Regenerative Agriculture

Sheila and I were visiting our son Jacob recently at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne Indiana. After chapel service, many of the students and professors meet for coffee. While visiting, one of Jacob’s friends brought up the term “Regenerative Agriculture”. I asked him where he had heard that term. He replied that his wife was researching the best way to feed their family and she has been searching out local producers practicing “Regenerative Ag.” This young mother is on a mission, refer to this past post Moms On A Mission.

When we started on our path of grazing cattle in a manner that mimics nature, the term “Regenerative Ag” had not been widely promoted. We were following in the footsteps of those practicing Holistic Management and the local Sustainable Ag movement. The leaders in these movements realized that virtually all agricultural lands across the USA are degraded. To “sustain” land in a “degraded” state is not our goal. What we were promoting and implementing on the ground better fit under the definition of “regenerative” rather than “sustainable”. We are improving degraded lands (not just sustaining) while at the same time meeting current food needs. For another take on this topic, we encourage you to read “Why Regenerative Agriculture” from our friends at Understanding Ag.

Regenerative or Reformation?

We are ok with the term “regenerative” and are happy to be part of the overall “regenerative ag movement”. For a deeper dive into regenerative ag, check out some of these websites and follow the bunny trail to numerous others: [KISS THE GROUND] [Farmers Footprint] [Understanding Ag] [Regenerative Organic Alliance] [Noble Research Institute] [NCAT Soil For Water] [Regeneration International] [Soil Carbon Initiative] [Quivira Coalition] [Holistic Management International] [Center For Regenerative Ag – Chico]

The term “regenerative” is much better than “sustainable”. We agree that new “soil” can grow (regenerate) from a previously eroded scar in the earth just like new skin can grow from a scar on your arm. So maybe the term “regenerative” is the best fit for what is being promoted.

Why not “Reformation Ag”? We need to take action to reform the institution of agriculture as currently being practiced. Many of the organizations promoting “Regenerative Ag” are calling for change. Problems or impacts of industrial agriculture include:

• Unemployment
• Crime
• Depression
• Diminished civic participation
• Reduction in trust among rural people
• Ecological simplification (monocultures, loss of diversity)
• Nutritional loss (crops bred for yield)
• Dependence on chemical inputs
• A disconnect between those growing our food and those consuming it
• Loss of rural communities (infrastructure, institutions, relationships)
  • (Bullet point summary from “Grain By Grain” by Bob Quinn and Liz Carlisle)

What can you do?

To take part in Reformation/Regenerative Ag, here are a couple of ideas:

• Learn more about Regenerative Ag using the links above
• Improve your piece of land (size does not matter) utilizing Soil Health Principles
• Support a local farm by purchasing directly from the farmer
  • Participate in Farmer Markets, CSAs, or Food Coops
• As the 2023 US Farm Bill is debated, let your congressperson know you support Regenerative Ag

Let’s fast-track the Regenerative Ag movement through a 21st Century Reformation Ag Movement.