Alliance Says ‘Regenerative Organic’ Is About More Than Just Food
To better understand a promising new development in the certification of organic products, it's good to take a quick look at how the familiar term “certified organic” came into being.
In 1924, Austrian Rudolf Steiner introduced a system called biodynamic farming, which has been called a precursor to organic farming.
The germ of the idea of certified organic farming was born in the 1900s by a British lord who studied farming techniques in India, including composting and natural ways to defeat weeds and pests.
Sir Albert Howard’s organic concepts took shape in the United States in the 1940s through the work of the J.I. Rodale family, and by the early 2000s, the US offered a federal organic certification to identify products that met strict organic standards.
In 2017, a group of reformers—including Rodale Institute—joined forces to accelerate trends toward organic farming. With the mantra “farm like the world depends on it,” the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) is expanding “best practices” in farming to address climate crisis issues, such as soil degradation, biodiversity loss, factory farming, and fractured rural economies.
The Need for Action
Led by Rodale Institute and spearheaded by Dr. Bronner’s and Patagonia, the ROA’s founding members include Compassion in World Farming, Fair World Project, White Oak Pastures, Textile Exchange, and Black Horse Vineyards. The combined leadership of ROA represents deep expertise in farming, ranching, soil health, animal welfare, and farmer and worker fairness.
The need for action is clear. One 2020 study found more than 90% of the world’s conventionally farmed soils were thinning, and 16% had lifespans of less than a century. Soil degradation can cause soil to lose its fertility, productivity, and biodiversity, leading to further issues like flooding and water contamination.
In 2017, the ROA established the trademarked Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) as a holistic “gold standard” for regenerative practices. Two years later, in 2019, ROA ran a pilot program with 19 farms and brands producing commodities such as dairy, mangoes, and cereal grains, in places ranging from Nebraska to Nicaragua.
[Regenerative Organic Certified] (ROC) is awarded to those who meet standards in environmental protection, animal welfare, and fair trade.
ROC is awarded to those who meet standards in environmental protection, animal welfare, and fair trade. According to its founders, it represents the highest standard for organic agriculture in the world.
“It goes beyond standard organic certification by prioritizing soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness, creating a more holistic and comprehensive approach to agriculture,” says Haley Tardiff, communications coordinator at the ROA.
To date, 315 farms and ranches are ROC-approved, along with 63,331 smallholder farmers. That is more than 18 million acres. More than 2,000 products have the ROC mark, along with 237 brands.
Starting from the Ground Up
When it comes to taking a holistic approach to organic production, it all begins—quite literally—at ground level.
Depleted soils endanger the complex balance of natural systems, threatening everything from the productivity of cropland to the availability of foods and materials used for clothing, building, and more.
But regenerative practices prioritize building healthy soil by focusing on increasing soil organic matter—derived from plant and animal material—to create a thriving microbial community. In practical terms, this can include no-till farming—a method of growing crops without disturbing the soil with cultivation machinery—cover cropping, and crop rotations to support a wide range of beneficial microorganisms.
Regenerative agriculture also promotes diversification of plant communities, crop rotations, and intercropping. These tactics enhance soil health, improve nutrient cycling, and provide habitats for beneficial insects and pollinators.
And in many regenerative systems, livestock play a vital role. Rotational grazing, integrating livestock with crops, and using manure as fertilizer can improve soil health, nutrient cycling, and weed control, while improving the wellbeing of cattle and other farm animals.
Protecting Workers and Communities
“Regenerative agriculture also acknowledges the importance of fair labor practices and the social well-being of farm workers,” Tardiff says. “This includes ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions, and community engagement to support local economies and build a resilient and equitable food system.”
“In essence,” she adds, “regenerative agriculture views the farm as a complex, interconnected system where every element plays a crucial role in its overall health and productivity.”
Going Beyond Organic
Other forms of certification already exist, such as US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic—a term for food and agricultural products that meet the USDA's organic regulations.
But Tardiff explains that ROC goes further.
“While USDA Certified Organic is a rigorous standard, ROC recognized a need for a certification that further emphasized soil health, animal welfare, and the treatment of farmers and farmworkers, aspects not fully addressed by the organic label alone,” she says.
And it is not just producers and the soil itself that benefit from these types of practices, but according to ROA—the consumer does too.
“These products are cultivated using methods that enhance soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, resulting in nutrient-dense foods.”
“These products are cultivated using methods that enhance soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, resulting in nutrient-dense foods,” Tardiff says.
“Additionally, consumers benefit from the positive environmental impact of regenerative practices, which contribute to carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration. By choosing these products, consumers not only prioritize their health but also support a more resilient agricultural system that aligns with ethical and ecological values.”
A California wine company, O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, has sought ROC status. It conducted a trial where 43 acres were converted to regenerative organic. They saw increased soil health and slightly higher yields too.
In Peru, sustainable clothing brand Outerknown says pursuing ROC-recognized practices helped foster a stronger sense of community, giving producers a unified voice. Their programs have also supported local activities, including holiday breakfasts for children and improvements to nurseries.
How to Achieve ROC Status
To achieve ROC status, an operation must first be USDA Organic certified (or equivalent) and meet specific requirements across three pillars: soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness.
Soil Health: This pillar focuses on practices like cover cropping, crop rotation, no-till farming, and composting. It aims to improve soil fertility, increase biodiversity, and enhance carbon sequestration. Soil-less systems (such as hydroponics) are not eligible for ROC certification.
Animal Welfare: Animal welfare means using practices that promote health, reduce stress, and provide animals with access to pasture and natural environments. It protects the “Five Freedoms,” requires animals to be grass-fed and have suitable shelters, and avoid extensive transport and concentrated animal-feeding operations (CAFOs).
Social Fairness: This pillar addresses workplace conditions, including the treatment of workers and farmers, fair wages, safe working conditions, and equitable practices throughout the supply chain.
There are also three certification levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each level requires meeting progressively more stringent requirements across the three pillars.
Supply chain traceability is also a factor. Certification requires robust supply chain traceability to ensure that ingredients and materials originate from certified sources.
Looking Toward the Future
Tardiff says the regenerative movement, particularly in agriculture, has experienced significant growth.
“Farmers are increasingly adopting regenerative agriculture practices due to a combination of environmental, economic, and social benefits.”
“Farmers are increasingly adopting regenerative agriculture practices due to a combination of environmental, economic, and social benefits that these practices offer, particularly in the face of climate change and increasing consumer demand for sustainable food production,” she says.
Regenerative practices can lead to long-term cost savings through reduced input costs, increased yields, and improved soil health, she adds. They can also open new revenue streams for farmers through carbon credits, premium pricing for sustainable products, and access to new markets.
Looking to the future, ROA said its goals are to advance awareness around regenerative organic agriculture and its benefits.
“On the farm level, we hope to inspire the transition of organic to regenerative organic practices as well as create a pathway for conventional farmers to adopt regenerative practices that will guide them towards organic and ultimately regenerative organic,” Tardiff says.
*Mark Smith is a journalist and author from the UK. He has written on subjects ranging from business and technology to world affairs, history, and popular culture for the Guardian, BBC, Telegraph, and magazines in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
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