What is regenerative agriculture?

By Caroline Grass

October 14, 2023

The greenhouse at The Learning Farm in Ithaca, New York. (Photo by Caroline Grass/Ithaca Week)

Earlier in the week, I visited The Learning Farm for my upcoming mobile social journalism article. The Learning Farm works to educate families and children about sustainable food production and help reconnect people to the land. I spoke with co-founder and head farmer Pete Núñez and he talked about how they practice regenerative farming.

I decided to look more into what regenerative agriculture is and how it can help with climate change. In 2020, The Environmental Protection Agency estimated that agriculture accounted for 11.2% percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, regenerative agriculture is a land management philosophy that looks at the interconnected nature of soil, crops, water and people. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation writes about five key principles to the approach.

1. Minimize disturbance of soil

2. Keep soil covered

3. Focus on plant diversity

4. Stabilize soil with crops

5. Integrate animals into farms

There isn't one set definition for regenerative agriculture and the NRDC highlights principles of reducing or eliminating the use of synthetic inputs, prioritizing healthy soil and nurturing relationships within an ecosystem. The organization is clear to say that regenerative agriculture is not something new, indigenous communities have been practicing these techniques for thousands of years.

Núñez talked about their farming practices at The Learning Farm which revolve around three main things: soil health, carbon sequestration and erosion control. The Learning Farm has about 70-80 animals including chickens, geese, ducks, goats, guinea hens, bunnies and alpacas. The animals graze on the land and their waste is a natural fertilizer which aids in creating healthy soil. The farm does not use any chemicals or pesticides on the land. Núñez also talked about the orchard and vineyard he started for carbon sequestration and the trees he planted their creek for erosion protection.

Knowing about how the food we consume is grown and supporting farms that are implementing sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices can help local farms thrive. In the end, Núñez said the process is simple, "put it in the grounds and let nature care of itself."