Regenerative agriculture has become the latest trend in discussions about producing healthy food. Over time, the focus has shifted from “organic agriculture” to “sustainable agriculture,” and now to “regenerative agriculture.”
“Sustainable” farming aims to maintain the land’s productivity, ensuring that soil quality is preserved for future generations. However, modern farming practices, such as repeatedly planting the same crops, have led to significant soil depletion. As a result, today’s crops lack the nutrient density they had decades ago. It’s not just about sustaining soil health anymore; we need to revitalize and restore its nutrients. This is where regenerative agriculture plays a crucial role.
What Is Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative agriculture takes farming a step beyond organic practices, emphasizing not only the growth of food but also the enhancement of soil health. This approach aims to draw carbon from the atmosphere and store it back into the earth, enriching the soil to support crop nutrition. The principles of regenerative agriculture can also be applied to raising animals for grass-fed meats.
From an ecological standpoint, regenerative agriculture leverages natural soil and ecosystem processes to our advantage. It removes carbon from areas where it contributes to environmental harm, such as climate change, and redirects it into nourishing whole foods, including plants and meats.
In contrast, conventional agriculture often relies on monocropping, where the same crops—like wheat, corn, soybeans, beets, or alfalfa—are planted repeatedly. Even with crop rotation between soybeans and corn, soil nutrients are still depleted without replenishment. This type of farming heavily depends on pesticides and chemicals, similar to how conventional graveyards operate.
Monoculture plants extract the same limited range of nutrients from the soil each growing season, leading to nutrient depletion. Regenerative agriculture, however, focuses on restoring soil health to ensure it is capable of nourishing the next crop.
Principles of Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative farming systems are guided by a set of principles that aim to rebuild and rejuvenate the soil:
1. Reduce Soil Disturbance
Minimizing or eliminating tillage is key to preserving soil health. While tilling has been a common practice for generations, it disrupts vital soil microbes like nematodes and fungi, which are essential for maintaining soil structure. Tilling also releases stored carbon from the soil into the atmosphere. Aeration, when done correctly, can improve soil health without turning it over. Tools like a broad fork can be used to aerate soil effectively.
2. Cover the Soil
Soil should always be protected by vegetation to shield it from harsh elements like sun, rain, wind, and frost. Keeping the soil covered with plants retains moisture and nutrients for future planting. Techniques such as mulching and planting cover crops between food crops help maintain this protective layer.
3. Maintain Live Roots in the Soil Year-Round
Instead of clearing all roots from the ground before winter, regenerative agriculture encourages leaving some roots in place. These roots feed soil microbes and help prevent erosion. The symbiotic relationship between plants and microbes is vital—plants supply nutrients to microbes, which in turn nourish the plants. Removing roots reduces the nutrient content available for the next crop.
4. Practice Crop Diversity
Monoculture not only depletes the soil but can also lead to erosion. By diversifying crops, soil health can be improved and maintained. Crop rotation, companion planting, and the use of cover crops to replenish topsoil are all practices that promote biodiversity and support pollinators like bees.
5. Integrate Livestock
Incorporating animals into farming practices mirrors natural ecosystems, where plants and animals coexist in a balanced relationship. Grazing animals help aerate the soil, distribute seeds, and fertilize the land. Their activities also aid in incorporating carbon dioxide into the soil. Rotational grazing ensures that livestock always have fresh pastures, allowing the grazed land time to recover.
6. Agroforestry
Natural ecosystems include trees and shrubs alongside other plants and animals. Agroforestry seeks to replicate this balance in agricultural spaces by planting or preserving trees. This practice supports food security and contributes to healthy soil.
How Does Regenerative Agriculture Enhance Our Health?
Regenerative agriculture offers several health benefits by improving the way our food is grown and the environment we live in.
Boosts Nutrient Content in Food
Food produced through regenerative agriculture is significantly richer in nutrients compared to food grown in depleted soil. Over the past 80 years, the mineral content in soil has drastically decreased, impacting the nutritional value of the crops. For instance, in 1914, an apple contained 13.5 mg of calcium, but by 1992, this had dropped to just 7 mg—nearly a 50% reduction. Similarly, the iron content in an apple fell from 4.6 mg in 1914 to just 0.18 mg in 1992, a decrease of over 96%.
This decline isn’t limited to apples; many other foods have experienced similar nutrient loss. This widespread nutrient deficiency has contributed to the growing reliance on supplements to maintain health.
Lowers Toxic Exposure in Food
Regenerative farming practices, such as minimizing tillage and incorporating grazing livestock, naturally reduce the presence of weeds and pests. This, in turn, decreases or eliminates the need for herbicides and pesticides. For example, allowing chickens to roam freely in gardens to eat slugs and pests can significantly reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides. Additionally, using natural manure and compost replaces the need for toxic chemical fertilizers.
These practices lead to more organic food production, which is crucial for maintaining health. Consuming foods burdened with toxic chemicals can strain the liver and increase the risk of chronic diseases.
Creates a Healthier Living Environment
Reducing the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides also results in a healthier environment. The chemicals commonly used in conventional farming are often neurotoxins and carcinogens. Moreover, the runoff from pesticides and fertilizers contributes to environmental pollution.
