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INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 2

WHAT IS REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE? .......................................................................................... 3

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE ................................................................................. 4

HOW REGENERATIVE FARMING WORKS.................................................................................................. 5

BENEFITS OF REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE ..................................................................................... 5

REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE IS MORE ECONOMICAL IN THE LONG RUN ....................................................... 6

REGENERATIVE FARMING HELPS PREVENT CLIMATE CHANGE ...................................................................... 6

PUTTING AN END TO THE TOXIC AND UNSUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM ............................................ 7

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT REGENERATIVE FARMING .................................................................................. 7

HOW TO APPLY REGENERATIVE PRACTICES IN YOUR OWN GARDEN .............................................................. 7

STAND UP FOR REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE .................................................................................. 9

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The agricultural principles in America have undergone significant changes over the past

decades. Organic and sustainable farming, which is how we’re supposed to grow our food, has

been labeled as inefficient and insufficient. People have been led to believe that industrial

farming is the only way to feed the skyrocketing population.

Farmers turned to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to “improve” the quantity and

quality of their crops. Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), where thousands of

animals are housed in constricted quarters, have also became the norm. GMOs and CAFOs

make livestock and crops cheaper, while giving farmers higher profits, but at what cost?

Widespread pollution, drug-resistant diseases, nutrient deficiencies and animal cruelty — these

are just some of the costs associated with cheap and low-quality meat and crops. In fact,

numerous studies have shown that GMOs and CAFOs are not the beneficial solutions that

they’re played out to be.

GMOs are plants, animals and other organisms whose genetic makeup has been artificially

modified in a laboratory setting by means of genetic engineering. As a result, unstable

combinations of different organisms are produced in order to create “beneficial” and “unique”

characteristics that are impossible to create with traditional crossbreeding methods.

GMO technology is commonly used in the agricultural sector, where crops are modified to

become resistant to pesticides and/or herbicides, promoting the use of these toxic chemicals

on foods. Some even have the ability to produce pesticides within their own tissues. These

pesticide-producing crops are surely the last thing that you’d want to put in your body if you’re

concerned about your health.

To make matters worse, big industrial agriculture companies have also developed large-scale

facilities called CAFOs, where good animal welfare is virtually non-existent. Thousands of

animals in these facilities are confined in small cages, fed with grain-based, genetically modified

food, given antibiotics to ward off diseases and are supplemented with hormones to maximize

growth within a short period of time.

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While these agricultural methods may seem profitable for some, they actually have a

detrimental impact on the environment, public health and local communities.

GMOs promote single-crop farms, which rely heavily on pesticides and deplete nutrients from

the soil. CAFOs, on the other hand, cause antibiotic-resistant diseases and promote animal

abuse. Waste from these facilities also pollutes the water, land and air, affecting the health of

nearby communities.

It’s not too late to save the environment against damage and end the health risks posed by

industrial agriculture. You can jumpstart your journey to better health by making the right food

choices and embracing or supporting sustainable farming practices.

Regenerative agriculture can be the solution to the deteriorating state of the environment, and

the good news is that you can take part in restoring this ecological balance. This guide can help

you understand the basics of regenerative agriculture and provide you with simple techniques

to support and apply its principles in your own way.

Today, more and more people are becoming aware of the potential health hazards caused by

industrial agriculture, thanks to the mounting research that continues to reveal the inherent

flaws of this unsustainable system.

Fortunately, scientists, farmers and industry experts have found a solution that can address the

problems brought by industrial farming, and that is through regenerative agriculture.

Regenerative agriculture is a farming approach that is centered on a series of practices and

principles, which are not only designed to prevent further damage to the environment and

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human health, but also aimed to restore the fertility of soils, enhance biodiversity, improve

watersheds and enrich the entire ecosystem.1

There is no single set of farming techniques for regenerative agriculture, since the methods

may differ for every climate and bioregion.2 However, the practices involved in this holistic

farming approach are guided by several principles, which include:

Minimal soil disturbance: Regenerative agriculture aims to eliminate, or at least

minimize, soil disturbance by adopting no-tillage farming method. Considered one of

the most destructive industrial agriculture practices, tillage involves turning over and

breaking up the soil in preparation for planting new seeds.

Tilling kills off the living organisms that naturally fertilize and aerate the soil — this

includes earthworms and fungi. It also increases weed emergence, worsens soil erosion

and contributes to carbon loss.3 As a result, tilled lands eventually become uncultivable,

requiring the use of harmful fertilizers and pesticides just to become useful for farming.

Plant diversity and rotation: Regenerative farming discourages monoculture, which is

the practice of planting one type of crop over a particular field year after year.

