Increasing nutrient density in food starts from the ground up
Jim Richards, CEO of Milkadamia, puts the treatment of soils in two opposite corners. With regenerative farming, soils are regarded as vibrant, self-regenerating entities. In the other corner, industrialized farming views soil as a dead medium solely supporting monoculture crops sustained by synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and chemical inputs.
It’s a stark contrast.
Many leaders in the regenerative farming environment say the solution to climate change is right under our feet, namely the soil.
The disruption of both the water and carbon cycles has resulted in severe consequences, including intensified occurrences of flooding and drought due to the impaired water cycle, and global warming as a consequence of the disrupted carbon cycle. Soil emerges as a critical solution for addressing both challenges through the implementation of regenerative farming practices, which facilitate the generation of new topsoil. This process enhances the land’s capacity to store water, enabling the creation of a “soil water battery” that prevents erosion and withstands extreme flooding events. Additionally, newly formed topsoil consists of approximately 60% elemental carbon, offering a pathway for mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon and promoting soil regeneration. These insights are shared by Thomas M Newmark, Chair of The Carbon Underground.
In 2015, the International Year of Soils, Maria Helena Semedo (deputy director at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization), commented that the world’s topsoil had become so degraded that it could only support another 60 harvests [Ethical Corporation Magazine, page 11, June 2019]. Regeneration International has emphasized that, considering the ongoing pace of soil degradation, the availability of suitable soil for sustaining necessary crop production to meet human food demands may be depleted within a span of fewer than 50 years (2019-2069).
According to Newmark, there is a concerning decline in the nutrient content of our food, with present-day produce delivering a mere 50% to 60% of the nutrient levels found in previous generations. To address this pressing nutrient crisis, the key lies in revitalizing the soil. By implementing regenerative practices that foster the regeneration of soil, we can cultivate an environment that is abundant in essential nutrients and teeming with beneficial microorganisms. This approach holds the potential to restore the nutritional value of our food and mitigate the negative consequences of nutrient depletion in our diets.
Regenerative organic agriculture systems go beyond conventional farming practices by prioritizing the health and vitality of the soil. These systems recognize that soil is not merely a medium for plants to grow in, but a living ecosystem with its own intricate web of organisms and processes. By implementing regenerative practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, composting, and reduced tillage, the soil is replenished and enriched with essential nutrients, organic matter, and beneficial microorganisms. Nourishing the soil in this way creates a favorable environment where plants can thrive. The soil becomes a dynamic reservoir of nutrients, water, and biological activity, providing the necessary sustenance for plant growth and development. As the plants take root in the nutrient-rich soil, they can absorb a wider range of essential minerals, trace elements, and organic compounds, resulting in healthier and more nutrient-dense crops. By recognizing the interconnectedness between soil, plants, and the broader ecosystem, regenerative organic agriculture systems establish a harmonious cycle of nourishment. As the soil is cared for and nourished, it reciprocates by providing the essential elements and support necessary for plant growth, ultimately leading to the production of nutrient-rich and environmentally sustainable food.
Dave Herring, Executive Director of Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture, and the Environment, emphasizes the urgent need to address the significant contribution of agricultural activities to greenhouse gas emissions, which currently account for up to 15% of total emissions. To mitigate this impact, it is crucial to adopt measures that both reduce emissions and actively capture carbon in the soil. Wide-scale implementation of regenerative farming practices offers a promising solution by effectively sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil. This process not only helps mitigate climate change but also establishes a robust foundation for a more sustainable and resilient food system.
Regenerative farming practices are instrumental in optimizing soil carbon sequestration by bolstering organic matter accumulation, curbing carbon losses, and fostering microbial activity. These strategies wield significant potential for agricultural systems to assume a pivotal role in climate change mitigation by effectively sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide within the soil.
By deploying these regenerative farming strategies, agricultural systems can effectively capture and retain atmospheric carbon dioxide, mitigating its release into the atmosphere. This soil-based carbon sequestration not only contributes to climate change mitigation efforts but also offers additional benefits such as improved soil fertility, water retention, and resilience to environmental stresses. As a result, regenerative farming practices stand as a powerful and scientifically sound approach to address climate change challenges while promoting sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
ABOV certifies and recognizes farms that use these regenerative methods.
To discover how your farm can be a positive force for change, check out the difference between conventional, organic, and regenerative farming on our Verification Standards page. To learn more about the science used to verify ABOV-certified farms, visit Our Verification Standards.
