Welcome to the new season based ChangeUnderground Podcast. The theme, as always, is “Decarbonise the Air, Recarbonise the soil!” In this first dedicated season, I’m going back to take a deep look at the world of Regenerative Agriculture, its current state of play and where it might be heading. That being laid out, this episode, episode 1 of season 9, will cover the basics, the underlying principles and an overview of practices.

So without further ado…

Traditional farming practices contribute to soil degradation, loss of biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions. This is where regenerative agriculture comes in, offering a sustainable and ecological alternative. In this blog post, we will dive into the basics of regenerative agriculture, covering its fundamental principles and benefits.

What is Regenerative Agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming and gardening that goes beyond mere sustainability; it seeks to actively restore and regenerate the health of our ecosystems and the vitality of the land. The main focus of regenerative agriculture is to mimic natural processes, fostering soil health, enhancing biodiversity and sequestering carbon.

At its core, regenerative agriculture is an holistic system that emphasises a deep connection between soil health, plant health and human health. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach but rather a flexible framework that can be adapted to various agricultural practices.

The Principles of Regenerative Agriculture

1. Minimise Soil Disturbance: Conventional farming often involves intensive ploughing which disrupts the soil structure and depletes its natural resources. Regenerative agriculture advocates for minimal soil disturbance, with practices like no-till farming, which leaves the soil structure intact, reducing erosion and enhancing the soil’s capacity to sequester carbon.
2. Diverse Cover Crops: Planting cover crops, such as legumes and grasses, between cash crops helps prevent erosion, suppress weeds and improve soil health. These cover crops also provide habitat for beneficial insects and microorganisms. The soil needs to be covered and to be sustaining plant life for the plant life to sustain the soil. It’s worth remembering the soil is not separate from that which grows with it.
3. Crop Rotation: Rotating crops in a regenerative system is essential to break pest cycles, improve soil nutrient cycling and enhance overall soil health. The greater the diversity of plant life the more resilient the soil structure and life. If this “rotation”, in inverted commas, can occur simultaneously with different plant types growing together, so much the better.
4. Livestock Integration: Many regenerative farming systems incorporate livestock like cattle, sheep and chickens. They help in nutrient cycling, adding organic matter to the soil and even pest control. Indeed the mimicking of nature requires the use of livestock. Animals will arrive anyway, might as well use the ones that provide a return.
5. Compost and Organic Matter: The addition of organic matter through compost, mulch and other sources enriches the soil, making it more fertile and able to retain moisture. Again if this can be done in situ, so much the better. As the late John Seymour put it: The quickest way to make compost is to feed vegetation through an animal. 24 hours tops.
6. Reduced Synthetic Inputs: Regenerative agriculture seeks to minimise the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, relying on natural systems to maintain soil and crop health. The end point is the end of the synthetic inputs industry. 

The Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture

Understanding the basics of regenerative agriculture wouldn’t be complete without exploring the numerous benefits it offers:

1. Improved Soil Health: The heart of regenerative agriculture is soil health. By promoting practices that increase organic matter, reduce erosion and enhance soil structure, regenerative farming leads to healthier and more fertile soils.
2. Carbon Sequestration: Regenerative agriculture actively captures and stores carbon in the soil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Healthy soils contain more carbon, which is essential for mitigating climate change and growing healthier plants and animals.
3. Enhanced Biodiversity: By maintaining diverse cover crops, ending the use of synthetic additives, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc and providing habitat for wildlife, regenerative farming increases biodiversity on and around the farm.
4. Water Conservation: Practices like no-till and cover cropping reduce water runoff and help the soil retain moisture. This is especially important in regions with water scarcity.
5. Economic Viability: While there may be a learning curve and initial investment in transitioning to regenerative practices, the long-term benefits include reduced input costs and improved yields, making it a more economically sustainable methodology.
6. Resilience to Climate Change: Regenerative agriculture helps farms adapt to the impacts of climate change. Healthy soils can absorb and hold more water, reducing the effects of drought and extreme weather events.Weather events may be so outside the three standard variations with a warming planet that nothing can resist their impacts. Regenerative methods provide a better safety net than the spray, plough, spray approach.
7. High-Quality Food: Regenerative practices often lead to crops that are more nutrient-dense and flavorful which benefits both farmers and consumers.

Challenges and Considerations

While regenerative agriculture offers numerous advantages, it also comes with challenges and considerations. The transition from conventional farming practices can be complex and requires careful planning. Experimentation with new techniques and adapting to different rhythms of nature all take time but equally stimulate the mind. There may also be initial costs and labour adjustments. However, the long-term benefits make it a worthwhile endeavour.

The Future of Regenerative Agriculture

The future of agriculture is intrinsically tied to regenerative practices. As the world faces increasing environmental challenges with climate changes and declining soil health, regenerative agriculture offers a viable and sustainable path forward. It’s not just a trend; it’s a necessary shift in how we produce our food.

Consumer demand for environmentally conscious and healthy food options is driving the adoption of regenerative practices. More consumers are seeking out products grown using regenerative methods, supporting the shift toward a more sustainable food system. The greater the demand, the more likely others will shift to regenerative methods. 

In conclusion, understanding the basics of regenerative agriculture is crucial in realising its potential to revolutionise our food system and mitigate some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. By promoting healthy soils, biodiversity and climate resilience, regenerative agriculture offers a path toward a more sustainable and resilient future for agriculture. It’s not just a farming technique; it’s a philosophy that embraces an holistic and interconnected approach to farming and land stewardship. The future is regenerative!