Regenerative Agriculture 101: Everything You Need to Know
Quick Key Facts
- In regenerative agriculture, the physical, biological and chemical integrity of the soil is preserved through minimal disturbance.
- Indigenous cultures maintain and have maintained a regenerative relationship with their natural environments, including the soil, for thousands of years.
- Regenerative farming helps build healthy soil and increases plant diversity.
- Through regenerative agricultural practices like using cover crops and no-till farming, nutrient-dense, chemical-free foods are produced.
- Healthy soils maintained through regenerative farming trap water and nutrients and maximize the efficiency of water use.
- Regenerative agriculture improves water quality and helps to restore and protect rivers, lakes and streams.
- In the 1980s, Pennsylvania’s Rodale Institute began using the term “regenerative agriculture”; its founder, Bob Rodale, wanted to not only incorporate sustainability into farming, but regeneration.
- Regenerative soil practices can reverse climate change by restoring the degraded biodiversity of soils and rebuilding organic matter, resulting in increased carbon sequestration and a healthier water cycle.