Regenerative Agriculture

Abstract

Recognizing a host of environmental impacts resulting from traditional agricultural practices, farmers are increasingly turning to regenerative agriculture as a solution. This approach includes using organic fertilizers, adding carbon-containing amendments to the soil, and employing no-till planting. These techniques serve to both reduce harmful impacts on soil and water quality and help mitigate climate change. By both reducing the release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and storing more carbon in the soil, regenerative agriculture has the potential to change farmed land from a carbon source to a carbon sink. The challenge, of course, is to maintain a high level of productivity and continue to support agricultural economies. In this unit, you’ll consider adopting one of three regenerative agriculture techniques: no-till planting, adding biochar amendments to the soil, and applying organic fertilizers. By employing your chosen solution, farmers should be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve the health and biodiversity of soil, and maintain high crop yields.