Regenerative
We have organic agriculture so why do we need another label or certification?
Enjoy,
David Proctor

Regenerative Agriculture Certification
by David Proctor
September 12, 2024
Urban Farm Lifestyle Magazine Published Weekly
Is this what we really need, more labels?
When shopping I will look for organic foods to purchase.
I believe that buying food with the organic label gives the hope of purchasing a higher quality, more nutritious food.
To some extent, I believe this is true of the organic label.
Organic foods are supposed to at least have less toxins and not be or have genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Cover Crop
I have talked about in articles whether hydroponics is organic or not.
Hydroponics can and does carry the organic label.
This has drawn some people to come up with a new label that is centered around the soil.
Is “regenerative” the new “natural” type of agriculture?
Unfortunately, the label has several interpretations so it is hard to give a concise definition.
Regenerative agriculture versus organic agriculture uses a different way to measure results.
Organic is based primarily on what is not in the product and is a more extractive approach.
Regenerative is based on outcomes, that are more sustainable to the environment, with a focus on conservation, topsoil regeneration, biodiversity, and improving the water cycle.
Regenerative Agriculture
There are four certifications that stand out currently.
The first one is Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC)
Regenorganic.org
Regenerative Organic Certified
Regenerative Organic Certified was established by the Rodale Institute, Patagonia, and Dr. Bronner, in 2017 in “response to the NOP decision to allow hydroponics and factory farm style practices in animal agriculture.
This is the only one that requires farmers to be organic before they can be regenerative.”
The second one is Soil & Climate Initiative (SCI)
Soilclimateinitiative.org
To be certified requires lab and field testing to demonstrate improvements in minimizing soil disturbance, having living roots in the ground year-round, keeping year-round soil coverage, maximizing diversity above and belowground, reducing synthetic inputs, and integrating livestock.
The third is Regenified (R)
Regenified.com
Regenified was founded in 2022 by Gabe Brown, Allen Williams, and Doug Peterson, all famous in agriculture in their own rights.
Regenified standard is based on the 6 Principles of Soil Health, 3 Rules of Adaptive Stewardship, and 4 Ecosystem Processes.
The fourth is Integrity Grown (IG)
Founded by Advancing Eco Agriculture
Integrity Grown is a verification and regenerative standards initiative by Advancing Eco Agriculture, founder John Kempff.
This is the most outcome-based program.
In addition to soil testing, they also measure products by the absence of toxins and the presence of “quality”.
Many of the big-name agri-food companies such as Walmart, General Mills, Cargill, and even PepsiCo have shown support for regenerative agriculture.
For these big names to be in the ring of support one must wonder about their motives.
Is it for our health and saving the planet or is it to capture and retain the huge amount of money that is spent on organic food?
Companies do have to make a profit to stay in business, I understand that.
I hope the support and dedication will make advancements in eco-ag.
I believe we need to take a step back and let all the new certifications and labels compete as to who is the best for the consumer and the environment.
They all have their pros and cons and with time will change and adapt to demand.
This is one reason I enjoy listening to the podcast Beyond Labels with Joel Salatin and Dr. Sina McCullough.
They discuss how the existing and new labels can change, especially after the government gets involved.
The best advice I can give is to grow and raise your own food.
If you can not do that then try to get to know your local farmer and support them and see how they grow and raise the food you are buying from them.
Check It Out!
Quick Tip
“Imagine if all the energy and resources poured into the organic label were instead directed towards fostering a simpler parallel universe where individuals could freely butcher a chicken and sell it to a neighbor, or exchange raw milk with a neighbor.
How might our food system differ if we championed a liberty-oriented approach to marketing, promoting neighbor-to-neighbor food commerce over bureaucratic licensing and compliance?”
Joel Salatin
Bibliography:
Regenerative agriculture. (2024, August 24). In Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regenerative_agriculture
Hubbar, Lucus. “Certification Organization Proliferation.” Acres USA, Sept. 2024, pp. 28–31.
“Regenerative Organic Agriculture.” Rodale Institute, 29 Oct. 2020, rodaleinstitute.org/why-organic/organic-basics/regenerative-organic-agriculture/.
“Soil & Climate Initiative.” Soil & Climate Initiative, www.soilclimateinitiative.org/. Accessed 7 Sept. 2024.
“Regenerative Agriculture Certification.” Regenified, 6 Sept. 2024, regenified.com/.
“Integrity Grown.” Advancing Eco Agriculture, 3 Sept. 2024, advancingecoag.com/integrity-grown/.
Salatin, Joel, and Sina McCullough. “Episode #148: Label Shocker: Study Shows Mandatory Labeling Improved Support for Gmos!” Rumble, 4 July 2024, rumble.com/v4v35sx-episode-144-label-shocker-study-shows-mandatory-labeling-improved-support-f.html.
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