Regenerative Agriculture

Wolfe’s Neck Center’s goal is to foster a more just and resilient food system in the face of climate change.

To do that, we must implement regenerative agricultural principles on our own farm, educate the public about their role in this system, and collaborate with and lead the food producer community.

Wolfe’s Neck Center is a public resource committed to a more vibrant future for farming and food.

What is Regenerative Agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture is a holistic, place-based approach to farming and food that prioritizes a healthy environment. Building on Indigenous understandings, skills, and philosophies that have been passed down over generations, regenerative agriculture restores ecosystems, communities, and economies to ensure resiliency. It builds healthy soils, reduces air pollution, conserves water, and increases biodiversity while supporting farmers’ ability to produce food for their community.

Why is it Important?

Regenerative agriculture helps create healthier ecosystems, increases farm resiliency, and builds soil health to both mitigate and adapt to climate change. Regenerative agricultural principles work with and for natural systems and aspires to offer a more self-sustaining and equitable model of food production for healthier communities and environment.

What does it look like?

Regenerative agriculture is a collaborative effort that requires cooperation and partnership among stakeholders to build healthy, sustainable, and resilient food systems.

While practices are farm and region specific, there is a commitment to shared principles to achieve long-term outcomes. These principles include:

Minimize soil disturbance
Maintain living soils year round
Keep soil covered
Maximize crop diversity
Integrate livestock

Some examples of common practices include managed rotational livestock grazing, use of cover crops, and minimal soil disruption. These practices require knowledge-sharing and collaboration among farmers to effectively implement and maintain them, and an educated consumer base to help support.