Understanding Regenerative Farming Certifications

What Are Regenerative Farming Certifications?

As regenerative agriculture gains traction, certifications help consumers identify products grown using sustainable and ethical farming practices. These certifications provide transparency and encourage farmers to adopt methods that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and human health benefits. However, the plethora of options can be confusing. This guide introduces three major certifications: Demeter Certified Biodynamic, Land to Market, and Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC).

You can also find tips on where to buy regenerative and biodynamic products on our WTH Do I Eat Now? page.

Key Certifications Explained

Demeter Certified Biodynamic

  • Overview: Developed by the Demeter Association, this pioneering certification focuses on farms as self-sustaining ecosystems, building on USDA Organic standards and emphasizing holistic and interconnected farming practices.
  • Certification Process:
    • Farms must comply with USDA Organic standards and then follow Biodynamic practices for at least one year if organic, or three years if conventional.
    • Annual inspections verify compliance with the Demeter Dynamic Farm Standard.
    • Certification involves residue testing for prohibited substances and GMO contamination.
  • Measures:
    • Requires at least 10% of farm acreage to be a biodiversity preserve.
    • Prohibits synthetic chemicals and emphasizes natural farm inputs like compost and manure.
    • Includes eight unique Biodynamic preparations to enhance soil and crop vitality.

Land to Market

  • Overview: Created by the Savory Institute, Land to Market is the first outcomes-based certification focused on improving soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience. Specifically for livestock products like meat, dairy, wool, and leather.
  • Certification Process:
    • Establishes region-specific benchmarks for soil health and ecosystem conditions to ensure evaluations are tailored to local environments.
    • Short-term (annual) and long-term (five-year interval) monitoring of key ecological indicators like soil health and biodiversity.
    • Verification is granted based on positive trends in these indicators.
                        • Regional Hubs provide farmers continual learning and support.
  • Measures:
    • Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) guiding pillars include being outcomes-based, contextually relevant, and farmer first.
    • Focuses on indicators such as canopy cover, soil health, species richness, and water infiltration.
    • Short-term monitoring tracks above-ground indicators, while long-term monitoring detects structural changes and ecosystem functionality.
    • Ecological Health Index (EHI) score aggregates short- and long-term monitoring results.

Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC)

  • Overview: Founded by the Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’s, and Patagonia, ROC builds on USDA Organic standards with stricter requirements for soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. Certifies a range of products including food, textiles, and personal care items through a tiered system (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
  • Certification Process:
    • Farms must already hold or work towards USDA Organic certification.
    • ROC level is determined by the percentage of land or revenue following ROC practices, with annual audits and soil testing every three years. 
    • Progression through certification tiers is required over time.
  • Measures:
    • Practices include cover cropping, pasture grazing, composting, and a ban on persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
    • Animal welfare aligns with the “five freedoms” principles, which include proper nutrition, comfort, health, safety, and the ability to exhibit natural behaviors.
    • Social fairness includes equitable economic conditions for farmers and workers.

Why Certifications Matter

Regenerative farming certifications play a vital role in fostering trust and accountability. For consumers, they provide assurance that their purchases align with values like environmental stewardship and ethical labor practices. For farmers, these certifications offer a pathway to market differentiation and access to premium pricing.

Conclusion

Understanding regenerative farming certifications empowers consumers to make informed choices that align with their values. Whether you prioritize ecological health, ethical animal treatment, or holistic farming, certifications like Demeter Certified Biodynamic, Land to Market, and Regenerative Organic Certified provide a roadmap to sustainable food systems. By choosing certified products, you contribute to a movement that benefits both people and the planet.

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