Monoculture fields are eventually depleted of nutrients and microorganisms. They’re

also more susceptible to pest infestations. As a result, large quantities of fertilizers and

pesticides must be used.

To quell the use of harmful chemicals, it’s important to plant a variety of crops

rotationally. This method helps increase the biodiversity of microorganisms in the soil,

therefore improving its nutrient content.4,5

Multispecies cover-cropping: Planting different species of cover crops can help enrich

the soil in more ways than one. One of the benefits is the reduced risk of erosion, as the

cover crops protect the topsoil against weather elements.6

Their roots also improve the soil structure and nutrient content by allowing better

moisture retention and aeration. Cover crops support carbon retention too, since they

help pull down and trap carbon in the soil.

Livestock integration and diversification: Raising a variety of free-range animals, such

as cattle, goats, pigs, chickens and ducks, may give rise to a symbiotic relationship

between different species. This leads to reduced pest infestations and higher amount of

organic matter in the soil, eliminating the need for harmful pesticides and/or fertilizers.

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Everything in nature is basically connected to each other. Soil supports life by serving as a

medium in which plants can grow, and providing a habitat for insects, animals and

microorganisms.7 Meanwhile, animals, microorganisms and plants help maintain soil structure

and replenish its nutrients.8,9 This symbiotic system is essential to keep things growing in a

healthy way.

The practices of regenerative agriculture seek to work with nature instead of dominating it in

order to sustain the mutually beneficial relationship between different organisms. Unlike

industrial farming, which separates livestock from crops through CAFOs, regenerative

agriculture allows farm animals to express their instinctive behavior.

As animals freely roam and graze on pastures, their urine and manure are distributed across the

fields, providing valuable nourishment for the microbes in the soil. Their hooves also help break

up hardened soil surfaces, resulting in better water retention. Since the soil is nourished and

broken up naturally, inorganic fertilizers, tilling and other external inputs are no longer

necessary.

As the quality of the soil improves, so does its ability to provide healthier food. Regenerative

agriculture also helps address the other problems caused by industrial farming, including

polluted air and water and reduced population of bees, butterflies and other wildlife.

The benefits of regenerative agriculture go beyond repairing the soils. This farming approach

also provides a wide variety of benefits to the whole ecosystem, animal welfare, food and

human health. Some of its well-known positive effects include:10

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Healthier and higher-quality crops and

livestock Reduced risk of drug-resistant diseases

Better diversity of plant species Improved wildlife populations, including

deer, ground-nesting birds and wild turkeys

Improved population of pollinator insects

and other organisms, including bees,

earthworms and dung beetles

Reduced land, air and water pollution

Its potential to mitigate or even reverse climate change is also a benefit that a lot of

researchers have looked into. What’s more, regenerative agriculture provides financial benefits

despite the common misconception that it’s not as profitable as industrial farming.

It’s no secret that the industrial agriculture system is consuming natural resources at an

unsustainable rate. As pastures gradually lose nutrients and become more susceptible to pest

infestations, heavier use of costly chemical fertilizers and pesticides become necessary.

Irrigation costs have also increased, as the soil becomes less resistant to drought.

The economic impact of industrial agriculture may even be felt hundreds of miles from

industrialized farms, where fertilizer runoffs contaminate drinking water supplies and fisheries.

According to studies, the cost of fertilizer pollution is already at $157 billion a year.11

Considering the steep hidden cost of industrial farming, there’s no doubt that regenerative

agriculture is much more economical in the long run, as it only utilizes low-cost practices and

does not involve expensive chemicals, which may cause irreversible damage to the

environment.

Researchers and industry experts have confirmed that regenerative farming can help pull back

carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and keep it where it’s most beneficial: in the soil. This

ultimately decreases greenhouse gas emissions, potentially reversing climate change.

In fact, according to a report by Rodale Institute, around 40 percent of the annual greenhouse

emissions may be sequestered if the current croplands shift to regenerative farming. Moreover,

an additional 71 percent may also be sequestered if all global pastures follow the regenerative

principles.12

The Carbon Underground, which uses a different formula and model for computing carbon

sequestration, also reports that up to three billion tons of carbon may be reduced if one billion

hectares of farmland in the United States shifts to regenerative agriculture practices.13

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With the mounting environmental problems that continue to threaten the health and security

of humanity today, putting a stop to unsustainable food and farming systems has become

imperative now more than ever. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to help

save the environment, and the best way to do this is by supporting and/or applying the

principles of regenerative agriculture.

Adopting regenerative farming techniques is not easy. It requires patience, effort and time

before damaged pastures become healthy and profitable once again. What’s worse is that the

government subsidizes the wrong food crops, allocating significant amount of funds to two-

crop cycles of genetically engineered corn and soybeans.

