Regenerative agriculture is a method to protect and improve food and farming systems. It helps soil recover, increases the variety of plants and animals, improves how water moves through the land, supports natural processes that benefit the environment, stores carbon in soil and plants, helps farms stay strong during climate changes, and improves the health of soil.

Regenerative agriculture is not one single method. It uses many different ways to farm sustainably. These include using as much farm waste as possible and adding compost made from other places. On small farms and gardens, regenerative practices often use methods like permaculture, agroecology, agroforestry, restoration ecology, keyline design, and holistic management. Large farms are also using regenerative techniques, especially methods that avoid turning over soil, such as "no-till" or "reduced till."

As soil becomes healthier, the need for things like fertilizers might go down. Crops might grow better because healthier soil handles bad weather better and has fewer harmful insects and germs.

Regenerative agriculture says it can help reduce climate change by taking carbon dioxide out of the air and storing it in the soil. More people, including farmers and groups, are using this method. However, some scientists have questioned these claims.

History

Regenerative agriculture uses many farming and nature-based methods, with a focus on keeping soil undisturbed and using compost. Similar ideas include using "sea minerals" and no-till methods, such as slash and mulch in tropical areas. Sheet mulching is a regenerative practice that stops weeds and adds nutrients to the soil below.

In the early 1980s, the Rodale Institute began using the term "regenerative agriculture." Rodale Publishing later created the Regenerative Agriculture Association, which published books on the topic in 1987 and 1988. However, the institute stopped using the term in the late 1980s. It was used again in 2005 and 2008, but not until 2014 did the institute release a white paper titled "Regenerative Organic Agriculture and Climate Change." The paper said that switching to organic farming methods could store more than 100% of yearly carbon dioxide emissions. It described practices like crop rotation, compost use, and less tilling, which are similar to organic farming.

In 2002, Storm Cunningham wrote a book called The Restoration Economy, where he introduced the idea of "restorative agriculture." He described it as a method to rebuild soil quality, restore local wildlife, and improve water systems. Restorative agriculture was one of eight areas in the book focused on restoring natural systems.

Regenerative agriculture has been studied in scientific fields like environmental science and ecology since the early 2010s. As the term became more common, many books were written about it, and organizations began promoting its methods. Allan Savory gave a TED talk in 2013 about fighting climate change and started The Savory Institute to teach ranchers about land management. Abe Collins created LandStream to track how regenerative farms affect ecosystems. Eric Toensmeier wrote a book on the topic in 2016. However, researchers at Wageningen University found that people often used the term without clear definitions and that many works focused on shaping what regenerative agriculture meant.

In 2011, the non-profit Mulloon Institute was created in Australia to help restore land by improving water retention. The institute worked with neighbors to build a water management project along Mulloon Creek. A study showed the results were positive but unpredictable, and the success of the project depended on the local ground conditions. In 2022, the institute studied water retention and found that such projects helped native plants grow.

In 2013, the non-profit Kiss the Ground began sharing the term "regenerative agriculture" with the public. The group now runs programs to educate people about soil health and help farmers switch to regenerative methods. A film titled Kiss the Ground was released in 2020, and a follow-up documentary, Common Ground, was shown in 2023.

Not all regenerative systems use ruminant animals. In 2017, Reginaldo Haslett Marroquin wrote a book about developing regenerative poultry farming systems inspired by his childhood in Guatemala. These methods are now used in the United States and other countries.

Large companies have also started using regenerative agriculture. In 2019, General Mills announced efforts to support regenerative practices in its supply chain. However, experts have raised concerns about whether these efforts are effective. For example, agronomist Ruth Beck said that "Environmental marketing may be moving faster than what farmers can achieve." Some argue that companies may use the term for marketing without fully practicing regenerative methods.

In 2021, the term gained more attention after Tom Vilsack, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, mentioned it during a Senate hearing. The Biden administration plans to use $30 billion from the USDA to encourage farmers to adopt sustainable practices. Vilsack said this could help create future farm policies that support soil health and regenerative agriculture. After this, many companies, including PepsiCo, Unilever, VF Corporation, and Nestlé, announced regenerative agriculture goals.

