You may have heard this term being used a lot recently in the media. Regenerative agriculture is an exciting movement making waves across the world as we speak.
But what actually is regenerative agriculture?
There is no set definition for regenerative agriculture (1). However in principle, regenerative agriculture is a way of farming that has a positive impact on the environment and society. Nutritious food is produced while soil, ecosystem, and community health is built.
There are some key ‘outcomes’ that regenerative agriculture aims for. This movement seeks to improve soil health and biodiversity, which in turn leads to improved ecosystems and water quality. Regenerative agriculture aims to reduce CO2 emissions and actually sequester carbon back into the soil. It tackles the two biggest risks to humanity and the ecosphere we are faced with today; biodiversity loss and climate change. Another main outcome of regenerative agriculture is to improve the resilience of communities. To improve the food and seed sovereignty of all members of society, from farmers to consumers (2).
Image description: Regenerative Agriculture Educator Greta Caroll holds a lesson on seed sovereignty and security.
It is the social aspect of regenerative agriculture that makes it especially powerful. The movement focuses on bringing food and seed sovereignty to communities, the ultimate goal being access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food for all. It focuses on giving security to farmers and consumers alike, reducing their reliance on huge corporations for their food, seeds and subsidies.
Image description: Farm workers at Aranya Agricultural Alternatives in India. Their farms focus on ecological farming and education.
In order to achieve these outcomes, regenerative agriculture outlines key agricultural processes or principles that can be used to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, sequester carbon and create resilient communities. Some examples of processes used in regenerative agriculture are (3):
The use of no-till or minimal soil disturbance agriculture.
Using cover crops and crop rotation.
Integrated animal systems (rotational grazing of cattle, collection of manure), and the ethical treatment of animals in the systems.
Making compost and compost tea.
Using perennial crops and silvopasture.
Ecological Aquaculture.
Seed saving.
Image description: The regenerative market garden at Conscious Ground Organics. A minimal-till system using a diverse mix of cover crops, beneficial plants, annuals and perennials. Conscious Ground is education focused, adding to it's regenerative nature.
A ‘Regenerative Organic Certification’ has been designed, giving farmers the opportunity to go ‘beyond organic’. This certification rewards farmers that practice regenerative agriculture, and allows consumers to make informed decisions about the food they are eating. Regenerative Organic certification is currently being trialed at selected pilot farms in the UK (4), and is an exciting step towards regenerative agriculture becoming viable and widely practiced.
Imagining a future where regenerative agriculture is widely practiced is becoming closer to reality. Farms globally are implementing regenerative practices, from large scale grain operations in the US, to small scale agroforestry projects in the UK. Regenerative agriculture represents opportunity and hope in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and mass displacement of humans.
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