Certification for Regenerative Organic Farming Must Begin on the Farm

Key Takeaways

Ben Palen, a fifth-generation farmer, highlights the evolving practices and benefits of regenerative agriculture.
Collaboration among farmers, companies, and consumers is essential for meaningful sustainable progress.
Current regenerative practices lack standardization, making tailored approaches necessary based on regional conditions.

Evolution of Regenerative Agriculture

Ben Palen, principal at Ag Management Partners and a fifth-generation farmer, shares insights from his farm’s journey toward regenerative-organic practices. Operating several thousand acres across Kansas and Colorado, Palen emphasizes the potential benefits of measuring progress on the farm for growers and food corporations.

With a 40-year commitment to no-till farming and various organic initiatives, Palen notes the growing discourse surrounding “sustainability” and “regenerative practices.” However, he expresses concern about greenwashing, where companies’ actions do not align with their sustainable claims. Despite setbacks from the previous administration’s cuts to climate programs, credible efforts in regenerative-organic practices, particularly through entities like the Rodale Institute and Regenified, show promise.

Palen’s farm has inadvertently practiced regenerative techniques for years, transitioning from traditional wheat/fallow rotations with considerable tillage to diversified crop rotations with minimal tillage. This evolution significantly reduced carbon emissions, improved soil organic matter, and enhanced carbon sequestration.

Palen mentions the variability in regenerative practices due to geographical differences, indicating that there are currently no strict standards for evaluating regenerative or organic certification. He elaborates on tailored methods, such as appropriate crop rotations and cautious fertilizer application, aligning agricultural practices with environmental goals.

This year, his certification process with Regenified yielded a slight premium on organic wheat, which he expects will grow as results become evident. Notably, their wheat has a carbon footprint one-third lower than average for the area, attracting investor interest focused on enhancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) profiles.

Palen asserts that transitioning to regenerative agriculture is not a quick financial gain strategy. It requires a vision that adapts to the realities of current agricultural and political climates. He acknowledges the evolving standards for measuring regenerative practices, suggesting benchmarks like a 20% reduction in fertilizer usage or increasing soil organic matter and carbon sequestration over time.

He calls for grain-buying companies to support farmers actively and align their purchasing decisions with measurable farm-level progress. By investing in credible regenerative practices and establishing realistic goals, these companies can effectively engage consumers and enhance the credibility of sustainable agriculture.

Palen concludes with an optimistic view of the collaboration opportunities in the regenerative agriculture space, aimed at creating a win-win for growers and consumers, while creating tangible benefits beyond carbon credits.

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