Regeneration Meets Tradition: Castor River x Maker’s Mark

Some things just go together. Carefully grown food, thoughtfully made whiskey, and the kind of stewardship that lasts for generations.

Our very own Johnny Hunter had the opportunity to speak at Maker’s Mark headquarters in Loretto, Kentucky, as part of a gathering focused on regenerative agriculture and land stewardship. The event—presented by Regenified—brought together farmers, distillers, and leaders from across the food world to talk about what it really means to care for the land.

Johnny shared what regenerative agriculture looks like in practice—from no-till farming and cover cropping to cutting water usage and rebuilding wildlife habitats. But more than that, he spoke about the mindset behind it. About farming as a legacy. About doing right by the land so there’s something worth passing down.

For Maker’s Mark, whose own commitment to sustainable bourbon production is rooted in generations of craft, it’s more than just a cause. It’s a culture. And for us at Castor River, it was a privilege to be part of that conversation alongside other regenerative leaders working to reshape the way we grow, make, and share the things that feed us.

We’re proud to be Regenified Tier 3 certified, and proud to partner with those who hold the same line when it comes to transparency, soil health, and doing things the right way even when it’s harder.

Big thanks to Maker’s Mark for the hospitality, to Regenified for bringing this community together, and to everyone in the room who’s pushing for a future where food and farming leave the land better than they found it.

This is what regeneration looks like—on the farm, in the glass, and across the table.