Regenerative agriculture is a holistic way of farming that aims to leave soil, water, and ecosystems healthier than it found them—and you can support it with your grocery dollars, even without a single trusted "regenerative" label to rely on. Because the term has no strict universal rulebook, the most reliable strategy is to look for specific farming practices and ask producers direct questions about soil and wildlife. Here is what the term means, the practices behind it, and a decision framework you can use at a farmer's market or a supermarket.
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
The clearest official definition comes from California, which in 2025 defined regenerative agriculture as an approach to farming and ranching "rooted in principles of soil health, biodiversity and ecosystem resiliency leading to improved targeted outcomes." Those outcomes, as Consumer Reports explains, include building soil health, reducing reliance on pesticides, protecting animal welfare, supporting healthy communities, and honoring Native-led stewardship practices.
The Natural Resources Defense Council, drawing on interviews with more than 100 farmers and ranchers, describes it as a dynamic system with no strict rule book—holistic principles meant to restore soil and ecosystem health, address inequity, and leave land, waters, and climate in better shape for future generations. Textile Exchange, an industry body that sets standards for materials claims, adds a useful distinction: regenerative farming works in alignment with natural systems, moving beyond simply reducing negative impacts toward actively improving them.
One important nuance from California's definition: farmers can try different practices to figure out what creates the best outcomes on their own land. Some farms experiment with a few regenerative methods, while others transform their whole operation. It is a spectrum, not a binary.
