Search

The Breadfruit Institute, a program at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaiʻi, is dedicated to conserving, studying, and utilizing breadfruit for food and reforestation purposes. Breadfruit is a versatile fruit that grows on a long-lived tree and provides energy, protein, and essential nutrients. The institute has been working to reintroduce breadfruit through research, propagation, and education, and has distributed over 10,000 trees throughout Hawaii since 2007. Their goal is to promote local food production, improve nutrition, and reduce reliance on imported food. The article also discusses the concept of regenerative agriculture and the challenges faced by breadfruit, such as saltwater intrusion and climate change. Dr. Diane Ragone, the director of the Breadfruit Institute, shares her research and efforts to document and preserve breadfruit varieties. [Extracted from the article]

Concern has been raised about the potential greenwashing/co-optation of regenerative agriculture (RA) due to a lack of consensus on its definition. While the academic literature has cataloged various approaches to defining RA, each definitional approach carries with it a relative concern for its likelihood for co-optation and the potential transformative power it can have within the sector. As the industrial agrifoods sector is taking interest in the field, lessons from the organic movement are worth highlighting. The corporate system has easily integrated the foundational pillar of growing food without chemicals, but left behind the pillars of alternative food distribution, and a focus on whole foods and unprocessed ingredients. Corporate interest in RA could be a major driver for scaled adaptation, yet it may lose its focus on the regeneration of agriculture resources, ecosystems functions, and the social systems required to reproduce the next generation of farmers. The greatest challenge is that the fundamental concern is a philosophical one, which entails a shift in how humans perceive the natural world and their role in it. As RA scales, will it hold to its values and remain obscure, or could its values merge with the predominant industrial system to have significance and affect real change in agriculture? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is facing a severe threat to its sustainability due to the growing demands for food, feed, and other renewable nonfood raw materials in the face of global warming. Regenerative agriculture is increasingly recognized as a vital solution to a range of ecological and social issues. It actively revitalizes ecosystems, focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and mitigating climate change, going beyond sustainable practices. Governments and other organizations at all levels, from global to regional, are exploring how regenerative agriculture can be integrated into climate change initiatives to sustain ecosystem. This powerful benefit can be achieved without reducing yields or farmer profits. Soil, as a living and dynamic environment, is home to a diverse range of micro- and macro biota that contribute to its characteristics. Healthy soil is characterized by favorable physical properties (texture, water-holding capacity), chemical properties (pH, soil organic matter; SOM), and biological properties (microbial diversity, and soil respiration), which are essential for nurturing nutritious and profitable crops and improve human health. Regenerative farming is attracting interest from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to improve soil health and sustain ecology. Several academics and non-governmental organizations have attempted to explain the scope and significance of regenerative agriculture. This review outlines how regenerative agriculture practices can mitigate global warming, improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and its socioecological impacts. For future prospects, further scientific research required to examine the effects of regenerative agriculture on both livestock and human health, in order to promote a healthier community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opportunity of agricultural management practices to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC) is recognized as an important strategy for mitigating climate change. However, there is low confidence when it comes to understanding the magnitude of the climate benefit we can expect from SOC sequestration or how best to achieve it. Several issues are often confounded when it comes to the mitigation potential of SOC sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from agriculture, creating confusion and making it difficult to clearly identify the knowns, unknowns and risks to implementing policy and practice recommendations. Here, we identify and explain four major areas of uncertainty: (1) the expected changes in soil carbon or GHG emissions resulting from agricultural management practice changes; (2) the extent to which social, environmental and economic factors constrain mitigation potential; (3) the ability to execute reliable measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification (MMRV) frameworks; and (4) the perception of risk associated with different ways of promoting practice adoption (e.g., voluntary carbon markets fueled by the private sector, pay-for-practice programs funded by public investment). We aim to pinpoint knowledge gaps and areas of disagreement to help right-size expectations and guide effective investment in GHG removals and reductions from agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture and other land use practices have severely affected the quality of soils and food production systems in South Africa. In addition, these practices significantly contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Soil quality is generally associated with soil organic matter (SOM) along with elemental Carbon (C) and Nitrogen (N). Approximately 58% of South African soils contain <0.5% organic C, 38% contain 0.5–2% organic C, and 4% contain >2% organic C. The extensive aridity and lack of SOM content in South African soils cause them to lack resilience and have a delicate nature compared to soils in temperate regions. In a country where almost 60% of the land is degraded, and 91% is prone to desertification, farming practices require a revised framework for land management. The challenge of producing food on degraded land that is often water-scarce and particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change is a threat to South Africa's food and nutritional security. Therefore, this review aims to equip farmers with knowledge and principles of innovative and sustainable alternatives such as regenerative agriculture that naturally and progressively improves soil quality/fertility and ecosystem health; and reduces GHG emissions through carbon sequestration. Quantitative studies in South Africa show that during 5–90 years of crop cultivation in the Free State province resulted in a 10–73% reduction in C and N relative to natural grasslands. Similar studies reported a 50% reduction in C after 50 years of cultivation on Hutton soil in Pretoria; and a 50% reduction in C after only 3.5 years of cultivation in the Free State. Considering that the world's food systems are responsible for more than a third of anthropogenic GHG emissions, we are convinced that the shifting trend toward regenerative agriculture is a sustainable climate-smart solution for global food production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in Juan Guerra district, province and region of San Martin, Peru; it assessed two treatment sets: (1) nitrogen fertilizer dose (FN75, FN100); (2) green manure Crotalaria juncea (CroJ), Canavalia ensiformis (CanE), and without green manure. It was arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. During the experiment, we observed an important fluctuation in soil parameters. Notably, there was a decrease in soil carbon and nitrogen levels, likely attributed to microorganism metabolism. On the other hand, we observed that CanE significantly reduced the diseased tillers through "White Leaf Virus" (RHBV) by 2.82% compared to the control, and significant panicle fertility was achieved by CroJ (91.88%). No significant differences were obtained in yields during this first campaign; however, the highest reported yield was 8.36 t ha-1 with the CanE - FN100 treatment. Additionally, the nutritional quality of the rice was not affected by either green manuring or the application of chemical nitrogen fertilization. These findings allow deeper studies to consider strategic alternatives to reducing dependency on inorganic fertilizers among the poorest communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agriculture industry is facing a difficult situation as an outcome of mounting food demand, food security, climatical situations, legislative laws, etc. Moreover, the practice of chemical fertilizer in agriculture adds to greenhouse gas emissions and large water consumption. As a result, agricultural systems must be rethought to become more robust and sustainable. Regenerative agriculture, a collection of agricultural methods and techniques that prioritize long-term organic farming, environmental responsibility, and sustainability, is a potential solution to these issues. This review intends to discuss the interplay between regenerative agriculture (RA) and digital agri-technologies to attain sustainability. The significance of RA over conventional agri-technologies, the role of nanobiotechnology, smart sensors, and other fourth Agri-tech 4.0 innovations to augment food production are emphasized. Growing evidence shows that digital technologies (particularly the Internet of Things (IOTs), big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain) would have a greater impact on RA. These practices can have an array of environmental benefits. Precision agri-technologies like internet-of-things (IoTs), cloud computing, blockchain, satellites, drones, use of nanosensors, and remote sensing of fresh produce during the supply chain can augment food production at a commendable rate. Implementation of automated harvesting processes to attain minimum contact harvesting and post-harvest operations are quite useful in increasing food production. Thus, current strategies toward agricultural transformation and novel government policies, toward sustainable regenerative agriculture could be a game-changer in sustainable agriculture. These implications are derived through carefully analysing the published literature we have amassed using various search engines. However, more research is still needed to entirely harness the benefit of progressive technologies, to realize a healthier and further sustainable agriculture future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years regenerative agriculture has attracted growing attention as a means to improve soil health and farmer livelihoods while slowing climate change. With this attention has come increased policy support as well as the launch of private sector programs that promote regenerative agriculture as a form of carbon farming. In the United States many of these programs recruit primarily in regions where large-scale commodity production prevails, such as the Great Plains. There, a decades-old regenerative agriculture movement is growing rapidly, but not due to the incentives offered by companies' carbon programs. On the contrary, farmers are adopting regenerative practices to cut their dependence on corporate agrochemical inputs and expertise, and to thereby achieve technology sovereignty. These practice changes often strain farmers' existing social relationships while drawing them into new and previously neglected ones, including the more-than-human relations necessary for building soil health. These new relationships and the knowledge they generate may in turn lead farmers to think differently about their own autonomy. These findings provide insight into farmers' skepticism of private sector carbon farming programs, and highlight the value of attention to the multiple types of relationship change that accompany and facilitate regenerative transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of conventional farming methods, excessive reliance on fertilizers and inputs, and abrupt shifts in climate have raised significant concerns regarding global agricultural production, particularly in developing countries like Nepal. Agriculture products such as rice hold significant importance in Nepal's agriculture and economy, serving as a staple food and a crucial source of livelihood for its population. Sustainable cultivation and enhancing productivity are imperative for ensuring food security and economic stability in the country. Adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices can minimize detrimental effects, promote sustainability, and enhance resilience towards climate change. We surveyed 200 farmers across four municipalities in the Chitwan District of Nepal to explore the prevalence and socio-economic drivers of the adoption of CSA practices, which include stress-tolerant varieties, efficient water management, and diversified cropping, among others. The results revealed that the adoption of pest-resistant plant varieties was a common CSA practice in the study area. Logistic regression results revealed that the adoption of CSA practices increases with an increase in the education of farmers and membership of climate-related organizations. Similarly, the adoption of CSA practices is negatively associated with an increase in farm size, farmers' farming experience, and their access to credit facilities. Short-term courses and training could be initiated as a complement to formal education to maximize the adoption of CSA practices. Similarly, climate and farmer-related organizations should be further strengthened to maximize their capacity to facilitate