Organic + Regenerative
A naturally better approach to farming
Organic, meet your successor
Regenerative farming is a successor to sustainable agriculture based on pre-industrial farming techniques. These methods work in harmony with nature, rather than against it. Regenerative farmers go above and beyond to respect the earth and how it already works: they use natural techniques to regenerate and revitalize the soil, sequester carbon within it, and restore biodiversity. Why? Because they view farms holistically, as living ecosystems that are self-sustaining and capable of amazing things – if we care for them naturally.
Several of these regenerative practices have been around for centuries, but many farms today are not using them. Why?
The way we grow food matters
Regenerative farmers have a hope grounded in reality.
Their hope is for a better future. But the reality is that today’s world grows food in a manner harmful to the world itself.
Industrial agriculture uses monocultures, genetically modified food, and synthetic pesticides and fertilizers to increase yield and profit. It does so at the expense of our planet.
Organic farming is a step in a better direction. It removes synthetic chemicals from the equation, limits the routine use of drugs and antibiotics, and prohibits genetic engineering (GMOs). But many conventional farming techniques are still used in organic farming, and these can result in soil erosion, decreased biodiversity, monocultures, increased carbon output, and excessive waste.
Regenerative farming strives to go beyond organic farming. It’s an approach to land management that promotes ecological balance. How? By minimizing external inputs, protecting resources, and restoring a farm’s natural ecosystem. The real goal surpasses sustainability: nature becomes a true partner.
Regenerative is not new. It's rediscovering what was.
Regenerative farmers are cultivating a future inspired by the past. It is not a “new” practice but the recognition of older, pre-industrial farming techniques. It takes the ideas of permaculture, agroecology, agroforestry, and holistic management, and builds on them. What is new is the popularity of “regenerative” as a term: it was coined introduced in the 1980’s, and now enjoys buzzword status. But the principles that guide it have been around for millennia. Regenerative sees all living organisms as participants in a larger ecosystem, in which we are interconnected and equally vital to the success of that system. An increasing number of farmers are starting to appreciate the wisdom behind this holistic approach.
Four principles to protect the planet
Every regenerative farm is inherently organic. But organic often gets defined as things we shouldn’t do. In contrast, regenerative is a list of things we should do.
Their hope is for a better future. But the reality is that today’s world grows food in a manner harmful to the world itself.
Industrial agriculture uses monocultures, genetically modified food, and synthetic pesticides and fertilizers to increase yield and profit. It does so at the expense of our planet.
Although methods vary from farmer to farmer, the main hallmarks of regenerative farming are consistent:
- soil health restoration and optimization
- carbon sequestration
- water and resource conservation and management
- biodiversity protection for the health and resilience of plants, animals, and people
Great farms begin from the ground up
Soil is alive! In fact, one gram of soil can contain up to 10 billion microorganisms, comprised of thousands of different species. Because soil is the literal foundation for our food system, regenerative farming prioritizes the health and vitality of the soil. Because of that, synthetic fertilizers or pesticides are never used.
Basic methods that restore soil health can include the following:
| Cover Cropping: | Cover crops used during fallow periods protect and nourish the soil by contributing organic matter |
| Crop Rotation: | Crop rotation helps break pest and disease cycles and reduces the reliance on chemical inputs |
| No or Low Till: | Reduced tillage minimizes soil disturbance to preserve the natural structure of microbial habitats |
| Composting: | Organic amendments, such as manure and compost, contribute to microbial diversity and activity as well as nutrient availability |
Planet + People
When we care for the earth, it cares for us.
When the land suffers, so do the people who tend it. Regenerative agriculture benefits workers, not just food consumers. These farms create a healthier working environment by eliminating chemical exposure, enhancing soil and air quality, and valuing the welfare and rights of farm workers. This includes providing a safe and non-toxic working environment, fair wages, and access to training and education.
