What is regenerative farming?

Regenerative farming seeks to increase soil health and resiliency in measurable ways, looking to natural systems for insight.

There is a spectrum of theories for how to appropriately achieve the results Regenerative Farming strives for. At one end there are proponents who encourage specific cultural practices that will build and bring health and biology into their systems. (Proponents would be Gabe Brown, Ray Archuleta, Allen Savory and many others.) This end advocates for limited imputs and relies almost solely on aggressive use of certain cultural practices (outlined below).

At the other end, proponents seek to build up soil biology through specific inputs that inoculate soil and feed soil life. While this end of the continuum also believes in the importance of following the “5 Principles of Regenerative Farming” they would allow more room for certain exceptions depending on local context and circumstances. Proponents in this direction would include John Kempf, Nicole Masters, and Dr Elaine Ingham among others.

The end goal for all advocates of Regenerative Farming is to create healthy, biologically active, resilient soils and systems that will nurture both natural and human life. It invites farmers to journey towards that outcome by specifically focusing on building and feeding the soil life.

The “6 Principles of Regenerative Farming”

In general, regenerative agriculture advocates the following:

1. Reduce soil disturbance. Whether that be aggressive tillage or chemical disturbance.

2. Keeping residue (armor) on the soil surface whenever possible.

3. Increased diversity. Using cover crops and crop rotation to establish diversity in the ecosystem.

4. Living roots growing as much of the year as possible.

5. Integrating grazing livestock if possible (particularly ruminants).

6. Adapt the practices to the local context.

In addition to these practices, farmers seeking to build and manage soil life have used things such as Vermicomposting, Korean Natural Farming, Johnson-Su Bioreactors, Sap Analysis and managed micronutrients, as proven ways to encourage and add living organisms to their soil.

The effects of regenerative farming and increased soil health are many. They include increased water infiltration (less runoff and erosion, and greater drought tolerance), increased soil organic matter and nutrient cycling (less reliance on commercial fertilizer), increased plant access to nutrients locked up in the soil matrix and air (less inputs needed), plants with healthier immune systems (reduced need for fungicides and pesticides), and plants that are more nutrient dense with a diverse array of natural phenols and complex compounds (more nutritious for people and animals).

The goal is to build healthier soils that lead to healthier people and healthier communities.

What is Organic Farming?

Organic Farming seeks to reduce the amount of chemical residue found in our food and ecosystems. It does this through raising crops and livestock without the use of synthetic chemicals or products. Organic crops are raised without synthetic fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides. All organic crops are non-GMO. Organic livestock are raised without the addition of antibiotics or hormones, must be fed certified organic feed, and have access to a certain amount of pasture or outdoor space.

Despite the many restrictions, organic farms can use the latest technology in traditional seed breeding, precision ag technology, and weed management tools such as roller crimping or zapping weeds with electricity or laser lights.

The USDA and National Organic Program (NOP) manages the allowed and prohibited Certified Organic practices.

Both Organic and Regenerative Farming seek to build healthier a healthier future. Both seek to build healthier soils and healthier communities.