Back to Our Roots: The Revolution of Regenerative Agriculture
By Christian Webber
Published Thursday, May 4, 2023
“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself.” – President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Regenerative agriculture is a land management philosophy that focuses on farming and ranching in harmony with nature.[1] This means of producing food may have lower—or even net positive—environmental and social impacts.[2] At its core, this method of agriculture intends to improve or restore the health of soil, which enhances the quality of water, vegetation, and land-productivity.[3] What comes with these practices is a stronger environment, with soil that has integrity and animals and plants in their natural state. In addition to these benefits, Americans cultivate healthier minds and bodies by consuming foods that are grown and raised in a regenerative or organic manner[4]—creating an overall environment of wellness.
Approximately one-third of global land use is associated with agriculture and about 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions are tied to food production.[5] Unfortunately, industrial agriculture in the United States has had deleterious effects to both the environment and the country’s population. For example, practices often involve, but are not limited to, the use of toxic chemicals, the use of antibiotics, water pollution, air pollution, declining nutrition, and a rise in mental health issues.[6] In addition, since the 1970s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has encouraged an industry custom of “get big or get out.”[7] This involved dramatically expanding crop production, controlling environmental uncertainty, and preventing crop losses.[8] Altogether, this rapid industrialization has had negative impacts on the climate, soil health, and biodiversity. [9] The massive feed-crop production and manure associated with industrial facilities are significant contributors to air pollution, water pollution, and emissions.[10] Also, when environments become altered and polluted by industrialized agriculture, vulnerable species may lose their habitats and possibly go extinct.[11] It is shocking, one might think, that the federal government has acquiesced to such abhorrent agricultural practices—especially when this impactful industry touches the fundamental aspects and necessities of each American’s mind and body.
Industry practices are to be regulated by the USDA and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), but these agencies have failed to adequately regulate these practices. The USDA “provide[s] leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.”[12] The FDA “is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of . . . biological products . . . and by ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply.”[13] Has the USDA and FDA compromised the health of the land and people in the United States by not imposing laws that require regenerative, or at a minimum, natural and organic, practices? If Congress’ intent was to establish federal agencies that considered public health, nutrition, the best available science, and safety, these agencies have utterly disregarded these goals by enabling the practices mentioned above.
The federal government is slowly reacting to this growing issue. Through the Inflation Reduction Act, Congress granted massive subsidies for clean power, electric vehicles, and the promotion of “farming practices thought to be climate friendly.”[14] One such practice that is encouraged is no-till agriculture and cover crops, which are cultivated simply to protect the soil.[15] The Inflation Reduction Act also targets livestock, which emit methane—accounting for 27% of all greenhouse emissions from U.S. agriculture.[16]
Although it is positive that the federal government is acknowledging that change is required, it may be too little, too late. A movement toward healthier lands and communities will require commitment to regenerative practices at the local level. Put simply, while the Inflation Reduction Act or any other federal legislation may have a positive impact in this area, it is unreasonable to rely on prompt changes from that source. It has been demonstrated, time and time again, that the USDA and FDA are inadequate to make such changes. Partly due to a political system that over-represents rural voters and monied interests, the USDA in particular is “thoroughly captured by big agribusiness” and is stuck serving “mega-corporations and rich farmers.”[17] Further, because few people and few corporations control food production and distribution, the public’s interest has been compromised. [18] Now, over 100 million Americans are obese or suffer from diet-related diseases.[19] This is just one of many dire circumstances brought about by the system in place.