more farmers and provide need-based, timely information flow. This study highlights the potential of CSA to promote sustainability and enhance resilience to climate change, but also identifies barriers such as credit access and the need for tailored policy interventions. Our findings contribute to understanding the dynamics of CSA adoption in vulnerable agricultural settings and can guide future strategies to promote sustainability and climate resilience in smallholder farming communities in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regenerative agriculture aims to utilise more diverse pasture species and enhance animal performance through sustainable soil management and pasture quality. This study evaluated the influence of regenerative and conventional farming on dairy cow performance and milk production under different pasture mixes and management strategies. Monthly herd test records were used to model individual lactation curves for daily milk, fat, and protein yield for the 2022–2023 season using random regression with third-order orthogonal polynomials. Total yields were calculated from predicted daily yield. Treatments were SPCM: Standard pasture under conventional management, DPCM: Diverse pasture mix under conventional management, and DPRM: Diverse pasture mix under regenerative management. Total milk yield was similar across treatments, averaging 3370 kg (SPCM), 3649 kg (DPCM), and 3626 kg (DPRM) for the 2022–2023 season. No significant differences were observed in fat, protein, milk solids yield, or milk composition. Cows on diverse pastures, regardless of management approach, showed heavier liveweights than those on standard pastures. DPCM and DPRM cows averaged 474 kg, significantly greater than SPCM cows at 464 kg (P < 0.0001), likely due to longer grazing rotation and higher post-graze mass. These findings suggest that pasture species diversity, regardless the management, enhances liveweight without affecting milk composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spent mushroom compost (SMC) is a waste byproduct generated by the mushroom industry, with the current disposal methods involving landfills or incineration, causing environmental problems. This study introduces a cascading valorization based on circular economy. A water-washing pretreatment is suggested to reduce the ash content and improve the calorific value. Furthermore, an oxidative torrefaction is proposed to enhance the physicochemical properties and evaluate the residence time, temperature, and initial weight effects. The investigation revealed that the calorific value increased by 49.46% in the best water washing scenario and the SMC contains laccase. During SMC torrefaction, mass and energy yields exceeded 80%, and the calorific value was improved. Finally, torrefaction in situ CO2 capture was achieved by forming CaCO3, with a mass fraction increase of up to 7.4%. The study describes the cascading innovation use of this residue on a TRL4 higher than previously reported studies, thereby contributing to gaining an understanding of sustainable industrial mushroom production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silvopasture is a form of agroforestry that has been practiced around the globe for millennia and involves integrating trees, livestock, and forage within the same area. Recent increased attention and research on this practice has provided greater evidence that it can deliver both economic and environmental benefits, including climate mitigation and adaptation. However, it is not widely used in the United States. The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of the current state of silvopasture and opportunities for expansion of this practice in California, one of the primary agricultural regions in the United States. California is geographically suited to silvopasture and already has large land areas dedicated to both orchards and grazing though these two types of agriculture are typically managed and documented separately. We report the results of our statewide survey of silvopasture producers, including benefits, motivations, and challenges associated with this practice. Finally, we recommend ways in which the barriers to silvopasture adoption could be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving sustainable Australian food and land systems requires the rapid implementation and scaling up of a broad suite of solutions to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Decision-making frameworks are needed to identify suitable indicators and prioritise solutions at national scales to inform sustainability transitions. Using a knowledge co-production framework, we convened 150 stakeholders from 100 + organisations to identify 18 nationally relevant indicators that aligned with critical SDGs describing a sustainable food and land system for Australia, in addition to 78 key solutions (supply- and demand-side) to enable progress against these indicators. We then asked subject matter experts to code the impact of each solution on each indicator using an adapted interaction mapping method accounting for uncertainty. The solution category 'Protecting and restoring nature', which included solutions targeting conservation and restoration, showed the highest potential for capturing synergies and avoiding trade-offs across multiple indicators. This category exhibited 34.6% of total major synergies, supporting the achievement of clean water and sanitation (SDG6), economic growth (SDG12), life under water (SDG14), and life on land (SDG15). The solution category 'Carbon sequestration', which included technological and biological carbon dioxide removal solutions, had the highest number of trade-offs with individual sustainability indicators (42.3%), particularly those relating to zero hunger (SDG2), wellbeing (SDG3), SDG6, SDG14, and SDG15. Our framework can be used to inform future research investment, support the prioritisation of solutions for quantitative modelling, and inform discussions with stakeholders and policymakers for transforming national-scale food and land systems in alignment with the SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at positioning regenerative agriculture within the theoretical discussions on rural social innovations. By analysing the concept and practices of regeneration it argues that there is an emerging shift towards grassroots rural initiatives which re-imagine farming and food production as socio-ecologically embedded processes which encourage shared societal responsibility for resources use and food production. Moreover, the paper argues that these processes can suggest a path to rural social innovation that rethinks the mainstream concepts of development and growth, offering epistemological transitions to non-extractivist economies and production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arthropods may make a significant fraction of the total number of soil organisms. They function as plant litter transformers or ecosystem engineers, and thus contribute positively to soil health. The present study was conducted during the 2020--2022 at International Rice Research Institute, South Asia Regional Centre, Varanasi. Study investigates the impact of different farming methods- conventional (Scenario 1; Sc1), LINF- Low-input natural farming (Sc 2); BBEF- Biochar-based ecological farming (Sc 3); CROF- Climate-resilient organic farming (Sc 4); RF- Regenerative farming (Sc 5) practices on soil arthropod populations in rice-wheat systems. Study utilized pitfall traps across various experimental setups. The findings revealed a significant increase in arthropod diversity and abundance, particularly in organic farming scenarios, where the Formicidae family (ants) and the Araneae family (spiders) were most prevalent. In an organically rich soil system, the five most diverse groups (Isopoda, Myriapoda, Insecta, Acari, and Collembola) were reported. This increase can be attributed to the nutrient-rich amendments that positively influence soil organisms. This study highlights a gradual increase in specific taxa, such as cockroaches, spiders, ants, and grasshoppers, following the transition to organic farming. Principal component analysis (PCA) further revealed distinct arthropod distribution patterns in the different farming systems, indicating the unique ecological impact of each method. Interestingly, predator populations in zero-till wheat fields under regenerative agriculture were greater than those in conventionally tilled fields. These results underscore the substantial role of organic and regenerative farming practices in promoting sustainable agricultural ecosystems. This study reveals the complex interplay between farming practices and arthropod dynamics and highlights the ecological benefits of sustainable agricultural methods, emphasizing their potential to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural and social landscape of rural Australia is changing, with many farmers interested in, and some actively moving towards, regenerative agriculture--but what do we understand of the farmers undertaking these transitions? Regenerative agriculture is a holistic way of managing landscapes that aims to move beyond sustainability to regenerate natural systems, while supporting farming system viability. While several authors have discussed the higher-level philosophical underpinnings of regenerative agriculture, there are few empirical studies exploring the motivators for farmers to implement a suite of practices within the regenerative agriculture tool-kit. By undertaking an online survey targeting regenerative farmers, this study identifies common attributes of regenerative farmers, as well as key motivators for, and barriers to change, including perceived benefits arising from the approach. An online survey was promoted through the social media pages of three farming groups, resulting in 96 self-identifying Australian regenerative farmers included in this analysis. Results demonstrate that a clear and recent shift has taken place for this group, who may feel ostracized within their local community, hence often rely on information from online and international sources of agricultural information. This article builds a core understanding of the goals, attributes, aspirations and challenges of regenerative farmers and offers a definition of regenerative agriculture that is derived from farmer responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information is required to understand how novel biodiversity strategies can improve cropping system resilience to climate change. A "business as usual" (BAU) rotation (wheat–canola–wheat–soybean) was compared with a "warm-season crop" (WS) rotation (corn–sunflower–dry bean–canola); a "biodiverse" (BD) rotation (fall rye with cover crop– corn/soybean intercrop—pea/canola intercrop–green fallow mixture); a "perennial grain" (Kernza) rotation (Kernza grain intermediate wheatgrass); and an organic (ORG) rotation (millet-green fallow mixture-wheat). Drought conditions prevailed in both study years. The BAU rotation had the lowest average yield (1821 kg ha−1 compared with 2533 and 3083 kg ha−1 for the BD and WS rotations, respectively), less post-harvest residual biomass, and a lower net return than the WS rotation. The WS rotation was limited by herbicide-resistant weeds in dry beans. Kernza seed yield was five times lower than for spring wheat. ORG wheat yielded the same as other wheat and had a higher net return. Live roots days, a measure of soil health potential, were 95 for the BAU rotation and 174 and 113 for the BD and WS rotations, respectively; the most were recorded for Kernza (365). Seasonal crop growth duration was increased by including Kernza and fall rye for early season growth, and corn, sunflower, a corn–soybean intercrop, a cover crop, and fall-seeded rye for late season growth. WS and BD rotations outperformed the BAU rotation and the BD system accomplished this with half the N fertilizer. Results demonstrate the potential of biodiverse rotations; barriers to their adoption should be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Agriculture is facing a severe threat to its sustainability due to the growing demands for food, feed, and other renewable nonfood raw materials in the face of global warming. Regenerative agriculture is increasingly recognized as a vital solution to a range of ecological and social issues. It actively revitalizes ecosystems, focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and mitigating climate change, going beyond sustainable practices. Governments and other organizations at all levels, from global to regional, are exploring how regenerative agriculture can be integrated into climate change initiatives to sustain ecosystem. This powerful benefit can be achieved without reducing yields or farmer profits. Soil, as a living and dynamic environment, is home to a diverse range of micro- and macro biota that contribute to its characteristics. Healthy soil is characterized by favorable physical properties (texture, water-holding capacity), chemical properties (pH, soil organic matter; SOM), and biological properties (microbial diversity, and soil respiration), which are essential for nurturing nutritious and profitable crops and improve human health. Regenerative farming is attracting interest from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to improve soil health and sustain ecology. Several academics and non-governmental organizations have attempted to explain the scope and significance of regenerative agriculture. This review outlines how regenerative agriculture practices can mitigate global warming, improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and its socioecological impacts. For future prospects, further scientific research required to examine the effects of regenerative agriculture on both livestock and human health, in order to promote a healthier community.

