California just expanded its agricultural dictionary to include…”regenerative agriculture.”
The rundown: The California State Board of Food and Agriculture released its proposed definition of regenerative ag, and recommended it to California’s Department of Food and Agriculture (CFDA).
The purpose is to implement regen ag into policy rather than leaving it as a buzzword. State agencies, boards, and commissions can use the definition to inform policies and programs.
What it is… and not: The CDFA’s definition says regenerative agriculture “is not an endpoint, but a continuous implementation of practices that over time minimize inputs and environmental impacts and further enhances the ecosystem while maintaining or improving productivity, economic contributions, and community benefits.”
Despite the clarification, it cannot be attached to organic certifications. They want to keep the “regen” definition—and the associated benefits, like potential grants—open to all types of farmers and ranchers.
The target outcomes of the definition are to promote soil health, increase statewide conservation practices that boost carbon sequestration, protect animal welfare, and more.
Fluff or functional? California’s hunt for a definition has been a hot topic for the state’s growers over the past few years. Retailers and large farmers also don’t want the definition to be too vague and risk losing its meaning to change agricultural practices.
Some producers also don’t want it to just become a marketing ploy.
While some groups applauded the definition’s release, the California Farm Bureau warned the CDFA to not instill it in state policies. Doing so could throw into question the flows of interstate commerce.