involvement fosters a strong family culture, work ethic, and generational knowledge of farming skills.
Mike and the interviewer speculate that the lack of widespread adoption may be due to economic factors. Since hugelkultur reduces the need for commercial inputs, companies that profit from selling fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation equipment may not promote it. Additionally, the method is not yet widely known or taught.
Mike Herbert's innovative use of hugelkultur beds combined with water conservation techniques offers a promising model for drought-proof, sustainable farming. His approach not only produces abundant food with minimal inputs but also strengthens family bonds and preserves valuable agricultural knowledge.
As droughts become more frequent and severe, adopting such regenerative practices could be vital for food security and environmental health.
This comprehensive insight into Mike Herbert's farm demonstrates that with the right techniques, farming can be resilient, sustainable, and family-centered, even in the face of historic droughts.