Knowledge co-creation (KCC) is imperative for agroecological development, yet the extent to which agroecological KCC processes balance scientific rigor, local relevance, and legitimacy, and the extent to which they connect to transformative agroecological farming remains poorly understood. Therefore, we systematically reviewed 58 peer-reviewed empirical studies that involved agroecological KCC. While we did not find a connection between the perceived credibility, salience, and legitimacy of the co-created knowledge and impacts on agroecological farming, we did find that KCC processes had mostly incremental, rather than transformative, impacts. We conclude that an increased focus on agroecological principles, going beyond agroecological practices, is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to validate the necessity of formulating and executing plans for incorporating the concepts of the circular economy into Ukraine's agriculture sector, while considering the impacts of globalisation and problems arising from the war. This study examined the fundamental principles and intellectual underpinnings that differentiate the circular economy from the conventional economic model. The undamental concept of the circular economy in the agricultural sector was justified, and the primary benefits of implementing this economic model in the field of agriculture were established. The European Commission has approved the strategy for the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2023-2027. This strategy emphasises the primary responsibilities that EU member states must undertake to implement the principles of the circular economy in agriculture. The primary patterns in the operation of agriculture in Ukraine are recognised, and the significance of the agricultural sector in the framework of gross domestic product (GDP) formation and foreign exchange profits is established. The destruction of infrastructure, mining activities, and occupation of regions resulted in a decline in the cultivated land and animals, leading to a loss in physical productivity. Due to the war, there has been a decline in production and logistics capabilities, resulting in a large fall in the export of agricultural products. Consequently, the profitability of firms in this sector of the Ukrainian economy has also decreased. Ukrainian agricultural firms lack the financial resources to independently support creative development, which includes the implementation of new technology solutions that form the foundation of the circular economy. Considering the effects of globalisation and military conflict, it is justified that prioritising innovation and investment support, particularly by the State, should be a strategic direction for implementing the principles of the circular economy of agriculture in Ukraine. This approach will enhance economic efficiency and create new opportunities

