Glossary · Farming

Regenerative Agriculture

A set of farming practices aimed at improving soil health and ecosystem function — including cover cropping, no-till, rotational grazing, and diverse planting.

Regenerative agriculture is a practice framework (not a legally defined certification) focused on farming in ways that build soil carbon, biodiversity, and watershed health over time. Common techniques include cover cropping, reduced tillage, diverse crop rotations, integration of livestock with crops, and minimizing synthetic inputs.

Unlike organic — which is defined by what farmers don't do (no synthetics) — regenerative is defined by outcomes: soil health, carbon sequestration, ecosystem function. Several certification programs exist (Regenerative Organic Certified, Savory Institute's EOV) but the label is more often used informally.

Related Terms

Cover Crop

A crop planted to cover soil (rather than to harvest) — improves soil health, prevents erosion, adds nitrogen, and suppresses weeds between cash-crop seasons.

Biodynamic Farming

A holistic farming philosophy pre-dating organic certification that treats the farm as a self-contained ecosystem; includes specific seasonal practices and certification via Demeter.

USDA Organic

A federal certification standard that farms can earn after a transition period and annual audit; regulates use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, GMOs, and certain other inputs.

Grass-Fed

A claim that ruminant animals (usually cattle) were fed grass and forage rather than grain; can be partial ("grass-fed, grain-finished") or total ("100% grass-fed").

Further Reading

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