Despite these challenges, there are still farmers who are brave enough to shift to regenerative

agriculture. You can show your support for this sustainable way of farming by sourcing your

foods from local farms that comply with the principles of regenerative agriculture. You should

also avoid any product that comes from CAFOs — look for grass fed livestock and dairy products

instead.

Doing this not only supports small farms, but also helps you ensure that you’re eating only

nutritious foods that are free of harmful chemicals. You may also join a community supported

agriculture (CSA) program so you can easily buy your share of crops from a local farm and

receive a weekly delivery of farm-fresh foods during the growing season.

To further encourage other farmers to follow the principles of regenerative agriculture, you

may also support policies that are in favor of regenerative farming and vote against policies that

support industrial agriculture.

You can make a difference to the environment by applying the practices of regenerative

agriculture in your own home. Guided by the principles of this sustainable farming approach,

you can grow different types of crops in your own Victory Garden to ensure that you have easy

access to fresh, nutritious and chemical-free foods.

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The concept of the Victory Garden involves planting your choice of vegetables, fruits and herbs

in a small patch of land in your home. It was developed to help people address food shortages

during the World War I and II. Today, Victory Gardens are making a comeback among U.S.

households, as people start to recognize the benefits of growing their own foods.

The first thing that you need to do when growing a Victory Garden is to choose your location

and prepare your soil. Remember not to till the soil, and make sure that you fertilize it with

compost or green tea instead of synthetic chemicals. Once you’ve prepared your soil, choose

different varieties of garden produces that you want to grow to ensure biodiversity and prevent

pests.

Covering the soil with a thick layer of mulch or wood chips is also an important part of the

process, as it enhances water retention and prevents weeds. You may also take your Victory

Garden up a notch by growing pollinator-friendly plants to provide pollinating insects, such as

bees and butterflies, with a habitat. Here are a few more ingenious tips and tricks to make

gardening easier:

Use coffee filters for transplanting: Coffee filters help keep the soil intact when

transferring a plant from one pot to another.

Use old bottles and jugs as watering equipment: Refill empty glass bottles and place

them upside down on the irrigation spikes of your plants to keep them watered for

days. Old jugs may also be used as a DIY watering can by simply poking holes in its cap.

Create your own trellis using an old umbrella and/or pantyhose: Remove the fabric of

your old umbrella and stake its frame into the soil to create a trellis. An old pantyhose

also makes for a great sling to support heavy crops and keep them from breaking off

their vine prematurely.

Make a vertical planter for small spaces: It’s best to grow your garden vertically if you

have a small space. Place your pots on a ladder, step stool or tiered plant stand to create

a vertical planter.

Use leftover produces as instant compost: If you’re in a hurry to create a proper

compost, you can blend leftover apple cores, fruit peels and coffee grounds to create an

instant compost.

In addition to the gardening hacks mentioned above, make sure that you also keep an eye on

your garden to see if it needs to be watered or if there are weeds and pests that need to be

removed. Dedicating a few minutes of your time to tending your garden is definitely worth it,

with the bountiful harvest that you’ll reap in no time.

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Industrial farms are far from being your only source of food. You have the choice to purchase

and consume healthful products from local farmers who are spearheading the evolution to

regenerative systems. You can also grow your own produces using regenerative practices.

The most important step when it comes to fighting further ecological damage is to stop

supporting industrial agriculture. Making the conscious effort to avoid foods from these

facilities is one of the best way to make your voice heard.

Regenerative agriculture is not a quick-fix for the widespread problems caused by industrial

farming. But with commitment, patience and effort, you can help save the environment by

promoting sustainable farming techniques.

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1 Regenerative Agriculture Definition, Regenerative Agriculture 2 See ref 1 3 SFGate, Tilling vs. Not Tilling Gardens 4 Regenerative, 6 Problems with Monoculture Farming 5 Scitech Outpost, Monoculture Farming – Disadvantages And Negative Effects On The Environment 6 Regenerative, 10 Benefits of Cover Crops 7 The Guardian, We Need Regenerative Farming, Not Geoengineering 8 News Wise, The Importance of Soil-Dwelling Animals 9 Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Why Plants Are Important 10 Patagonia, Regenerative Organics: Drawing a Line in the Soil 11 Union of Concerned Scientists, Subsidizing Waste: How Inefficient US Farm Policy Costs Taxpayers, Businesses and Farmers Billions (2016) 12 Rodale Institute, Regenerative Organic Agriculture and Climate Change 13 The Carbon Underground, A Formula to Reverse Climate Change