Grazing Into The Future With Sheep : An exploratory case study on understanding the role of animals in regenerative farming on Gotland

The purpose of our study is to gain a deeper understanding of regenerative farming and the integration of animals, using regenerative sheep farmers on Gotland as a case. By looking at the regenerative farm as a multispecies organization, we explore how regenerative farming is practiced and understood, what space animals have within these systems, and how the relationships between human and non-human animals are formed. Based on a qualitative exploratory case study including in-depth interviews and farm visits with observations of four regenerative sheep farmers on Gotland, the study offers new insights into the farm as a multispecies regenerative system, where the integration of animals is fundamental, not only in supporting ecological cycles, but as essential agents shaping the overall functionality and dynamics of the farm. Animals play multifunctional roles and actively contribute to the interdependent relationships that sustain the system. However, farmers face the tension of what we describe as relational obsolescence, as their caregiving bonds inevitably expire when the animals’ lives are no longer needed. With our study, we aim to contribute to a broader dialogue of the holistic regenerative farm system. We therefore propose a more relational definition of regenerative farming as a multispecies practice that advocates for a collaborative approach among all actors, grounded in care, interdependence, and co-creation.