Hint: it’s the future of sustainable farming

by Olivia Clark

Over the last few years, sustainability has skyrocketed as everyone’s favorite buzzword. From big names in fashion to coffee shops abandoning plastic straws, being “sustainable” has become subject to greenwashing. But amidst all this ”green” jargon, you may have heard the term “regenerative agriculture.” It sounds promising, but what exactly does it mean? How is it related to the sustainability movement, and how is it different? Regenerative agriculture is quickly gaining attention in the mainstream, so here’s what you need to know.

So, what is it? Regeneration International, a non-profit at the forefront of the movement, defines regenerative agriculture as “farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle.” Basically, regenerative agriculture takes a holistic approach to combating the issues brought on by unsavory farming practices, by not only maintaining the existing resources but improving them. It focuses equally on all parts involved with food production, valuing the whole food chain. From soil and animals to farmers and consumers, regenerative agriculture aims to connect everything together to improve the system. 

The term was coined in the 1980s by Robert Rodale of the Rodale Institute, a non-profit dedicated to organic farming practices. Even over thirty years ago in 1989, Rodale was addressing the difference between “sustainable” and “regenerative.” In an interview with the USDA, Rodale broke down the two terms:

“The word ‘sustainability’ was first used by Abraham Lincoln in 1859 in the context of agriculture when he warned… that big farms based on machines could not sustain themselves. Lady Balfour in England, in about 1978, started using the term ‘sustainable agriculture’ to make organic farming sound better, but that began to be picked up. In the late 70s/early 80s, farmers and scientists began really working towards lower input. I prefer the idea of regenerative agriculture. I’m not satisfied with the term ‘sustainability’. It’s very appealing to policy makers and scientists because they think it’s simple. But I don't think the average person aspires to live in a sustained environment; they want to live in something that’s expanding and going better. So I think the idea of regeneration is more appealing. It’s also much more fruitful and it points the way to opportunities. Basically what we have today is two separate, rather distinct kinds of farming… It’s very poorly misunderstood, even by scientists.” 

Fast forward 31 years and, while there is still some confusion about these terms, regenerative agriculture gained immense traction amongst farmers and consumers alike. One of the reasons for this is due to regenerative agriculture’s ability to sequester carbon emissions, thus aiding in the reduction of the overall impact of farming practices and other human activities that are destroying our atmosphere. Many scientists also believe that there are less than 60 years of healthy topsoil left, so regenerative agriculture is becoming one of the last hopes of combating climate change.

In 2018, the Rodale Institute started issuing Regenerative Organic Certifications. Obtaining an ROC is based on three categories: soil health, animal welfare and social fairness. This prohibits genetic modification, reduces factory farming and promises living wages to farmers. Elizabeth Whitlow, the Executor Director of the Regenerative Organic Alliance, believes that regenerative agriculture is imperative to the future of agriculture because it’s easily accessible. “It’s not that costly; it doesn't require a huge investment,” she explained in an interview with Kamea Chayne. “What it does require is research and education.”

Whitlow also explains that consumers have the power to support the efforts of the ROA and regenerative agriculture in general. Popular food companies like Nature’s Path and Numi Tea are partnered with the ROA to bring regenerative agriculture to the masses. But this revolutionary farming practice doesn’t just revolve around food. Fashion companies like Christy Dawn and Allbirds are newly committed to ethically sourcing their materials, like cotton and wool, through regenerative agriculture in hopes of reducing their impact on the planet while enriching the environment and the farmers around the world. We can only hope that their strides towards ethical farming catch on on an even larger scale. 

Regenerative agriculture is the direction that all industries need to take in order to build symbiotic relationships with businesses, farmers and the planet. It could be the key to saving our dying planet.