What is Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative agriculture is more than just a set of farming techniques—it’s a movement aimed at restoring and preserving the health of our soil and ecosystems. Unlike conventional farming, which often degrades the land, regenerative agriculture seeks to work with nature rather than against it. This holistic approach is built on key principles designed to keep soil healthy and vibrant, allowing farmers to produce food while preserving the land for future generations.
Each soil landscape is a unique ecosystem, and therefore, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions in regenerative agriculture. Instead, farmers follow several guiding principles that prioritize the health of the soil. Generally speaking, three main practices help support regenerative efforts:
- Minimize Soil Disturbance: Avoiding tilling or over-ploughing keeps soil structure intact, preserving the natural microbial life that plays a critical role in nutrient cycling.
- Increase Biodiversity: Maintaining a diverse set of plants on the farm, rather than relying on monocultures, helps support ecosystem resilience and reduces pests and diseases.
- Keep Soil Covered: Covering the soil year-round with crops, plants, or trees protects it from erosion, conserves moisture, and encourages healthy soil life.
Despite the growing interest in regenerative agriculture, farmers face significant challenges in shifting away from conventional methods. The industrial food system, with its entrenched financial and political structures, makes it difficult for many farmers—especially smallholder farmers in the Global South—to make the transition. These farmers are among the biggest victims of our current, degenerative system. Therefore, making regenerative agriculture mainstream is not only about sustainable farming—it’s also a matter of climate justice.
How Ecosia Supports Regenerative Agriculture
At Ecosia, we believe in the potential of regenerative agriculture to reshape our food systems and curb climate change. That’s why many of our tree-planting projects are designed to support regenerative practices. Trees and reforestation, when combined with sustainable agriculture, can play a crucial role in capturing CO2 and revitalizing the environment.
This year, we launched the second edition of a competition fund to support farmers in Europe who want to transition to regenerative farming or start a new regenerative project from scratch. By providing funding and support, we aim to inspire and enable more farmers to adopt regenerative practices, thereby contributing to a healthier planet.
But we know this is not enough. A systemic shift in our food systems requires collective action. From making informed choices about where we buy our food to reducing waste and advocating for better policies, everyone has a role to play in making regenerative agriculture a reality.
Curious to learn more about how regenerative agriculture can help tackle climate change? Watch our video for more insights and learn how you can help get the movement rolling.
Acknowledgments
A big thank you to Benedikt Bösel (Gut&Bösel), Christina Chemnitz (Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e.V.), and Paul Wöbkenberg (Ecosia) for their invaluable insights. We’re also grateful to Ackerpulco, Finck Photography, and Benedikt Bösel for the video footage, including stunning drone shots that capture the beauty of regenerative landscapes.