In 2022, a report sponsored by major agricultural companies said regenerative agriculture is already used on 15% of cropland. However, the report warned that the pace of change is too slow and needs to triple by 2030 to avoid dangerous climate effects. The report also highlighted the connection between human health and the health of the planet.

Principles

Researchers have studied regenerative agriculture to understand its key ideas. Scientists at Wageningen University reviewed many articles about regenerative agriculture and found 279 research papers. Their analysis showed that people use different principles to guide regenerative agriculture. The four most common principles are: 1) improving soil health, 2) managing resources efficiently, 3) helping reduce climate change, and 4) improving water quality and availability.

The Carbon Underground, an organization focused on environmental issues, created a list of principles supported by groups like Ben & Jerry's, Annie's, and the Rodale Institute. These principles include building healthy soil, increasing water movement and storage, promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health, and reducing carbon emissions and atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Terra Genesis International, a company that connects economics with environmental care, describes regenerative agriculture through four main ideas. First, farming practices should improve entire farming systems, especially biodiversity and soil and water quality. Second, each farm should make decisions that match its values and conditions. Third, all people involved in farming should have fair and equal roles. Finally, regenerative agriculture should continuously improve at the individual, farm, and community levels to achieve the best results.

Instead of focusing on technology in food production, Philip Loring, a human ecologist, suggests looking at food systems as a whole. He believes that flexibility and variety in food systems support regenerative practices. Loring explains that food systems can be grouped into four types based on diversity and flexibility:

1) Regenerative systems have high diversity and flexibility, like many Indigenous food systems, where ecosystems reuse energy to create new resources.

2) Degenerative systems have high diversity but low flexibility, such as when people rely on one resource until it is gone, like overfishing in certain areas.

3) Coerced systems have low diversity and low flexibility, where people support one resource at the cost of the environment, as seen in some fishing industries.

4) Impoverished systems have low diversity but high flexibility, where people want to choose sustainable options but face challenges like poor ecosystems or poverty that prevent regeneration.

Loring’s idea, called the Conservation of Change, is based on the idea that change always happens in ecosystems. This concept comes from the Second Law of Thermodynamics and a principle by Barry Commoner, which states that "there is no free lunch" in ecosystems.

Practices

Regenerative farming uses many different methods and systems, often at the same time.

Alternative food networks use various methods to reduce the physical, economic, and social gaps between farmers and consumers. People who support these networks include small farmers, who often struggle to compete with large supermarket chains and commercial farms; consumers, who can directly share their concerns about food production; and environmental activists, who oppose farms that grow only one type of crop.

Aquaculture is a method where fish are raised in ocean farms. This practice focuses on sustainability and natural environmental productivity instead of traditional fishing methods. Regenerative ocean farms are a type of aquaculture where shellfish and seaweed are grown.

Biochar is a carbon-rich material made from organic material that is heated without oxygen. This material is used in soil to store carbon for long periods, preventing it from entering the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Studies show that biochar improves soil properties like water and nutrient retention, boosts soil microbial activity, and increases fertility.

Composting is the intentional breakdown of organic materials into a nutrient-rich substance to improve soil health and productivity. Common materials used in compost include animal waste, food scraps, and yard waste like leaves or grass clippings.

Cover cropping is a technique where crops are planted on bare or recently harvested fields to improve soil health. These crops help increase soil nutrients, especially nitrogen, support carbon storage in the soil, reduce erosion and runoff, and stabilize soil temperature.

Crop rotation is a method of growing different types of crops in succession to increase soil organic matter, reduce insect damage, and improve profits. Legumes are often included in crop rotations because their deep roots help store nutrients in the soil.

Holistically managed grazing is a practice that involves regularly moving livestock herds between fields to mimic natural grazing patterns. This method helps restore soil, encourage plant regrowth, store carbon in the soil, and improve water absorption.

