The Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture
There has been a lot of buzz recently about a ‘new’ way to farm. It’s called ‘Regenerative Agriculture’. Science has yet to come up with a precise definition that outlines the practices that a person ‘must’ follow to call their agricultural processes ‘regenerative’. Until that happens, farmers who attempt to restore their soil’s organic matter and biodiversity increasing carbon draw down from the atmosphere can use this term. As the soil improves so does soil fertility, the local water cycle, healthier crops, and improved yields. Some farmers believe in the no-till practice while others say there are minimum tillage techniques that will still qualify under the regenerative agriculture umbrella. Common practices include the use of cover crops, compost, and compost extracts to restore soil microbial activity, crop rotations, managed grazing, and the application of animal manure.
The best practice of Regenerative Agriculture creates new topsoil where the last century’s farming practices has destroyed it. Without some type of intervention, the United Nations reports that we only have 60 harvests remaining if we continue current commercial farming practices. Finding ways to reduce emissions will not solve the problem of climate change, however, the carbon draw down practice of regenerative agriculture is a step in the right direction. Many companies are jumping in to support regenerative agriculture farms as another way to produce organic ingredients for their products. The general public is beginning to recognize the importance of eating organic fruits and vegetables along with food products that are made with certified organic ingredients.
Regenerative Agriculture brings many benefits to the soil by improving the water cycle, reducing toxic pesticide and synthetic chemical usage, carbon sequestering, providing climate resilience, growing healthier fruits and vegetables, and improving the ways rural families support themselves and generations to come. This practice of farming in harmony with nature asks the farmers and ranchers to look at their land from a holistic perspective acknowledging the connection that the soil microbial life, crops, animals, pollinators, the land, pests, water bodies, and people all share. Limited soil disturbances from mechanical tilling preserves the biological structures that fungi, soil microbes, and bacteria that live underground and utilize agronomic practices that feed a very diverse underground community.
As regenerative agriculture practices spread through communities the connection between soil health and human health spreads too. Setting up community outreach efforts by hosting festivals, cooking classes – presented by regenerative growers and featuring what they are growing – along with local farm tour days provides an opportunity for families, teachers, students, and community leaders to identify positive steps each can take to support better health in their hometowns.
References
Schreefel, L., Schulte, R. P. O., De Boer, I. J. M., Schrijver, A. P., & Van Zanten, H. H. E. (2020). Regenerative agriculture–the soil is the base. Global Food Security, 26, 100404. Elsevier Journal Science Direct.
Sharma, A., Bryant, L., Lee, E., and O’Connor, C. (2020). Regenerative Agriculture Part 1: The Philosophy. Retrieved from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) website at https://www.nrdc.org/experts/arohi-sharma/regenerative-agriculture-part-1-philosophy
Sharma, A., Bryant, L., Lee, E., and O’Connor, C. (2020). Regenerative Agriculture Part 2: The Principles. Retrieved from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) website at https://www.nrdc.org/experts/arohi-sharma/regenerative-agriculture-part-2-principles
Sharma, A., Bryant, L., Lee, E., and O’Connor, C. (2020). Regenerative Agriculture Part 3: The Practices. Retrieved from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) website at https://www.nrdc.org/experts/arohi-sharma/regenerative-agriculture-part-3-practices
Sharma, A., Bryant, L., Lee, E., and O’Connor, C. (2020). Regenerative Agriculture Part 4 : The Practices. Retrieved from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) website at https://www.nrdc.org/experts/arohi-sharma/regenerative-agriculture-part-4-benefits
What is Regenerative Agriculture? (2022). Retrieved from the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems at https://www.csuchico.edu/regenerativeagriculture/ra101-section/ra101-definitions.shtml