These harmful chemicals can end up in our lakes, streams, and even in the water we drink or use daily. They can also contaminate the air we breathe and the dust in our homes. By adopting regenerative agriculture, we help ensure that our water supply and air remain free from chemical pollutants, contributing to a healthier living environment for everyone.
How Does Regenerative Agriculture Benefit the Planet?
Supporting regenerative practices offers several significant environmental benefits:
Reduces Deforestation by Boosting Yields
Regenerative agriculture enhances crop yields, making farmland more productive. By maximizing the efficiency of the land we currently farm, there is less need to clear additional forests for agricultural use. This not only preserves vital natural resources but also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Contributes to Climate Change Mitigation
A study by Quantis suggests that converting just 20-25% of agricultural land to regenerative methods could significantly impact reversing climate change. Moving away from industrial agriculture, which relies on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, is key to this shift.
Traditional farming practices, like tilling and deforestation, release large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. In contrast, healthy plants in a regenerative system capture and store carbon in the soil, helping to mitigate climate change through this natural process.
Promotes a Cleaner Environment
Conventional farming heavily relies on toxic materials and synthetic chemicals, which often contaminate waterways and watersheds, creating environmental issues like dead zones, such as those in the Gulf of Mexico. These chemicals can also infiltrate our food supply, leading to health problems and a reliance on pharmaceuticals that further impact water quality.
Regenerative agriculture, on the other hand, focuses on revitalizing the soil and restoring ecological balance, leading to a cleaner and healthier planet.
Supports Thriving Wildlife
The core principle of regenerative agriculture is to improve the land while producing food. Instead of merely extracting resources, this approach enhances soil health, fosters biodiversity, and creates habitats that support wildlife. This synergy leads to the production of pure, nutritious food that benefits everyone.
Additionally, after harvesting, allowing wildlife to graze on the fields can be beneficial. These animals help clean up the fields and provide natural fertilizer. Grazing animals, in combination with cover crops, are particularly effective in fixing nitrogen in the soil and supporting natural nutrient cycling.
How to Implement Regenerative Principles at Home
Regenerative agriculture benefits both you and the environment. Although it’s not yet widespread, you can begin adopting these practices right in your own space. Here are some ways to apply regenerative principles at home:
Avoid tilling the soil! Instead, focus on aeration and let the soil remain undisturbed. The healthiest soil is well-hydrated, aerated, and rich in worms and microbes. While low-till methods are becoming more common, no-till farming is even more beneficial.
Keep your soil covered. Utilize mulch options such as compost, dried leaves, straw, or hay, and consider using cardboard or cover crops. Ensure that mulches are free from herbicides, as these chemicals can persist in the soil for up to three years. “Living mulches,” like clover planted under tomatoes, can also enhance soil fertility—just remember to trim them as needed!
Retain plant roots in the garden throughout the winter. You might also plant cover crops such as daikon radishes, borage, or comfrey. These plants develop deep roots that replenish soil minerals and can be left in place over the winter.
Rotate your vegetable planting locations. Change the placement of different vegetable families, such as rotating nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants) with umbels (carrots, parsnips, fennel), and then legumes (green beans, peas). This practice helps prevent pest issues, for instance, those targeting tomatoes.
Allow chickens to roam in the garden. They will consume grubs, help aerate the soil, and fertilize your plants as they go.
Additionally, you can contribute to the broader regenerative agriculture movement.
How to Support Regenerative Agriculture (and Ranching)
Purchase from Regenerative Farmers and Ranchers
You can make a difference by choosing to buy from farmers and ranchers who practice regenerative methods. Look for regenerative products at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. Companies like Kettle and Fire Bone Broth are paving the way with regenerative ranching, offering options like Regenerative Beef Bone Broth and Regenerative Chicken Bone Broth.
Invest in Regenerative Agriculture as a Steward
Another way to support regenerative agriculture is by becoming a steward through organizations like Go Steward. Their platform allows you to lend money to small regenerative farms in places like Texas or Wyoming. Your investment helps these farms transition to regenerative practices, and in return, you receive a 6-8% return on your loan while contributing to the regenerative movement—a win for you, the farmers, and the environment.
Choose “Regenerative Organic” Certified Foods
Did you know there is now a certification for regenerative organic foods? The non-profit Regenerative Organic Alliance, founded in 2017 by a group of farmers, scientists, business leaders, and advocates, introduced the “Regenerative Organic Certified” label. Their goal is to heal the planet by promoting regenerative organic agriculture. While this certification is still in its early stages, you’ll soon see RO certified food, textiles, and personal care products on store shelves. Until then, continue supporting local farmers and ranchers, and practice regenerative principles in your home garden.
Spread Awareness
Creating change also involves educating others. Talk about the environmental and nutritional benefits of pastured meat and regenerative agriculture. Every conversation can help shift perspectives and inspire others to support regenerative practices.
Take the time to become informed and engage in friendly discussions with your friends and family. Many people are simply trying to make better choices for themselves and the planet, and your insights could guide them in the right direction.
The Final Take on Regenerative Agriculture
The key reason to back regenerative agriculture is to ensure a clean, healthy planet for future generations. Begin on a small scale—start with your family and the choices you make at your dinner table. Remember, small actions accumulate over time, making a significant impact!