Despite all the complications that arise with root research, such as slow, laborious, and unclear genetics, roots are a promising object of interest for breeders because many root traits are compatible with high yield potential. It is a great challenge for further research that there is a wide demand for information on the "hidden half of plant metabolism" from many research fields. We have summarized the main obstacles in root system research and sketched a solution for breeding in field conditions so that the result was more meaningful to the farmer. (i) The most important challenge in root research is linking the functional identification of root system properties with the aboveground parts. (ii) Field breeding is irreplaceable, and methods allowing the evaluation of roots under field conditions are indispensable. (iii) Low heritability of root system trait discourages breeders. However, root properties show broad genotypic variability, allowing the efficient use of these traits as selection criteria. (iv) The root traits are variable, and many fluctuate under the influence of environmental factors, which complicates efforts to define ideotypes and explains the different conclusions obtained by researchers from different environments. The breeding programs targeting the root system are sporadic even in a global context. This is a great reserve for breeding progress in the era of climate change, water scarcity, a possible shift to extensive farming systems, and in the era of environmental programs.

There is increasing concern regarding the influence corporations have over the global food system. The extent of this power is so great that it is described as a defining feature of the current global food regime. In this paper, I explore the case study of regenerative agriculture, a growing transnational sustainable agriculture movement which has received increasing interest from corporate actors. Existing literature has highlighted the risks of corporate co-optation in regenerative agriculture but has failed to explore these patterns in any great depth. To address this gap, I analyse 21 multi-national corporations with regenerative agriculture programs and policies. Combining food regime theory with a three faces of power framework, I document the nature of corporate involvement in regenerative agriculture and how it reflects a broader attempt by agri-food corporations to legitimize their power in the global food system via the corporate environmental food regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few decades, various types of farming systems based on ecological principles have been proposed and developed. There is often interest in knowing about the differences between these systems, but such information must be obtained from several sources describing each of these systems. Therefore, this paper is an effort to consolidate the information on these systems in a concise manner without making comparative ratings between them. We found three components contained in the overarching theme of these systems: the reduction in external inputs, environmental protection, and sustainability. However, several variations exist between them, each with its own focus and guiding principles. Also, these farming systems contain their own specific terms to identify themselves and contain their own set of philosophies based on their founder. In this review, we provided a short description of some of the major ecologically based farming systems such as "agroecology", "regenerative agriculture", "holistic management", "carbon farming", "organic farming", "permaculture", "biodynamic farming", "conservation agriculture", and "regenerative organic farming". We summarized these farming systems as "variants of farming systems based on ecological principles" and outlined the similarities and differences between them. We also discussed how the themes of these systems relate to the United Nations' thirteen principles of agroecology. Although these systems share several similarities, their philosophy is rooted in their founders and the communities that choose to adopt these philosophies. Last, we discussed some of the challenges in implementing these ecological agriculture systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With its focus on the species level of the Anthropos, there is growing concern that the Anthropocene analytic lacks the conceptual nuance needed to grapple with the unevenly distributed harms and responsibilities tied up with issues of biodiversity loss, global warming, and land use change. Conceptual variants like the patchy Anthropocene have been proposed to better capture the justice implications of these socio‐ecological crises, directing attention to their spatially ubiquitous yet context‐specific character. The figure of the plantation has come to play an important role in this scholarship due to the contribution intensive agriculture had made to these interlinking crises. Through empirical study of the regenerative agricultural movement, this paper reflects on how regenerative farmers use different sites (fields, soils, livestock stomachs) to apprehend their agro‐ethical responsibilities to more‐than‐human actors both near to and far from the landscapes they manage. Our aims here are two‐fold. First, we provide a more affirmative account of agricultural management than is currently offered by plantation farming: a model of food production that is not just 'in' the Anthropocene, but 'for' it. Second, we contribute to ongoing discussions unfolding in the social sciences around the tools needed to conceptualise the interlinking spatial and justice aspects of the Anthropocene transition. By bringing the patchy analytic into conversation with more established geographic writing on scale, volume, and horizontal connections, we show the merit of juxtaposing multiple models of spatial relation as a way of gaining ethical and conceptual traction on complex socio‐ecological issues. We argue that the 'polymorphic' spatial imaginaries of regenerative agriculturalists can offer some guidance on the tools needed to attend to the specificity of local Anthropocene outcomes in relation to socio‐ecological forces actuating the world at much greater spatio‐temporal scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a vast majority of the land in the Driftless Region of the Midwestern United States dedicated to agricultural production, the future of farming has significant economic, social, recreational, agricultural, and ecological implications. An important literature stream has developed on ways agriculture can change to impact both human and ecological communities positively. In this study, we examine the processes and extent to which community narratives assert and inform regional identities that shape the meaning of being a good farmer. Using a mixed methods approach, we examine what farmers consider good farming and how they utilize community narratives to assert their perspective of good farming. Employing a correlational analysis, we examined the relative importance of the four dimensions of good farming (productivist, conservationist, civic-minded, and naturalist). In addition, we used narrative analysis to explore the development of community narratives that assert a multi-dimensional view of good farming. Data for this study was collected through 21 semi-structured interviews with farmers, two focus groups of farmers, and a survey of farmers with 82 survey participants. The mean scores for conservationist, civic-minded, and naturalist dimensions were significantly higher than those for productivists. There was no significant correlation between the productivists dimension and the three other dimensions of good farming. Through analysis of transcripts, we identified a community narrative that actively problematized a dominant cultural narrative centered on production agriculture. Collectively, a community narrative is emerging in the Driftless Region that sought to normalize agricultural practices that promote profitable farms, vibrant communities, and a wide array of ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to validate the necessity of formulating and executing plans for incorporating the concepts of the circular economy into Ukraine's agriculture sector, while considering the impacts of globalisation and problems arising from the war. This study examined the fundamental principles and intellectual underpinnings that differentiate the circular economy from the conventional economic model. The fundamental concept of the circular economy in the agricultural sector was justified, and the primary benefits of implementing this economic model in the field of agriculture were established. The European Commission has approved the strategy for the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2023-2027. This strategy emphasises the primary responsibilities that EU member states must undertake to implement the principles of the circular economy in agriculture. The primary patterns in the operation of agriculture in Ukraine are recognised, and the significance of the agricultural sector in the framework of gross domestic product (GDP) formation and foreign exchange profits is established. The destruction of infrastructure, mining activities, and occupation of regions resulted in a decline in the cultivated land and animals, leading to a loss in physical productivity. Due to the war, there has been a decline in production and logistics capabilities, resulting in a large fall in the export of agricultural products. Consequently, the profitability of firms in this sector of the Ukrainian economy has also decreased. Ukrainian agricultural firms lack the financial resources to independently support creative development, which includes the implementation of new technology solutions that form the foundation of the circular economy. Considering the effects of globalisation and military conflict, it is justified that prioritising innovation and investment support, particularly by the State, should be a strategic direction for implementing the principles of the circular economy of agriculture in Ukraine. This approach will enhance economic efficiency and create new opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial groundcover (PGC) has promise as a scalable approach to generating natural resource benefits and sustainable biofuel feedstock while preserving the high yields of annual row crop production. Partnering row crops with temporally and spatially complementary low-growing, shallow-rooted perennials, such as Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) (Poa pratensis L.), is one example of an emerging PGC system. PGC's