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Common FAQs About Regenerative Agriculture
What is regenerative agriculture, really?
Regenerative agriculture is a way of growing food that works with nature, not against it. Regenerative agriculture isn’t a strict set of rules. It’s a holistic approach to land management that varies by region, climate, and culture. And while “regenerative” is becoming a popular buzzword in corporate sustainability circles, we must be vigilant that the term doesn’t get watered down or co-opted by the industrial agriculture systems it seeks to replace. That’s why older, protected terms like “agroecology” remain vital in this space to remind us of the roots of these ideas, and of the communities that have long practiced them.
Why is regenerative agriculture suddenly so popular?
Modern industrial agriculture, often called “conventional” (though it is anything but given how recently humans have started using it) only became dominant after World War II. It was built on synthetic fertilisers, chemical pesticides, monocultures, and mechanisation. Initially promoted as a solution to hunger, it became a system designed for quantity over quality.
This system served a purpose at the time – to end hunger and famine – but it has significantly contributed to the climate crisis, degraded soils, polluted waterways, driven biodiversity loss, and trapped many farmers in cycles of debt and dependency. In the Global South, the so-called “Green Revolution” pushed the same input-heavy methods, often ignoring local knowledge and creating lasting environmental and social damage.
In short: the system is broken, and farmers are stuck in it. Regenerative agriculture – or “agroecology” – is gaining momentum because it’s offering a pathway out, one that draws from traditional practices, complements them with modern science, and reimagines farming as a way to heal land and strengthen communities.
Is there certification for regenerative agriculture?
Yes — but it depends on the kind of assurance you’re looking for, and who you trust. There are three broad types:
- First-party certification: This type of certification involves the farmer sharing stories about their farm and their farming practices through transparency. In this approach, the farmer herself- or himself is responsible for demonstrating how they are implementing regenerative and sustainable practices on their farm. This may include sharing data on soil health, biodiversity, and other indicators of sustainability. This type of certification is often seen as the most authentic because it is based on the farmer’s own experience and knowledge.
- Second-party certification: This type of certification involves peer-to-peer evaluations, such as participatory guarantee systems (PGS). In this approach, either farmer-farmer or farmer-client evaluation visits are used to assess the quality of farming practices and outcomes. This type of certification is often seen as more collaborative and inclusive, as it involves the participation of both farmers and consumers. Find more information about PGS here.
- Third-party certification with standardisation: This type of certification involves an external organisation assessing and certifying farms based on a set of standardised criteria. It can establish clear benchmarks and it is generally more trusted by consumers due to its independent nature. However, standardisation in a context-specific approach may not always be compatible. Additionally, the cost of third-party certification bodies can create a whole new industry that takes money away from the farmer, making it less favourable for small-scale farmers. An example of a third-party certification system is Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC), founded by the Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’s, and Patagonia, and backed by other members of the alliance. ROC focuses on soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness in addition to organic farming practices.
Certification can help ensure credibility and accountability in regenerative agriculture. What matters most is transparency, integrity, and context-specific practice. Tools like Kiss the Ground’s Certification Guide can help producers and buyers navigate the options.
Can regenerative agriculture help mitigate climate change?
Yes — it must. Agrifood systems account for roughly one-third of human-caused GHG emissions. So, if we want to tackle the climate crisis, transforming agriculture is non-negotiable.
Regenerative agriculture helps in three key intersecting ways:
1. Reducing emissions
- By cutting synthetic fertiliser use, improving animal management, and shifting away from energy-intensive practices, regenerative farming lowers the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
2. Restoring ecosystems
- Regenerative practices rebuild soil health, increase biodiversity, and bring degraded landscapes back to life. Healthier ecosystems are more resilient to climate shocks and support natural cycles that regulate carbon, water, and nutrients.
3. Sequestering carbon
- Healthy soils, trees, and plants act as natural carbon sinks — pulling carbon dioxide out of the air and storing it underground, where it can feed life rather than fuel the crisis.
However, carbon sequestration isn’t instant. It can take decades and is limited by soil type and land use. That’s why emission reduction must happen at the same time. Regenerative agriculture, done right, can do both.
