IFOAM North America and Natural Grocers are hosting a series of conversations on regenerative agriculture topics to work towards an industry consensus for minimum regenerative standards. The primary focus is to ensure that grocery shoppers can confidently choose products bearing a regenerative claim without being misled or confused. We seek to enable gatekeeper retailers to evaluate potentially substandard claims so only bona fide regenerative products are for sale on their shelves.

This first call will dig into the role of synthetic fertilizers and pesticide inputs. This panel discussion tackles the “pragmatic vs. purist” debate head-on, aiming to determine if a minimum threshold for synthetic use can coexist with fully realized regenerative principles. Our three panelists all have deep hands-on experience grappling with these issues.

By navigating the tension between soil biology and scalable production, we will work toward a consensus on the minimum baseline requirements needed to provide reliable clarity for producers, global supply chains, retailers, and the everyday shopper.