ecosystem benefits can only be fully realized if commercial-scale adoption occurs, which hinges on its economic feasibility. This paper utilizes an enterprise budget framework to detail and compare the expected cost and revenue of establishing and maintaining PGC in row crop systems with standard continuous corn (SCC) (Zea mays L.) production, including stover harvest, but excluding economic incentives for ecosystem services. Optimistic and pessimistic assumptions were used, along with Monte Carlo simulation, to characterize the uncertainty in results. In the optimistic stover market scenario, Year 1 net returns for PGC averaged USD 84/ac less than for SCC; Year 2+ net returns averaged USD 83/ac more, meaning that cost parity with SCC occurs by the second PGC system year. Without stover revenue, parity is achieved after five years. These results affirm that PGC's economic viability is critically impacted by a groundcover's lifespan, the yield parity with SCC, and the availability of a stover market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbes are increasingly central to visions of sustainable and healthy futures, including in farming movements such as regenerative agriculture. In social science and environmental humanities scholarship, (re)connecting with microbes is seen as a way to challenge, conceptually and practically, the very ontology of human-nature separation which underpins the destruction and violence in human relations with other living beings and with environments. The crux of this onto-ethical potential is a shift towards relational modes of knowing microbes, rooted in localised, proximate, and sensuous practice, and expressed in embodied expertise. This paper engages critically with this promise by calling attention to persistence of calculability to people's self-governance within current microbiopolitics. Through a case study of regenerative agriculture in the United Kingdom, I argue that while embodied expertise of soil microbes is seen as crucial to soil health-oriented farming, it is also dismissed as an insufficient in guiding farmers and shaping future practice, including by farmers themselves. Regenerative agriculture continues to function within "farming by numbers", an agri-biopolitical regime in which farmers' and advisors' subjectivity is that of calculating managers situated in calculable environments. As a result, calculability acts as a 'break' on the development of alternative microbial onto-ethics, and regenerative agriculture practitioners look for ways to bring soil microbes into the realm of calculability (e.g., through metagenomics). Consequently, the way microbes are being incorporated into future agri-environmental relations reinforces rather than threatens existing structures of biopolitical power. Overall, I argue that human-microbe research, potentially due to its empirical focus on alternative practices, has underplayed the importance of calculability to people's self-governance in relations with microbes. The struggle for a new microbiopolitics, especially in agriculture and environmental management, will require addressing the continued importance of calculability, and a creative and socially relevant experimentation with alternative forms of expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Static life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies fail to consider the temporal profiles of system inputs and outputs (including emission timing), such that they underestimate the benefits of temporarily stored biogenic carbon in bioproducts, such as cotton. This research focuses on greenhouse gas emission timing and applies dynamic emission accounting to the life cycle of cotton woven pants. The significance of temporary biogenic carbon storage and emission timing is illustrated by converting the 2017 Cotton Incorporated static LCA to a dynamic model using the Dynamic Carbon Footprinter (baseline scenario). A reduction in cumulative radiative forcing for dynamic relative to static modeling of 22%, 5%, and 2% are observed at 10-years, 30-years, and 100-years, respectively. Alternative scenarios analyzed include converting cotton woven pants at end of life to bioenergy, to compost, or to building insulation, an alternative cotton production scenario using regenerative agricultural practices, and two pants extended lifetime scenarios. The regenerative agricultural practice scenario provides reductions in cumulative impacts compared to the baseline scenario of 96%, 69%, and 105% after 10, 30, and 100-years, respectively. A 3x extension in the lifetime of pants provides a benefit in reduced cumulative impacts of 31%, 40%, and 41%, after 10, 30, and 100-years, respectively. This case study with cotton demonstrates that dynamic LCA is a useful tool for assessing the benefits of biobased products, and it allows for more nuanced analysis of reductions in climate impacts in both the short- and long-term time horizons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional agricultural practices severely deplete the soil of essential organic matter and nutrients, increasing its vulnerability to disease, drought, and flooding. Permaculture is a form of agroecology adopting a whole ecosystem approach to create a set of principles and design frameworks for enriching soil fertility, but there is little scientific evidence of its efficiency. This study compares two permaculture managed sites with a conventional arable site to investigate the effect of permaculture management on soil fertility. We used phospholipid fatty acid analysis to estimate microbial abundance and diversity and related these to measured soil nutrients and carbon stocks. The potential of permaculture management to mitigate soil greenhouse gas emissions was assessed during a laboratory soil incubation and measurement of greenhouse gases via gas chromatography. Overall, the permaculture managed allotments had three times higher microbial biomass, one and a half times higher nitrogen, and four times higher carbon content than the arable site. Permaculture soils had larger carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide fluxes compared to arable soil, but all sites had a mean negative flux in methane. Permaculture management by use of organic amendments and no-dig practices provides a constant slow release of nutrients and build-up of organic matter and carbon and consequently promotes greater bacterial and fungal biomass within the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in soil microbial communities are driving agricultural practices towards ecological sustainability and productivity, with engineering microbial communities significantly contributing to sustainable agriculture. This study explored the combined effects of two white-rot fungi (Trametes sp. and Pleurotus sp.) and six rhizobacterial strains belonging to four genera (Acinetobacter sp., Enterobacter sp., Flavobacterium sp., and Pseudomonas sp.) on maize growth and soil enzymatic activity over a 14-day period. At the plant level, germination, fresh and dry mass of the aerial and root parts, length, and stage of development of the stem, as well as the chlorophyll content, were evaluated. Furthermore, soil dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatases, pH, and electrical conductivity were evaluated. Rot fungi induced distinct effects on maize germination, with Pleurotus sp. strongly suppressing maize germination by 40% relative to that of the control. The isolated bacterial strains, except Enterobacter sp. O8, and 8 of the 12 fungus + bacterial strain combinations induced germination rates higher than those of the control (≥40%). Combinations of Flavobacterium sp. I57 and Pseudomonas sp. O81 with the rot fungus Pleurotus sp. significantly improved plant shoot length (from 28.0 to 37.0 cm) and developmental stage (fourth leaf length increase from 10.0 to 16.8 cm), respectively, compared with the same bacteria alone or in combination with the rot fungus Trametes sp. In the soil, the presence of both fungi appeared to stabilize phosphatase activity compared to their activity when only bacteria were present, while also promoting overall dehydrogenase enzymatic activity in the soil. Integrating all parameters, Trametes sp. rot fungus + Enterobacter sp. O8 may be a potential combination to be explored in the context of agricultural production, and future studies should focus on the consistency of this combination's performance over time and its effectiveness in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary US and European approaches to ecosystems and mental health have left many feeling disempowered in the face of the climate crisis. This article advocates for holistic approaches to supporting natural complex systems with contemplation and care. It explores how environmental metaphors and nature-based art therapy can foster human-nature connections, call for deep listening, reshape practitioner perceptions, and enhance understandings of internal and external worlds. Further, how existing frameworks such as the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC), can highlight the therapeutic qualities of nature-based art therapy and the potential for adaptation through the expressed paradigm shift. This article proposes that responsive mental health care can be adapted to better address the necessary changes required to support the global community and environment as we listen and adapt to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgent need to address both human and environmental health crises has brought attention to the role of food systems in driving climate change, biodiversity loss, and diet-related diseases. This paper explores the intersection of Food is Medicine (FIM) and regenerative agriculture (RA) as an emerging approach with the potential to help address the interconnected challenges of human and ecological health within healthcare and food systems. FIM programs, such as produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals, aim to improve health outcomes by increasing access to nutritious foods and promoting nutrition equity. RA, focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and reduced reliance on synthetic inputs, offers more sustainable agricultural practices that can align with FIM goals. This paper highlights key opportunities, recent policy developments, and evidence gaps, calling for concerted efforts to clearly define RA practices and foster collaboration between community, healthcare, agriculture, and policy stakeholders. Strengthening these interconnections could lead to more resilient food systems and improved health outcomes at both individual and population levels.