Federal regulation is the floor when it comes to agricultural requirements. National standards might be set by Congress and regulated by a federal agency, but because states have different sets of natural and economic interests, states may adopt laws that are at least as stringent as the federal equivalent, or more stringent.[20] Therefore, we may begin seeing more state involvement in this area to compensate for the lack of federal stringency. For example, Minnesota lawmakers have agri-environmental regulations that allow policymakers to “either control or outright prohibit farming practices that have the potential to harm natural resources.”[21]
Since agencies have not fulfilled their duties that Congress delegated them, strong and independent small businesses and citizens are demanding a different path forward. The fundamental goals and practices of regenerative farming are simply not present in the realm of industrial agriculture. One of these pillars of regenerative farming is the promotion of water quality and retention.[22] Across the American West, water is becoming scarce.[23] It is important to note that in Arizona, for example, a whopping 74% of all water in the state is used for agricultural purposes.[24] This is compared to the 20% put to use residentially and municipally.[25] Restoring soil and local water cycles—activities highlighted in regenerative practices—are beneficial in reducing water usage and the effects of potential droughts.[26] And even if a farm does not qualify as regenerative under every definition or standard, implementing steps to improve the environment and nutritional value of the foods are ways of making important progress. Beyond local farmers, parties like restauranteurs, stores, and consumers can purchase regenerative products to help stabilize the environment and bring change that they may not see immediately required by the federal government.
An example of how this is being executed and accomplished is by Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company, located in Phoenix and Gilbert. Grounded in the company’s motto, “Drink Like You Care,” the brewery launched a pale ale called “This Beer Saves Water.” [27] Using barley from Sinagua Malt,[28] which diverts less water during specific seasons, allows the brewery to save more than fifty gallons of water in the Verde River for every pint that is brewed.[29] This is significant, considering the substantial threat the endangered Verde River faces.[30]
This collaboration between farmers, local businesses, and customers is a true demonstration of the initiatives that will bring benefits to our environment and health. I sat down with Jon Buford, founder of Arizona Wilderness, and he felt confident that in the next fifty years regenerative agriculture will be the only game in town, as “there won’t be any other way to do it.”[31] He mentioned that it will require incremental changes and for citizens to “vote at the register.”[32] And because soil health is a “long-term game” that Arizona Wilderness is committed to, they have joined coalitions like Regenerate America — which encourages the rapid and widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture by pressuring key legislation.[33]
Another example of businesses operating in a manner that returns us to our roots is Steadfast Farm in Mesa, Arizona. I spoke with Erich Schultz, owner and farmer, about his practices to help save space, grow nutritional products, and educate the community.[34] Schultz’s business model focuses on suburban communities and developing more meaning and connection with where food comes from.[35] This “agrihood” movement is growing across the country.[36] These are communities that are “usually planned around a farm and offer[] access to unblemished landscapes, locally grown food, and homes built to environmentally friendly standards.”[37] Schultz prides his business on exceeding USDA standards and the practices he has implemented on the farm.[38] Steadfast grows “bio-intensively,” without the need for large tractors.[39] This approach yields up to 20 or 30 times more per square foot than other farms that use large, industrial equipment.[40] These techniques, along with reduction or elimination of chemicals, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and antibiotics, all contribute to a positive impact on farm and ranch profitability.[41] Above all, Schultz stressed that his primary concern is his soil.[42] Having nutrient-dense soil can be achieved through minimal tillage, the farm’s choice of tools (to plant “effectively and efficiently”), the type of weed control that is used, and using drip irrigation to be precise, but also conscious of how much water is being used.[43] Through this expertise and discipline, Steadfast Farm is providing not only local restaurants with produce, but educating families in the area about the food they consume, and most importantly, offering a more nutritional lifestyle.
There are a multitude of benefits from better farming practices—not just to the environment, but for us as humans. The federal government, particularly the USDA and FDA, have agreed to allow industrial and corporate giants to implement agricultural practices that our ancestors would find repugnant; like factory farming[44] and the use of toxic chemicals.[45] The USDA’s duty is to provide “leadership on food.” It is evident that this duty is not being fulfilled and therefore, it will require true leaders, like restauranteurs, farmers, and consumers to move the needle in the revolution of how we grow our produce and raise our animals. From a legal and regulatory standpoint, action is not being taken swiftly enough. Until then, those at the local level will continue making lifestyle choices that will eventually demand naturally-grown foods — which, said out loud, sounds like an odd request. Farming practices, especially those that are regenerative, improve soil quality, reduce water usage, and provide more nutritional foods. It is time to return to our roots, literally and figuratively, by simultaneously improving our environment and wellness.
