{"id":12141,"date":"2026-07-29T11:41:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T09:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tmg.hu\/?p=12141"},"modified":"2026-07-29T11:41:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T09:41:53","slug":"this-is-how-a-farmer-in-the-sand-dunes-builds-his-fields","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tmg.hu\/en\/igy-epiti-ujja-foldjeit-egy-homokhatsagi-gazda\/","title":{"rendered":"This Is How a Farmer in the Sand Dunes Is Restoring His Land"},"content":{"rendered":"

Farming in the Homokh\u00e1ts\u00e1g region has always been a challenging task. Due to the sandy soils that dry out quickly, increasingly extreme weather, and a lack of rainfall, many farmers are seeking solutions that will ensure the long-term security of their production. According to Zolt\u00e1n Szab\u00f3, a farmer from Kiskunmajsa, the answer lies not in even more intensive tillage, but in in regenerative agriculture<\/a>, lies in no-till technology and the deliberate involvement of animals.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Zolt\u00e1n
According to Zolt\u00e1n Szab\u00f3, regenerative farming and no-till technology could offer a long-term solution in the Homokh\u00e1ts\u00e1g region (Photo: Imre Krist\u00f3f\/Horizont M\u00e9dia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A New Perspective from a Family Legacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Zolt\u00e1n Szab\u00f3 took over the land from his parents, which had previously been part of his grandparents\u2019 farm. As he explains, he has seen since childhood just how much of a challenge drought poses on sandy soils. A prolonged drought can cause visible symptoms in plants in as little as two weeks, because these soils are unable to retain much water. This prompted him to seek a different approach. He has been farming with a regenerative approach since 2017, has been experimenting with no-till technology since 2020, and will be applying this technology across the entire farm starting in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sown
Sown cover crops, beech nuts, sand beans, and muhar on Zolt\u00e1n Szab\u00f3\u2019s farm in Kiskunmajsa (Photo: Imre Krist\u00f3f\/Horizont M\u00e9dia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Direct seeding, mulching, live roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the farm\u2019s key principles is to keep the soil uncovered for as little time as possible. Zolt\u00e1n Szab\u00f3 uses direct-seeding mixtures that include several plant species at once. The fields also feature square-stemmed vetch, rye-beet, muhar, and sand beans. Legumes are particularly important. According to the farmer\u2019s experience, the soil\u2019s nitrogen level quadrupled after growing lednek, a finding that has been confirmed by tests. Bean and sand pea also aid in natural nitrogen fixation, while leaving behind soil conditions that are more favorable for subsequent crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sheep don't just graze\u2014they also work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Animals also play an important role in the regenerative system. Zolt\u00e1n Szab\u00f3 currently keeps 30 ewes, but in the long term, he would like to expand his flock to 160 animals. He believes this is the carrying capacity of his land, and with a flock of this size, he could effectively implement short-rotation, intensive grazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sheep
The purpose of rotational grazing is not only to raise livestock but also to regenerate grasslands (Photo: Krist\u00f3f Imre\/Horizont M\u00e9dia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheep are not just livestock: through grazing, trampling, and manure, they can contribute to grasslands for its renewal<\/a>. Grasslands that have deteriorated and are no longer easily usable for mowing can thus once again become valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poultry Against Insects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the farm, poultry can also be part of the system. According to Zolt\u00e1n Szab\u00f3, the goal is not to confine the animals within four walls and concrete, but to let them work outdoors: fertilizing the land, controlling insects, and generating income in the process. This can be particularly necessary in areas where grasshoppers cause serious damage. According to the farmer, the insects first appear in large swarms on grasslands and can then go on to damage crops in the fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Free-range
Outdoors, poultry naturally control grasshoppers and other insects, while their manure also helps regenerate the soil (Photo: Krist\u00f3f Imre\/Horizont M\u00e9dia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Experiments on Sandy Soil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Zolt\u00e1n Szab\u00f3\u2019s farm also serves as an experimental site. He is comparing different varieties of rye and legumes to determine which combinations work best under local conditions and which are best suited for livestock farming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal is not necessarily to achieve maximum yield, but rather to find a system that is functional, economical, and builds up the soil. Due to extreme weather conditions, he uses lower seeding rates: if there is rainfall, production can still be economical; however, if a drought occurs, fewer plants will compete for the same limited amount of moisture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eOnly \u201dno\u2019 is the future\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Zolt\u00e1n Szab\u00f3 is convinced that tillage further degrades soil condition in sandy ridge areas. In his view, plowing burns organic matter, and microbial life is also harmed in the exposed, heating sandy soil. In contrast, under the no-till system, the soil is continuously covered, living roots are constantly present, and soil life can be restored by increasing biodiversity. According to the farmer, this can set in motion a trend toward improvement rather than deterioration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations, supportive comments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The exceptionally high view count and supportive feedback on our recent video with Zolt\u00e1n Szab\u00f3 show that more and more people are embracing the principles of regenerative agriculture. Many people are looking for practical examples that demonstrate the potential of regenerative farming not just in theory, but on actual working farms. Be sure to check out our video featuring Zolt\u00e1n Szab\u00f3:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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