Increasing pressure on arable land related to climate change mitigation and adaptation within recent policy frameworks has generated widespread interest in the effect of sustainable agricultural management practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. Current frameworks point to soil microorganisms and their functioning as the key drivers of SOC accrual. This study provides a comprehensive on-farm assessment of changes in SOC formation pathways (physico-chemical and microbial) and the underlying drivers comparing three soil use systems: conservation and conventional farming systems as well as permanently vegetated adjacent reference soils (i.e., field margins) without agricultural land-use.Overall, our results indicated substantial increases in extractable organic carbon (+22 %), microbial biomass carbon (+29 %) and necromass carbon stocks (+11 %) in soils of conservation farming systems as compared to conventional farming systems. Differences between all three soil use systems were strongly pronounced in the surface soil (0–5 cm) and declined in deeper soil layers. Structural equation modelling revealed a varying influence of SOC storage pathways among soil use systems, with microbial-mediated (‘in-vivo’) turnover and direct sorption being the most dominant pathways. Moreover, diversity of crop rotation and tillage intensity were identified as the most important factors influencing extractable organic carbon and carbon-liberating enzyme activity within conservation farming management. Our on-farm approach demonstrates that enhanced bioavailable carbon inputs and reduced soil disturbance are the key drivers for microbially-controlled SOC accrual in arable soils and that conservation farming systems with extended plant coverage and increased crop diversity can substantially advance the restoration of soil health.

The study was conducted in Juan Guerra district, province and region of San Martin, Peru; it assessed two treatment sets: (1) nitrogen fertilizer dose (FN75, FN100); (2) green manure Crotalaria juncea (CroJ), Canavalia ensiformis (CanE), and without green manure. It was arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. During the experiment, we observed an important fluctuation in soil parameters. Notably, there was a decrease in soil carbon and nitrogen levels, likely attributed to microorganism metabolism. On the other hand, we observed that CanE significantly reduced the diseased tillers through “White Leaf Virus” (RHBV) by 2.82% compared to the control, and significant panicle fertility was achieved by CroJ (91.88%). No significant differences were obtained in yields during this first campaign; however, the highest reported yield was 8.36 t ha-1 with the CanE - FN100 treatment. Additionally, the nutritional quality of the rice was not affected by either green manuring or the application of chemical nitrogen fertilization. These findings allow deeper studies to consider strategic alternatives to reducing dependency on inorganic fertilizers among the poorest communities. Highlights: • A reduced incidence of White Leaf Virus (RHBV) was observed with the use of green manures. • Rice variety INIA 507 "La Conquista'' reached 8.36 t ha-1 under tropical climate conditions. • Canavalia ensiformis accompanied by nitrogen fertilization produced the highest yield. • Replacing 25% of chemical nitrogen fertilization with Canavalia or Crotalaria green manures did not significantly affect rice yield. • Replacing chemical nitrogen fertilization with green manure did not affect the nutritional quality of rice.

Concern has been raised about the potential greenwashing/co-optation of regenerative agriculture (RA) due to a lack of consensus on its definition. While the academic literature has cataloged various approaches to defining RA, each definitional approach carries with it a relative concern for its likelihood for co-optation and the potential transformative power it can have within the sector. As the industrial agrifoods sector is taking interest in the field, lessons from the organic movement are worth highlighting. The corporate system has easily integrated the foundational pillar of growing food without chemicals, but left behind the pillars of alternative food distribution, and a focus on whole foods and unprocessed ingredients. Corporate interest in RA could be a major driver for scaled adaptation, yet it may lose its focus on the regeneration of agriculture resources, ecosystems functions, and the social systems required to reproduce the next generation of farmers. The greatest challenge is that the fundamental concern is a philosophical one, which entails a shift in how humans perceive the natural world and their role in it. As RA scales, will it hold to its values and remain obscure, or could its values merge with the predominant industrial system to have significance and affect real change in agriculture?

