Re·gen·er·ate: restored to a better, higher, or more worthy state; to become formed again³

There isn't one unanimously agreed-upon definition of "regenerative agriculture,"⁴ yet these simple dictionary definitions succinctly describe the outcomes of regenerative land management: It restores the resources it uses, beginning in the soil and encompassing the whole farm ecosystem, with ripple effects expanding to farmers' economic outlook, the health of communities, the nutrient content of food, climate resilience, and the planet’s future.^{5 6 7} And it isn't a new concept—the roots of regenerative agriculture are found in the wisdom and practices indigenous cultures have been employing in harmony with nature’s cycles for thousands of years.^{8 9 10}

Meanwhile, the status quo of modern farming is degenerative, and its consequences are accelerating.^{11 12} American farms are losing topsoil at an annual rate of four tons per acre on average, and some forecasts predict that globally, topsoil will deplete in 60 years if the pace doesn’t change.^{13 14} In addition to air and water pollution, habitat loss, and other damages, industrial agriculture also contributes up to 25 percent of climate-warming emissions.¹⁵

Unfortunately, as the term “regenerative” has gained momentum, many of the same companies fueling the destructive state of modern farming are now trying to shield their harmful practices behind an illusion of restorative sustainability. To do so, they’re co-opting a handful of its processes into the industrialized agriculture machine, where other inputs continue degrading soil and biodiversity, inherently negating regenerative outcomes.¹⁶ Bayer, the purveyor of many genetically modified crops and its signature herbicide, Roundup, is enrolling farmers in just such a program and profiting from the carbon credits it enables them to claim.¹⁷ Thus, defining regenerative agriculture by outcomes rather than processes is crucial because this is where its evidence-based promises are realized.

Regenerative agriculture nurtures the interconnected web of relationships between soil microbes, plants, animals, and all vital components of an ecosystem while producing food and fiber.^{18 19 20 21} So, perhaps a better way to define it is by bringing awareness to the inherently anti-regenerative practices that, even when combined with beneficial processes, cannot coexist with truly regenerative outcomes. To that end, consider these core components of regenerative agriculture and their anti-regenerative counterparts:

• Regenerative: Minimizing disturbance (like tillage) and armoring the soil (never leaving it bare) to increase soil organic matter and, consequently, soil carbon sequestration at deeper levels.^{22 23}
• Anti-regenerative: Co-opting some of these practices into synthetic pesticide and fertilizer-dependent, intensively farmed mono-crop systems that continue to degrade soil.²⁴
• Regenerative: Cultivating biodiversity below and above ground.^{25 26}
• Anti-regenerative: Employing the use of hormones, antibiotics, synthetic pesticides, and fertilizers, inputs that by design destroy biodiversity.²⁷
• Regenerative: Integrating well-managed grazing practices to stimulate plant growth and increase soil carbon deposits, biodiversity, and land productivity.^{28 29}
• Anti-regenerative: Raising animals in landless confinement, removed from the natural harmony they bring to farm ecosystems.^{30 31 32}

We can take a stand against the dilution of the true meaning of “regenerative agriculture” by holding those that use its name accountable for the outcomes. And we can support it in our everyday lives, from caring for the soil in our neighborhoods to reconnecting with how our food is produced. We hope you join us in continuing this series, where we will explore the evidence-based outcomes regenerative agriculture delivers to soil, water, biodiversity, and more. Until then—if every bite counts, what will you do differently?

References

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2. “Guide to Regenerative Agriculture.” Kiss the Ground, 28 June 2023, kisstheground.com/regenerative-agriculture/.
3. “Regenerate Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regenerate. Accessed 9 Nov. 2023.
4. “Guide to Regenerative Agriculture.” Kiss the Ground, 28 June 2023, kisstheground.com/regenerative-agriculture/.
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29. “Guide to Regenerative Agriculture.” Kiss the Ground, 28 June 2023, kisstheground.com/regenerative-agriculture/.
30. “Guide to Regenerative Agriculture.” Kiss the Ground, 28 June 2023, kisstheground.com/regenerative-agriculture/.
31. Held, Lisa. “Walmart’s ‘Regenerative Foodscape.’” Civil Eats, 6 Nov. 2023, civileats.com/2023/11/01/walmarts-regenerative-foodscape/.
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