Why Look for Regenerative Agriculture Labeling on Food

In the interest in safeguarding health, many people use the Environmental Working Groups yearly guide that identifies the “Dirty Dozen:” which produce has the highest level of toxic pesticides you will want to buy organic. Others buy all organic in the interest of keeping toxic chemicals runoff out of our water supply and in the interest of the health of those working the fields. Now there is a higher standard of organic, Regenerative Agriculture. The term was coined by Robert Rodale, whose father J. I. Rodale pioneered organic farming in the 1930’s. It is a commitment to return to sustainable agricultural practices both in raising crops and farm animals. Most importantly the farmers seek to preserve and improve the health of the soil to produce more yield with higher nutrition.  It will improve and preserve the ecosystem for our benefit for generations to come.

Their practices include:

• Prioritizing soil health and vitality with minimal or no tilling to not damage the topsoil so it better resists erosion and flooding, and facilitates the growth of healthier, stronger plants with greater nutritional value
• Utilizes beneficial insects and plants to combat plant pests
• Using a variety of heirloom plants that are hardier and thrive
• Rotating crops and livestock to thwart weed cycles, using waste to compost for fertilizer
• Conserving water and replenishing waterways
• Planting nitrogen fixing cover crops* after harvest to anchor the soil
• Raising cattle in pastures rotating the fields in which they graze to preserve grasslands*

*having more plants takes more carbon out of the air and supplies oxygen in return.

Contrast that with current western industrial farming techniques which cause soil erosion, depletes of soil microbes which lowers the nutrient levels of food. Their use synthetic toxic chemicals for pest and weed control cause sickness and cancer, harm wildlife (including pollinators) and cause algae blooms in freshwater and coastal waters sickening or killing fish and marine life. They produce 75% of the world’s food using only 12 plants (many being GMO) and 5 animals, which dependence on a few hybrid plants risks catastrophic loss and famine if plants become diseased or change in weather in the area wipes them out. They raise farm animals inhumanly, caged or fenced with no access to grass, even sunlight, dosing the stressed sick animals with antibiotics and hormones to accelerate growth which are harmful to us to ingest as well.

The methods of Regenerative Farming grows healthier and stronger plants that are more resilient to weather fluctuations (from drought to deluge or temperature) which increases yields as compared to conventional farms. Raising animals to roam in nature makes for healthier livestock and their products. The farmers are being good stewards of the land making it better for all long term. It might be beneficial to us all now and in the future to support products from regenerative farms.

And there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. Luke 2:8:9

Survey Finds What Remodeling Projects Bring Joy

Gain the Health Benefits of Beets!

No Bake Sweet Potato Pie