Fencing is essential for rotational grazing, a pivotal practice to support conservation and natural resource management. Virtual fencing offers a technological alternative to traditional fencing and represents potential for increased resource optimization in rotational grazing. While the virtual fencing industry is emerging in the US, adoption is still limited and research on its benefits and broader implications is still minimal. This exploratory study examined the potential and limitations of virtual fencing products and assessed the conditions that enable ranchers in the Midwest to reap the most benefits from their use in grazing livestock. We conducted qualitative interviews with company representatives bringing virtual fencing to the US market and ranchers piloting them on their livestock operations. Environmental benefits included facilitation of strategically-planned rotational grazing that improves pasture management. Economic benefits included significant savings in time, money, and labor for ranchers. Animal welfare was perceived as positively impacted, with the technology allowing detailed tracking of animal behavior and movement. Challenges included current market capacity to meet demand for virtual fencing products, the costs, and concerns about collar functionalities like GPS accuracy and battery life. The interaction of virtual fencing with existing fencing laws is also uncertain, representing uncharted territory. Overall, while virtual fencing shows promise in revolutionizing livestock management, its adoption is contingent on addressing these multifaceted challenges. The findings provide a roadmap for further investigations pertaining to the use of virtual fencing to facilitate natural resource management and conservation practices, specifically adaptive rotational grazing of livestock.

The opportunity of agricultural management practices to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC) is recognized as an important strategy for mitigating climate change. However, there is low confidence when it comes to understanding the magnitude of the climate benefit we can expect from SOC sequestration or how best to achieve it. Several issues are often confounded when it comes to the mitigation potential of SOC sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from agriculture, creating confusion and making it difficult to clearly identify the knowns, unknowns and risks to implementing policy and practice recommendations. Here, we identify and explain four major areas of uncertainty: (1) the expected changes in soil carbon or GHG emissions resulting from agricultural management practice changes; (2) the extent to which social, environmental and economic factors constrain mitigation potential; (3) the ability to execute reliable measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification (MMRV) frameworks; and (4) the perception of risk associated with different ways of promoting practice adoption (e.g., voluntary carbon markets fueled by the private sector, pay-for-practice programs funded by public investment). We aim to pinpoint knowledge gaps and areas of disagreement to help right-size expectations and guide effective investment in GHG removals and reductions from agriculture.

The concept of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) evolved as a global collaborative endeavour to identify and protect a mosaic of traditional agro-ecosystems and landscapes that are rich in biodiversity and have both cultural and livelihood importance for farmers. In this study, we document prominent features of selected agricultural practices and GIAHS values using empirical data from two GIAHS sites in Japan. The designation of GIAHS in traditional farming landscapes encouraged farmers to maintain age-old practices, protect local crop varieties, revitalize discontinued agriculture (e.g. swidden agriculture), and add nature-based technologies such as micro hydroelectric projects. Farmers’ cooperative efforts have been reinforced, community bonding has been strengthened, local festivity has been expanded, and relationships with numerous government and non-government organizations have been formed. Their farm productivity remained modest, but household income increased owing to branding, certification, internet marketing, and farm stays supported by partnerships. The above attributes of GIAHS are closely linked to the principles of sustainable and regenerative agriculture. The primary issues for the viability of GIAHS are aging farmers and the depopulation of younger people. Lessons from this study could be valuable for developing GIAHS in countries where local agricultural practices and farmer livelihoods are under threat.

ABSTRACTRegenerative agriculture has emerged as a potentially outcome-based paradigm centring on soil health, biodiversity and other environmental and social parameters. Early days of organic agriculture also focused on philosophy first and evolved into a process-based regulatory paradigm whose adoption remains small relative to conventional production. Five case studies of professional growers, representing a total of 100,000 acres of production, were collected to identify reasons for choosing to grow or stop growing organic, challenges faced and attitudes around regenerative agriculture. Growers identified issues of complex and unpredictable regulation, labour, inability to predict market trends and secure needed premiums, cost and effectiveness of natural fertilizers and lack of effectiveness in pest control. These growers adopted similar practices (e.g., integrated pest management) for environmental benefits across conventional and organic acres, and viewed consumer demand and potential profitability rather than environmental benefits as the main drivers for practising organic. Growers expressed interest in outcome-based regenerative agriculture. To be viable, a programme requires criteria on measurement and certification, regionally tailored flexibility and clear financial incentives. Growers doubt such a programme would replace organic but see opportunities for new marketing programmes, particularly in carbon sequestration and water management. Challenges identified by growers warrant further study.

Arthropods may make a significant fraction of the total number of soil organisms. They function as plant litter transformers or ecosystem engineers, and thus contribute positively to soil health. The present study was conducted during the 2020–2022 at International Rice Research Institute, South Asia Regional Centre, Varanasi. Study investigates the impact of different farming methods-conventional (Scenario 1; Sc1), LINF- Low-input natural farming (Sc 2); BBEF- Biochar-based ecological farming (Sc 3); CROF- Climate-resilient organic farming (Sc 4); RF- Regenerative farming (Sc 5) practices on soil arthropod populations in rice-wheat systems. Study utilized pitfall traps across various experimental setups. The findings revealed a significant increase in arthropod diversity and abundance, particularly in organic farming scenarios, where the Formicidae family (ants) and the Araneae family (spiders) were most prevalent. In an organically rich soil system, the five most diverse groups (Isopoda, Myriapoda, Insecta, Acari, and Collembola) were reported. This increase can be attributed to the nutrient-rich amendments that positively influence soil organisms. This study highlights a gradual increase in specific taxa, such as cockroaches, spiders, ants, and grasshoppers, following the transition to organic farming. Principal component analysis (PCA) further revealed distinct arthropod distribution patterns in the different farming systems, indicating the unique ecological impact of each method. Interestingly, predator populations in zero-till wheat fields under regenerative agriculture were greater than those in conventionally tilled fields. These results underscore the substantial role of organic and regenerative farming practices in promoting sustainable agricultural ecosystems. This study reveals the complex interplay between farming practices and arthropod dynamics and highlights the ecological benefits of sustainable agricultural methods, emphasizing their potential to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health.

The agricultural and social landscape of rural Australia is changing, with many farmers interested in, and some actively moving towards, regenerative agriculture—but what do we understand of the farmers undertaking these transitions? Regenerative agriculture is a holistic way of managing landscapes that aims to move beyond sustainability to regenerate natural systems, while supporting farming system viability. While several authors have discussed the higher-level philosophical underpinnings of regenerative agriculture, there are few empirical studies exploring the motivators for farmers to implement a suite of practices within the regenerative agriculture tool-kit. By undertaking an online survey targeting regenerative farmers, this study identifies common attributes of regenerative farmers, as well as key motivators for, and barriers to change, including perceived benefits arising from the approach. An online survey was promoted through the social media pages of three farming groups, resulting in 96 self-identifying Australian regenerative farmers included in this analysis. Results demonstrate that a clear and recent shift has taken place for this group, who may feel ostracized within their local community, hence often rely on information from online and international sources of agricultural information. This article builds a core understanding of the goals, attributes, aspirations and challenges of regenerative farmers and offers a definition of regenerative agriculture that is derived from farmer responses.

