Regenerative agriculture supports farmer viability, thriving ecosystems, and vibrant communities.
But how do we define a holistic approach to agriculture without getting lost in the details?
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
There is no official definition of regenerative agriculture. To some, regenerative agriculture means farming and ranching practices that create healthier ecosystems, increase farm resiliency, and build soil health (rather than extract nutrients). These include managed rotational livestock grazing, use of cover crops, and minimal soil disruption. But focusing only on practices and ecological outcomes minimizes the Indigenous roots of regenerative agriculture and the positive social and economic impacts.
Our Framework
Wolfe’s Neck Center has adopted a systems approach to regenerative agriculture that is holistic, place-specific, and associated with improved agricultural, ecological, social, health, and economic outcomes. These include:
- Enhanced soil health and carbon sequestration
- The production of abundant, healthy food
- Thriving and healthy farms, farm workers, and communities
- Support for intersecting ecosystems
- Improved water quality and conservation
- A focus on animal welfare
- Restoring relationships to the land, especially for BIPOC communities
- The restoration of land, waters, and the climate for future generations
Regenerative Agriculture at Wolfe’s Neck Center
Our work advancing regenerative agriculture is guided by the following elements:
- Wolfe’s Neck Center is uniquely positioned to bring together stakeholders to share information and further knowledge in this area to advance the field.
- We are committed to meeting farmers where they are, and understand that differences in geography and resources impact farmers’ connections to regenerative agriculture.
- Wolfe’s Neck Center has onsite production systems that are certified organic. But while we believe organic agriculture is an important component of regenerative agriculture, we do not believe that regenerative agriculture is only open to organic farmers.
Above all, regenerative agriculture requires knowledge-sharing and collaboration among farmers to effectively implement and maintain, and an educated consumer base to help support and grow the movement.