Home gardens are small farms for personal use that often grow a variety of crops. These gardens support plant and insect diversity and help families or communities facing food shortages.

Integrated pest management is a method that uses multiple techniques to control pests in a way that benefits the environment, economy, and culture. Common techniques include introducing natural predators, using trap crops, and rotating crops.

Keyline subsoiling is a practice that changes the shape of land by creating ridges to help water spread evenly across a field. This method often improves water retention and helps crops survive during droughts.

Nature farming is a method that originated in Japan and uses natural ecosystems to produce crops. This practice avoids pesticides and chemical fertilizers, treating all living things as valuable parts of the ecosystem. Permaculture design is a similar approach.

Natural sequence farming focuses on natural water paths and surrounding plants in an environment. This method slows water movement, which helps the soil absorb water better and reduces erosion.

No-tillage or minimum tillage is a practice where leftover plants from previous harvests remain in the soil between growing seasons. This reduces soil erosion because tilling damages the soil. No-tillage is often paired with weed control methods like herbicides, as tilling helps reduce weeds.

Ponding banks are ditches dug into the ground to collect rainwater, often on land that has been damaged. These banks hold water, allowing the soil to absorb it slowly and reducing erosion.

Silvopasture is a system that combines trees, forage plants, and livestock on the same land. This method improves productivity, animal health, and ecosystem benefits.

Syntropic agriculture copies how forests naturally grow, arranging crops in layers and stages that reflect different forest development phases. This system avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, using plant diversity, pruning, and organic matter to control pests and maintain soil fertility. Research shows these methods improve plant growth, survival, and disease resistance.

Environmental impacts

Conventional farming methods, such as plowing and tilling, release carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the soil. These practices expose organic matter to the air, which speeds up oxidation. It is estimated that about one-third of all human-caused CO₂ emissions since the Industrial Revolution have come from the breakdown of soil organic matter. Between 30% and 75% of the world’s soil organic matter has been lost since farming began using tilling. Farming and soil activities contribute 13.7% of human-caused greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or 1.86 gigatonnes of carbon per year. Raising ruminant livestock, like cows, also contributes 11.6% of human-caused GHG emissions, or 1.58 gigatonnes of carbon per year. Additionally, runoff and silt from conventional farming can cause water pollution and increase methane emissions.

Regenerative agriculture methods, such as no-till farming, rotational grazing, mixed crop rotation, cover cropping, and adding compost or manure, can help reduce these problems. No-till farming keeps carbon in the soil by leaving crop residues in place when planting. Some studies suggest that using no-till methods could triple soil carbon levels in under 15 years. Globally, switching croplands to no-till systems could store about one-fourth to one-third of human-caused CO₂ emissions each year.

There is mixed evidence about how well regenerative grazing helps store carbon. A review of studies from 1972 to 2016 found that Holistic Planned Grazing did not improve plant cover or biomass more than continuous grazing, though it may help in areas with more rain. Some studies, however, show benefits. One study found that regenerative grazing, like adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing, reduces soil damage compared to continuous grazing, which can lower carbon emissions. Another study found that crop rotation and keeping cover crops in the soil helps reduce erosion. When combined with AMP grazing, these methods may help store carbon.

Less is known about how regenerative grazing compares to having no livestock on grasslands. Some studies show that removing livestock from dry grasslands can help plants and soil recover. A 2021 study found that sparsely grazed and natural grasslands store 80% of the world’s grassland carbon, while managed grasslands with more livestock have been a net source of greenhouse gases. A 2011 study found that AMP grazing stores more carbon than heavy continuous grazing but slightly less than excluding livestock entirely. Another study estimated that restoring pastureland to its natural state could store an additional 15.2 to 59.9 gigatonnes of carbon.