Static life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies fail to consider the temporal profiles of system inputs and outputs (including emission timing), such that they underestimate the benefits of temporarily stored biogenic carbon in bioproducts, such as cotton. This research focuses on greenhouse gas emission timing and applies dynamic emission accounting to the life cycle of cotton woven pants. The significance of temporary biogenic carbon storage and emission timing is illustrated by converting the 2017 Cotton Incorporated static LCA to a dynamic model using the Dynamic Carbon Footprinter (baseline scenario). A reduction in cumulative radiative forcing for dynamic relative to static modeling of 22%, 5%, and 2% are observed at 10-years, 30-years, and 100-years, respectively. Alternative scenarios analyzed include converting cotton woven pants at end of life to bioenergy, to compost, or to building insulation, an alternative cotton production scenario using regenerative agricultural practices, and two pants extended lifetime scenarios. The regenerative agricultural practice scenario provides reductions in cumulative impacts compared to the baseline scenario of 96%, 69%, and 105% after 10, 30, and 100-years, respectively. A 3x extension in the lifetime of pants provides a benefit in reduced cumulative impacts of 31%, 40%, and 41%, after 10, 30, and 100-years, respectively. This case study with cotton demonstrates that dynamic LCA is a useful tool for assessing the benefits of biobased products, and it allows for more nuanced analysis of reductions in climate impacts in both the short- and long-term time horizons.

Introduction: There is a need to rebuild soil health by implementing regenerative agricultural practices across cropping systems dependent on agrochemicals, such as in United States corn production. One increasingly utilized regenerative practice is the application of biostimulants, or microbial inoculants that can rebuild soil health and productivity. In this study, we describe results from a multi-year corn trial conducted to quantify the impact of Re-Gen, a biostimulant invented to recycle plant biomass and increase nutrient bioavailability in the soil. Methods: Re-Gen was applied across four fields (VA01, BH01, VA04, and LA05) at a dairy cattle farm in Ferrisburgh, VT. Results: Over the two consecutive years (2022-2023) of the trial, Re-Gen application on corn stover and cover crop residues increased ear corn yield by 24% and corn silage yield by 12.5-30%, depending on the field. Analysis of soil nutrients and plant tissues showed increased nutrients, particularly in field LA-05. Multi-year Re-Gen application increased yield and generated additional economic value, indicating that the effects of Re-Gen do not diminish with multiple applications. The increased corn silage yield correlated to increased potential milk yield from cows fed silage grown in Re-Gen-treated fields. Further investigation into the mechanism suggests that increased phosphatase production Re-Gen could contribute to increased phosphorus bioavailability in the soil and uptake in the tissue, potentially increasing yields. Discussion: These results highlight the potential for Re-Gen to foster regenerative agriculture processes on cropland and livestock farms while also increasing corn and milk yield and, therefore, revenue for corn farmers in the United States and for similar cropping systems worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planting cover crops can improve soil health and help to sustain agricultural crop yields. In northern climates where corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) are grown, cover crop biomass production can be low. This has led to people investigating the potential of interseeding cover crops into the growing main crop. This paper sought to determine biomass production and the benefit to grain yields, weed control and soil properties from interseeding cover crops into corn and soybean. This review included 70 studies published prior to 15 March 2024. Interseeded cover crops that were winter-hardy such as cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) produced more biomass in the spring (1.04 Mg ha−1 average biomass production) than any of the interseeded cover crops did in fall (0.35 Mg ha−1 average biomass production), primarily at crop row spacings of 76 cm. Factors that affected cover crop biomass production were crop stage, planting method, tillage practice, irrigation and row spacing. There was not a consistent widely planted cover crop species that produced the most biomass. Interseeded cover crops reduced weed biomass by 46% compared to weed control and generally did not affect crop grain yields when planted after V4 crop stage. Interseeded cover crops reduced soil nitrate concentration but generally did not affect other soil properties including soil water content. However, most of these studies planted cover crops at the same site for less than three years. Early interseeded cover crops generally did not perform better than interseeded winter-hardy cover crops planted around crop physiological maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activities are responsible for emitting greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to global warming and climate change. As the world's second-largest producer of staple food and the third-largest emitter of GHGs, India has been witnessing an increase in demand for food and energy, resulting in increased emissions. Thus, to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2070, India must focus urgently on climate change mitigation. Its agriculture sector has the potential to transition from being a net emitter to a net absorber of GHGs by adopting sustainable farming practices such as zero tillage, laser-assisted precision land leveling, direct seeding of rice, intercropping, biochar application, use of solar energy, and more efficient management of irrigation water, soil nutrients, livestock feed, and manure. To incentivize climate consciousness, a voluntary carbon credit trading system could be utilized in agriculture, supported by a measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification platform. This system would also bring about social, environmental, and financial co-benefits for its stakeholders. Specifically, the agriculture sector could substantially reduce the country's annual emissions by 84% from 2019 to 2070. But to realize their potential, the carbon markets must overcome the limitations currently set by policy, economic, cultural, and biophysical factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, companies are developing and implementing their strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, in line with the Paris Agreement. However, there is also growing recognition and awareness of the potential negative impacts of these activities on human rights. Recent pressure from international normative standards and ESG expectations, emerging legislative developments, and legal precedents are driving companies to consider human rights impacts across their climate action. This piece explores some of the human rights risks associated with the transition to renewable energy; the transformation to regenerative agriculture; the scaling up of the circular economy; and the implementation of nature-based solutions. It then explores the challenges of conducting effective human rights due diligence given the scale and scope of the transitions needed and provides examples of how companies are seeking to respect human rights in their climate action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil management in orchards can have several economic and environmental implications. In this study, three different soil management systems were compared in a dry-farmed olive grove: conventional tillage (tillage), glyphosate-based herbicide (herbicide) and sheep grazing. The experiment lasted eleven years (2011–2022) and was carried out after a previous trial conducted on the same plot with the same treatments and duration (2001–2011). However, in the earlier trial, the herbicide and sheep grazing treatments switched positions in the plot, while the tillage treatment remained in its original place. The average total accumulated olive yields between 2011 and 2022 were 225.1, 230.9, and 245.0 kg tree−1 for the sheep grazing, tillage, and herbicide treatments, respectively. However, no significant differences were observed between the treatments. The levels of total organic carbon in the soil, measured in samples collected in the last year of the study, were 41.3, 33.7, and 37.3 g kg−1, respectively, for the same treatments. These findings indicated that the tillage treatment exhibited lower soil organic matter content and reduced bioavailability of some nutrients, which raises concerns about its sustainability. On the contrary, employing sheep grazing with an appropriate stocking rate, effectively controlling vegetation in the spring, ensured favourable soil properties and olive yields comparable to the other treatments. Moreover, the sheep grazing approach provides supplementary advantages to the farmer, including revenue from the sale of animal products and the opportunity to transition to organic farming systems, which better align with the preferences of contemporary societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]