What Are the Social Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture?

Humans may engage in an ongoing technological race, but their gadgets have begun to teach them that there are good reasons for doing things the old-fashioned way. Regenerative agriculture uses many methods employed by early farmers. It has many benefits — including social ones.

While it may seem odd to link farming with social needs, reflecting on the interdependence of all things reveals their intricate connection. Many of the same activities that benefit the planet also improve human health in all its aspects — including the mental, emotional, interpersonal and spiritual, not simply physical. What are the social benefits of regenerative agriculture? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is Regenerative Agriculture?

For years, humans thought in linear form. They’re now mass awakening to the reality that we live on a round planet with finite resources. In order to preserve these gifts for future generations, we need to think, well, more like Mother Earth — in a circle instead of a line.

Regenerative agriculture narrows this bigger circle to the smaller farming one, reflecting on how all aspects of the growth cycle connect through an intricate web, with today’s growth practices nourishing tomorrow’s soil, which goes on to support the next generation of crops. It’a a holistic, dynamic approach that marries several factors related to a healthy people and planet:

• Maintaining soil and ecosystem health

• Addressing systemic inequities that increase human suffering

• Preserving the climate, lands and waters for future generations

Regenerative agriculture honors the life cycle that all organisms share, including humans. It’s also crucial for them to master for their continued survival. Experts estimate that over 400 million acres of farmland will pass from one generation of ownership to the next within the next decade alone. Teaching young people these techniques is essential so that they can carry on the legacy, passing it to their children — preserving knowledge and resources.

The Health Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture

Fortunately, it isn’t only the planet that improves from regenerative agriculture. Humans, too, benefit from this methodology. Sometimes, the perks occur concurrently. For example, consider the following practices:

• Planting trees in agricultural fields improves soil quality, provides shade for grazing animals and prevents pollution runoff, increasing human food’s nutritional quality and decreasing chemical contaminants.

• Fencing waterways protect aquatic ecosystems while keeping the water humans drink cleaner.

• Cover crops prevent soil erosion and absorb more carbon dioxide than bare soil, making the air cleaner to breathe.

Regenerative agriculture still uses heavy equipment to do some jobs, although it seeks to reduce reliance on synthetic outputs as much as possible. Instead, it emphasizes the human element. People crave meaningful work like toiling in the good earth, and getting outside in the fresh air provides them with oodles of health perks, like:

• Boosting immunity

• Replenishing vitamin D levels

• Improving salud mental

• Sharpening vision

What Are the Social Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture?

Human health encompasses many things, including their relaciones with others. While people can live for a short time alone, they’re designed to rely on one another, which is one reason why regenerative agriculture offers impressive social benefits.

Regenerative agriculture requires people to work together across all sectors of food production, forming relationships instead of relying on machines and chemicals to do the job. This shared responsibility for feeding people creates a sense of camaraderie, mutual support and oneness that destroys isolation and loneliness. Studies show that feeling lonely leads to poorer health outcomes regardless of the underlying illness.

Participating in regenerative agriculture can also improve your mental health. For example, research indicates that gardening imparts the following benefits, even if you stick to containers in your downtown studio apartment:

• Letting go of perfectionism

• Experiencing positive rewards and building agency

• Meeting new people and overcoming social anxiety

• Easing stress

• Practicing radical acceptance

Regenerative agriculture can bring neighborhoods together. For example, are you and others concerned about urban food islands when disasters strike? The pandemic showed how supply chain issues can lead to shortages. However, you could form a community garden coalition and start such a resource as a buffer against future disasters.

6 Ways You Can Practice Regenerative Agriculture

How can you start reaping the benefits of regenerative agriculture today? Here are six practices to consider at Inicio or in your community.

1. Adopt Conservation Tillage Practices

No-till and strip, ridge and mulch till systems reduce soil erosion. Additionally, they leave up to 30% of growth residue on the ground to help sequester carbon and lower global temperatures. The basic idea is to disturb the soil as little as possible during planting and sowing.

2. Get Involved in a Community Garden

If your community has this resource already, reach out to the primary contact person and ask how you can get involved. What if you lack one? Why not start a community garden? You can involve civic groups like the Rotary Club or raise interest through petitions and forming a committee to identify a suitable plot.

3. Plant a Tree

Regenerative agriculture advocates planting trees in pasturelands and along streams to preserve soil quality. These also sequester carbon and lower temperatures immediately when you sit beneath their shade. Plant plenty on your property and advocate for community plantings.

4. Avoid Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides

Artificial substances impact soil composition and disturb ecosystems. Use natural replacements whenever possible — more on that next.

5. Compost

How can you enrich your soil without plant food or fertilizers? Compost. It’s also one of the best methods of fighting climate change. Why?

When organic matter decays in landfills, the anaerobic conditions there create methane, a greenhouse gas heavier than carbon. However, doing it at home in the presence of oxygen makes your used paper towels and food scraps break down into a rich loam that plants love.

6. Use Natural Pest Control

Pesticides can erode soil quality and poison waterways. Instead, consider natural methods, including:

• Companion planting

• Diatomaceous earth

• Coffee grounds

• Neem oil

• Ladybugs

• Fences and barriers

The Many Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative agriculture has multiple perks for the health of people and the planet. It features back-to-basics methods improved through science intended to combat climate change and preserve natural resources for current generations.

Fortunately, what’s good for the planet helps people in surprising ways, too. You now know the social benefits of regenerative agriculture and how it can improve your mental health — use these ideals to nurture the earth and yourself.