Visit Arizona Wilderness for food & drinks in Phoenix at 201 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 or in Gilbert at 721 N Arizona Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233.
Visit Steadfast Farm and shop produce and other goods at 5111 Inspirian Pkwy, Mesa, AZ 85212.
Read about Regenerate America and support its coalition partners here.
ENDNOTES
[1] Arohi Sharma, et. al., Regenerative Agriculture: Farm Policy for the 21st Century, Natural Resources Defense Council 4 (Mar. 2022), https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/regenerative-agriculture-farm-policy-21st-century-report.pdf.
[2] Peter Newton, et. al., What Is Regenerative Agriculture? A Review of Scholar and Practitioner Definitions Based on Processes and Outcomes, 4 Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 1, 2 (2020), https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2020.577723/full.
[3] Id. at 2.
[4] See Oliver Morrison, Study reveals nutritional benefits of regenerative agriculture crops, Food Navigator – Europe (Mar. 21, 2022, 9:36 A.M.), https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2022/03/18/Study-reveals-nutritional-benefits-of-regenerative-agriculture-crops; See also Chris Casey, Crops grown with regenerative agriculture are healthier, study finds, Food Dive (March 31, 2022), https://www.fooddive.com/news/crops-grown-with-regenerative-agriculture-are-healthier-study-finds/621139/#:~:text=Regenerative%20farming%20practices%20that%20improve,to%20University%20of%20Washington%20researchers.
[5] Newton, supra note 2, at 1.
[6] Human Health, Rodale Institute, (last visited April 27, 2023, 4:00 PM), https://rodaleinstitute.org/why-organic/issues-and-priorities/human-health/#:~:text=Regenerative%20organic%20agriculture%20eliminates%20the,and%20interpersonal%20quality%20of%20life.
[7] Sharma, supra note 1, at 8.
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] Feeling the Heat: Factory Farming and Climate Change, ASPCA (Aug. 2, 2022), https://www.aspca.org/news/feeling-heat-factory-farming-and-climate-change#:~:text=Specifically%2C%20the%20massive%20feed%2Dcrop,well%20as%20climate%2Dwarming%20emissions.
[11] Biodiversity and Agriculture, Foodprint (Feb. 17, 2021), https://foodprint.org/issues/biodiversity-and-agriculture/#:~:text=Industrial%20Agriculture's%20Impact%20on%20Wild%20Biodiversity&text=When%20environments%20are%20too%20altered,even%20go%20extinct%2C%20harming%20biodiversity..
[12] About the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA (last visited April 27, 2023, 5:00 PM), https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda#:~:text=We%20provide%20leadership%20on%20food,available%20science%2C%20and%20effective%20management.
[13] What We Do, FDA (last visited April 27, 2023, 5:00 PM), https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/what-we-do#:~:text=The%20Food%20and%20Drug%20Administration,and%20products%20that%20emit%20radiation.
[14] Erik Stokstad, Can farmers fight climate change? New U.S. law gives them billions to try, Science (Aug. 16, 2022, 5:30 PM), https://www.science.org/content/article/can-farmers-fight-climate-change-new-u-s-law-gives-them-billions-try.
[15] Id.
[16] Id.
[17] Gabriel Rosenberg & Jan Dutkiewicz, Abolish the Department of Agriculture, The New Republic (Dec. 27, 2021), https://newrepublic.com/article/164874/abolish-department-agriculture.
[18] Id. This is compared to a society, when the USDA was created, where the majority of people made their livelihoods from agriculture.
[19] Id.
[20] U.S. Federal vs. State Environmental Regulations: what to follow?, Wolters Kluwer (Oct. 10, 2019), https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/us-federal-vs-state-environmental-regulations-what-to-follow.
[21] Colbey Sullivan, et al., A Minnesota Lawmaker’s Guide to the Agri-Environmental Policy Landscape, MN House Research (Nov. 2020), https://www.house.mn.gov/hrd/pubs/agenvtlaw.pdf.
