Regenerative Agric -- let's push for new level over organic!

I believe Permaculture should give a enthusiastic nod to Regenerative Ag. Cuz it doesn't seem to me like Organic makes the Permy cut now, does it? When we consider the parameters within which soil regenerates (seems would be the basis for Regenerative Agric.) don't organic practices fall short, as I've seen so much monoculting (rows of same ol', same ol'...). A new Regenerative level of organics anyway should accompany the Green Collar job shift that would come with a Green New Deal, another thing I'd think we'd be hot onto pushin' for so there'll be a tomorrow! ! & ?,  OgreNick

Lots of people are doing Regenerative Agriculture now, Mark Shepard even has a book on the subject.

Organic is a term for farming and it falls short of the original goal because of how it was implemented by the USDA.

I think it's an interesting question, and I'm curious what you're actually asking. Are you wanting there to be a regulated 'Regenerative Organic' labeling and marketing program just like there is with USDA Organic that is maybe added on with the the existing NOP (National Organic Program), or is maybe completely separate from the NOP?

Just like Bryant said there are plenty of people out there who are calling their practices regenerative or whatever they want and that's fine. There are plenty of people calling their practices organic who are not certified so they can't use the USDA seal to sell their products. People who pay for organic certification get a significant premium on the price of their crops so there is a huge economic incentive that has been driving most farmers who transition to organic (I'm not really talking about someone growing veggies for their farmer's market, rather commodity row crops). If a similar premium starts to be assigned to products being marketed as regenerative due to consumer demand, and I'd have to assume it would be an even higher premium than organic, then people will start using that label regardless of what their actual farming practices are unless it is a regulated process. There are countless labels that you see on everyday products that are voluntary 3rd party certifications with no regulations behind them other than the reputation of the company giving out that label.

I guess my point is where do you want your regulations coming from and why? We can all buy from neighbors we trust and grow our own etc. which sounds great to me, but there are millions of people who can't/won't/don't do that and will trust someone else to verify their sources. Fraud is much more tempting when there are no consequences. Even though organic isn't what everyone dreamed it would be prior to the NOP I believe it is responsible for millions of acres of farm land that would otherwise be growing GMO crops soaked in glycosphate. Certainly not perfect, but much preferable to the alternative.

-WY

So it boils down to marketing. For most consumers the difference between Regenerative and organic farming is meaningless. I can understand not wanting to feed my kids poison. Paying extra for apricots because they had chives growing under them is confusing. Maybe I’m missing the point.