What Does Regenerative Agriculture Really Mean?

Regenerative agriculture is having a moment. The keyword “regenerative” appears on food labels, at farmstands, and anywhere conversations about agricultural sustainability arise. But what does it actually mean? 

In practice, there is no consensus on the definition of regenerative agriculture. The term and its use are mostly unregulated. Commercially, any product could technically call itself “regenerative” without meeting any baseline requirements. So what happens when food products are labeled “regenerative” but they come from farms that use conventional practices? 

This is a familiar marketing pattern. Without a clear, widely understood definition of the term or any kind of verification of farming practices, Big Ag companies often jump on popular label bandwagons. In an attempt to bask in the glow of conscious consumer dollars, these corporations ultimately diminish the term’s true meaning. 

What is the goal of regenerative agriculture?

Regenerative farming practices have been around for centuries. Throughout time, Indigenous communities have cultivated the land with a deep understanding of ecological balance. These techniques are the foundation for regenerative agriculture. 

Basic goals of regenerative agriculture include capturing natural energy, sequestering carbon in the soil, building up organic matter in the soil, and ultimately creating more resilient land for more bountiful harvests over time. On a larger scale, benchmarks include mitigating climate change, providing a viable alternative to factory farming, creating healthier, more nutritious products, improving communities, and prioritizing animal welfare. It’s a form of land stewardship rooted in respect for nature.

Though the practices have a long, rich history, the actual term “regenerative agriculture” didn’t emerge until the 1980s. It was born from a disenfranchised group of farmers who became fed up with the rise of industrial agriculture. Their vision entailed “bringing farmers and consumers back into contact with one another, better mental health for farmers, the resilience of rural economies, the role of small-scale producers, processors and distributors, and a redistribution of power in the food system.”

In short, the roots of the regenerative agriculture movement are radical. They represent a rejection of modern, conventional farming methods. The focus shifts from profit and output to improving social and environmental outcomes. 

What should regenerative agriculture look like?

Unlike conventional agricultural methods that pervade industrial farming models, regenerative farming typically looks much more picturesque. Some images that come to mind are rich, black soil; colorful, healthy crops; abundant pollinators; and natural, biodiverse plant life. 

Here are some common regenerative farming practices:

• Cover cropping: While resting, the land is planted but not harvested. These plants help prevent soil erosion, maintain soil fertility, and reduce the long-term need for herbicides.
• No-Till: Instead of heavily disturbing the earth, farmers use special equipment that protects soil quality and nutrients by disturbing only the very top layer of soil when digging or harvesting. 
• Composting: Natural, organic matter is recycled and used as fertilizer. The result is enriched and nutrient-dense soil.
• Crop rotation: Crops are regularly swapped between fields between growing cycles to give the soil time to rest.
• Permaculture: Designing land in a way that integrates people, plants, and animals into self-sustaining cycles and systems. This model promotes natural biodiversity, conserves water, and can improve soil health.
• Agroforestry: Integrating trees into the landscape, forming a single habitat. This practice increases soil stability and water retention, creates rich habitats for wildlife, and improves biodiversity.

A throughline in all of these practices is an emphasis on sustainability and resiliency. Each of these methods helps increase yields over time, rather than short-term successes at the expense of resiliency. Notably, the focus is on “regeneration” of soil, nutrients, and life rather than extraction. Broadly, farmers who practice regenerative agriculture can incorporate any number of these practices. 

Is regenerative agriculture a form of greenwashing?

Consumer interest in regeneratively farmed foods is rapidly growing. A 2024 consumer report found that, though familiarity with the term “regenerative” is increasing, actual understanding of its meaning remains low. This discrepancy highlights the importance of creating and upholding clear guidelines for what regenerative agriculture actually is, and more importantly, what it is not. 

As “regenerative” becomes a buzzword, megacorporations look to cash in on that interest. In recent years, food giants like Unilever, Nestle, and PepsiCo have set targets to incorporate regenerative practices into their supply chains. A 2023 report found that, among 79 companies worth $3 trillion, 50 (63%) mentioned regenerative agriculture initiatives in their public disclosures. Of those 50, a meager eight, or 16%, discussed metrics or data. Only four bothered to establish a baseline to measure any progress. Consumers and critics are left to wonder: what good are corporate pledges without real, measurable action? 

Is the future of agriculture regenerative?

Regenerative agriculture and its philosophies are rooted in goodness. As we start to feel climate change and its effects more acutely, farmers and consumers alike will continue to seek options that improve not only our food security but also mitigate damage to our planet. But inconsistent and unclear overuse of any term is problematic. Ultimately, regenerative agriculture as a whole will begin to lose its value if consumer trust is lost. 

To protect the regenerative agriculture movement and others like it, clear definitions and guidelines must be established and upheld. It must be made clear that regenerative labeling stands for a practice, not an aspiration, especially if that label comes with a higher price tag. 

The Transfarmation Project^® believes in a better food future. We’re working directly with farmers to build it every day. Regenerative practices will play a critical role in the food system we’re fighting for.  This vision is a significant driver of our organization's efforts to fight industrial animal agriculture.