Experts disagree on how much regenerative grazing can store carbon. One study suggests that switching to AMP grazing and conservation farming in North America could make farmland a carbon sink, storing about 1.2 gigatonnes of carbon per year. Over 25–50 years, this could store 30–60 gigatonnes of carbon. Adding organic manure and compost also increases soil carbon. However, a 2017 study found that grazing management changes globally could store 0.3–0.8 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year, which would offset 4–11% of current livestock emissions. It also warned that expanding grazing could increase methane, nitrous oxide, and land use emissions, raising overall emissions. Project Drawdown estimated that improved grazing management could store 13.72–20.92 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent between 2020 and 2050, or 0.46–0.70 gigatonnes per year. A 2022 study found similar results, estimating 0.15–0.70 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year.

A study by the Rodale Institute suggests that switching to regenerative agriculture worldwide could absorb more than 100% of the CO₂ currently emitted by humans.

Soil organic matter holds essential nutrients for plant growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, sulfur, and molybdenum. Conventional farming, especially tilling, speeds up soil erosion and reduces organic matter, lowering soil nutrients and productivity. Tilling with inorganic fertilizer also harms soil microbes, which help create nutrients. In contrast, using organic fertilizer increases soil organic matter. Practices that restore organic matter can improve soil nutrients. For example, managing ruminant livestock in mixed-crop and grazing systems helps recycle nutrients by breaking down crop waste and encouraging nitrogen-fixing plants. Rotating crops to keep soil covered can boost soil fertility if nitrogen-fixing plants are included. Crop rotation and grazing also allow soil nutrients to recover between growing periods.

Soil microbes, including bacteria and fungi, help cycle nutrients by breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients for plants. They transform complex compounds into simpler forms plants can use. In nitrogen cycling, bacteria change nitrogen into ammonium (NH₄⁺), which is then turned into nitrate (NO₃⁻) by other bacteria. Nitrate is preferred by many plants because it is easier to absorb, though ammonium is also useful but can be harmful in large amounts. Soil pH and nutrient levels influence which form of nitrogen is absorbed first. Microbes also help release phosphorus from organic matter for plant use. A diverse microbial community improves soil health and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Conventional farming disrupts nutrient cycling by damaging soil structure through tilling, reducing organic matter, and harming soil health. These practices lower crop yields and increase the need for fertilizers.

Criticism

Some scientists have said that certain claims made by people who support regenerative agriculture are too big and not supported by strong evidence.

Allan Savory, a well-known supporter of regenerative agriculture, said in a TED talk that a method called holistic grazing could lower carbon dioxide levels to those before the industrial era in 40 years. However, Savory later said he did not claim that holistic grazing could reverse climate change. He explained that he only talked about addressing climate change and reversing human-caused desertification. Some scientists have criticized Savory for saying that the ability of holistic grazing to store carbon in the soil cannot be studied using scientific methods. In 2000, Savory claimed that the scientific method does not discover new things and that it helps protect people from incorrect ideas. A 2017 factsheet by Savory stated that studies on holistic planned grazing were rejected by scientists because they lacked proper repetition. A report called "Debates" noted that Savory argues holistic planned grazing cannot be fully tested using standard scientific methods, but he did not explain how he makes claims about fighting desertification and climate change without scientific proof.

A 2016 study from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences found that improved grazing methods can store carbon in the soil at a rate seven times slower than Savory claimed. The study concluded that holistic management cannot reverse climate change. A 2017 study by the Food and Climate Research Network said Savory’s claims about carbon storage are "unrealistic" and very different from findings in scientific studies.

Tim Searchinger and Janet Ranganathan have warned that overestimating how much soil carbon can be increased through certain practices might harm efforts to reduce climate change in agriculture. Instead, they suggest that protecting large amounts of carbon stored in forests and grasslands by improving productivity on farmland is a better way to help the climate. They say this requires using practices that increase productivity, linking those improvements to policies and funding that protect natural ecosystems.

Regenerative agriculture has been used for hundreds or even thousands of years by Indigenous groups. A study in the journal Agriculture and Human Values said that Western systems have ignored the knowledge and values of Indigenous methods, leading to unfair treatment of their contributions to regenerative agriculture.