[22] Sharma, supra note 1, at 14.
[23] Laura Bult & Joss Fong, Who’s really using up the water in the American West?, Vox (Sept. 26, 2022, 4:08 PM), https://www.vox.com/23373495/western-us-water-scarcity-drought-cattle. “The Western united States is currently battling the most severe drought in thousands of years.”
[24] Tucker Larson, Where the Water Goes: Water in Arizona Agriculture, Arizona State University Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems (July 25, 2022), https://sustainability-innovation.asu.edu/food/news/archive/where-the-water-goes-water-in-arizonan-agriculture/#:~:text=In%20Arizona%2C%2074%25%20of%20fresh,is%20used%20for%20agricultural%20purposes.
[25] Public Conservation Resources, Arizona Department of Water Resources (last visited April 27, 2023, 6:00 PM), https://new.azwater.gov/conservation/public-resources#:~:text=Public%20conservation%20resources,most%20of%20this%20is%20residential.
[26] See Elizabeth Heilman, Opinion: Regenerative Agriculture Can Save the Southwest, Austin Chronicle (Dec. 2, 2022), https://www.austinchronicle.com/columns/2022-12-02/opinion-regenerative-agriculture-can-save-the-southwest/. “Increasing soil organic matter by just 1% adds 25,000 gallons of water-holding capacity to an acre.”
[27] See About, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co., https://www.azwbeer.com/about. Most of Arizona Wilderness’ ingredients come from businesses located in Arizona. For an exhaustive list of their partners, visit their website in the link provided.
[28] See Sinagua Malt, https://sinaguamalt.com/. This program is not regenerative entirely, but is considered a “water conservation program.”
[29] See supra note 27.
[30] See Ian James, Dry wells, lower flows raise alarm about the Verde River’s future – Conservationists warn that unchecked groundwater pumping threatens to dry up stretches of the Verde River, azcentral (Sept. 6, 2021, 6:00 PM), https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-environment/2021/09/06/groundwater-pumping-verde-river-risk-arizona/7695748002/. See also Michael Combrink, Low Flows: How to Solve the Crisis Facing Arizona’s Rivers, Arizona Journal of Environmental Law & Policy (Sept. 5, 2022), https://ajelp.com/blog/low-flows-how-to-solve-the-crisis-facing-arizonas-rivers.
[31] Telephone Interview with Jon Buford, Founder, Arizona Wilderness (Aug. 26, 2022).
[32] Id.
[33] Why Regenerative Agriculture, Regenerate America, https://regenerateamerica.com/why/.
[34] Supra note 31.
[35] Telephone Interview with Erich Schultz, Founder and Farmer, Steadfast Farm (Aug. 26, 2022).
[36] See Trulia, Why You Should Move Into An “Agrihood,” Forbes (Nov. 8, 2016, 11:00 AM), https://www.forbes.com/sites/trulia/2016/11/08/why-you-should-move-into-an-agrihood/?sh=243b37cb4672.
[37]Id.
[38] Supra note 35.
[39] Id.
[40] Id.
[41] Arohi Sharma, et. al., Regenerative Agriculture Part 4: The Benefits, Natural Resources Development Council (Feb. 14, 2021), https://www.nrdc.org/bio/arohi-sharma/regenerative-agriculture-part-4-benefits#:~:text=Economic%20Benefits&text=Cost%2Dsavings%20from%20reduced%20use,some%20financial%20values%20and%20practices.
[42] Supra note 35.
[43] Supra note 35.
[44] See Factory Farming: What it is and Why it’s a Problem, The Humane League (last updated Nov. 10, 2022), https://thehumaneleague.org/article/what-is-factory-farming.
[45] See Allison Johnson, Organic Farming Keeps Toxic Pesticides Off Our Plates, Natural Resources Defense Council (May 22, 2019), https://www.nrdc.org/bio/allison-johnson/organic-farming-keeps-toxic-pesticides-our-plates.