To use Project Drawdown’s metaphor:
“Cutting emissions is like turning off the faucet. Carbon sinks are like the mop — they clean up the mess we’ve already made. We need both.”
Is regenerative agriculture economically viable?
Like any transition, the shift to regenerative agriculture comes with growing pains. In the early years, farmers may face lower yields, more labour, and higher upfront costs as ecosystems rebuild and synthetic inputs are phased out. But once soil health returns, inputs decline, resilience increases, and profits can even surpass those of conventional farming.
Regenerative farming also opens up new income streams:
• Lower input costs (less fertiliser, fewer chemicals)
• Price premiums for nutrient-rich, regeneratively grown food
• Diversified income from mixed crops or livestock
• Payments for ecosystem services — like carbon or water quality
The economic benefits of regenerative agriculture is particularly felt by small-holder farmers who produce a third of the world’s food.
Many smallholder farmers already operate with limited access to synthetic inputs like fertilisers and pesticides, which can be expensive and hard to come by. Regenerative practices rely more on natural processes (e.g. composting, cover crops, crop rotation), making them a more accessible and cost-effective fit.
Regenerative agriculture encourages mixed cropping, agroforestry, and livestock integration. These practices align well with small-scale farming, where farmers often grow for both market and household use. The result: greater food and income security, and reduced dependence on single crops.
Smallholders also often farm in areas facing severe soil degradation, water stress, and climate shocks. Regenerative practices restore soil health, retain water, and increase biodiversity, directly addressing these vulnerabilities. The ecological gains can be more noticeable, and more urgent, for small farms
Still, the economics won’t work without strong, supportive policies. Today, farmers are locked into systems that reward short-term extraction. To unlock the regenerative future, we need funding mechanisms that cover transition costs, market access for regenerative products, and access to learnings grounded in both science and lived experience.
Can regenerative agriculture feed the world?
Yes — and it must, because the future of our food depends on it.
While regenerative methods may lead to slightly lower yields in the early years, combining them with smarter land use, reduced food waste, and a shift toward more plant-based diets can ensure there’s enough food for everyone. And as soil health improves, regenerative yields often bounce back or even increase.
The alternative to regenerative agriculture is continuing business as usual. Our food systems today are depleting our soils, polluting our waters, accelerating biodiversity loss, and driving the climate crisis, all while leaving many farmers in crisis themselves.
If we don’t change course, we risk breaking the foundations of global food security. Regenerative agriculture is not just a viable option — it’s a necessary one.
Does regenerative agriculture need new technologies to implement?
No — regenerative agriculture doesn’t need to rely on high-tech tools like AI or precision farming systems. It can be low-input and accessible, often using simple, locally adapted methods.
While certain technologies can support regenerative practices, like monitoring tools or soil analysis, the heart of regenerative agriculture lies in observing, adapting and restoring. It’s not precision farming, which often uses technology to optimise industrial outputs. Instead, regenerative farming looks at the whole system: soil health, biodiversity, water cycles, and community wellbeing.
Over-reliance on technocratic solutions can distract from the real work of rebuilding relationships between people and landscapes. It can also create barriers for farmers and communities who may lack access to expensive tools.
Why is regenerative agriculture more popular among young people?
Young people are increasingly drawn to regenerative agriculture because it aligns with their desire for meaningful, purpose-driven work.
According to the National Young Farmers Coalition’s 2022 survey (conducted in the US), 83% of young farmers cited conservation or regeneration as a primary motivation for farming. Additionally, 86% reported practicing regenerative farming methods, and 97% employed other sustainable practices .
This trend reflects a broader commitment among younger generations to engage in work that contributes positively to the environment and society. Regenerative agriculture offers a tangible way for young people to address climate change, enhance food security, and promote social equity through sustainable farming practices.
Do you have resources, tools, or insights to share about regenerative agriculture?
Only by sharing questions, insights, data and resources, can we collectively ensure that regenerative agriculture stays a movement that truly benefits communities and landscapes. So let us know your thoughts in the comments. Which questions are on your mind? Which resources would you like to share with the community?
Article updated on May 2025
