You’ve likely seen the organic label and certification on different food products.

Food might be labeled as organic by a country or by a local governing body.

For example, a product might be US Organic, or they may have received their organic certification through a USDA-accredited state program, such as CCOF or QAI out of California.

You might not be as familiar with Regenerative Agriculture Certifications, what they mean, and what kinds of products carry this certification.

In this article, we’ll dive into the different Regenerative Agriculture Certifications across the globe, and explain all the regulations in a way that is clear and easy to understand.

First, if you’re not familiar with Regenerative Farming, get up to speed with our guide on What is Regenerative Farming here.

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Regenerative Organic Certification in the United States:

The Regenerative Organic Certification is a US-based label that is based on the USDA Organic Certification, but goes a step above that to ensure that farmers are working to improve the quality of the land, build soil health, and benefit the environment at the same time as they are growing food, fiber, or raising livestock.

The ROC has began offering its certification in 2017, and it was founded by three companies that are leaders in the sustainability and soil health field: Patagonia, the Rodale Institute, and Dr. Bronner’s All-One.

ROC offers certification to farms and businesses globally.

In order to receive this certification, you must prove that you are implementing these regenerative practices:

• keeping the soil covered with mulch, crops, or cover crops year round
• rotate your crops
• keep roots in the soil when possible
• no soil tillage
• practice rotational grazing if you have livestock
• make compost on site
• use no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides
• ensure that the farm is prioritizing “soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness” (ROC).

The ROC Framework Guidelines expand upon the above core principles:

• The farm must already be USDA Organic Certified or a National Organic Program equivalent
• Partial ROC standards can be met if farmers are approved by the Animal Welfare Society or Demeter Biodynamic, but these labels don’t fully cover the scope of ROC
• Farm must have created a Regenerative Organic System Plan that outlines how the ROC guidelines will be met
• Farm must not clear old growth or untouched forest or other protected lands
• No fracking or mining must occur on the farm
• Perennial systems have native vegetation or other plant between perennial plants
• Invasive species are monitored
• no hunting allowed on property
• At least 3 other regenerative practices should be implemented on the farm, such as agroforestry, pollinator habitats, or water conservation.
• Waste is handled in a way that is sustainable and does not harm the surrounding ecosystem
• Farmers must get their soil tested every 3 years
• Computer modeling helps with calculating GHG emissions and sequestrations

Then the manual details livestock welfare requirements and worker social fairness.

What companies have their Regenerative Organic Certification?

145 companies around the world have this certification. Here are a few of the farms in the United States that you may recognize:

• Herb Pharm (herbal tinctures)
• Lundburg Family Farm (Rice and other grains)
• Bonterra Vineyards (wine)
• Gaia Herbs (herbal tinctures, capsules, and teas)
• Foster Farm Botanicals (dry herbal teas and tinctures)

Check out the ROA Directory to see if you have any certified farms near you.

Does a farm need to be Certified Regenerative in order to say that they implement regenerative practices?

Since the term “regenerative” is more general, farms and growers can say that they work with regenerative practices, but not claim to be Regenerative Organic Certified unless they go through the application and approval process with the ROC.

Oftentimes, small farms may practice organic, beyond organic, regenerative practices, but do not have the funds or bandwidth to go through the record keeping and application process.

This is why it’s important to get to know your local farmers and talking with them at your local farmers market or farm stand. In that way you can better understand what they are doing on their farm, how they are growing their food, and what their goals are as land stewards.

Other regenerative farming certifications to look for:
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Savory Institute's Land to Market Regenerative Agriculture Certification

What distinguishes the Land to Market Certification is that it is the world’s first regenerative guidelines that are specifically designed for products, and is outcomes based.

This label focuses on meat, dairy, fibers, wine, and leather, and is a part of the Savory Institute with input from Michigan State University, Texas A&M, Ovis 21, and The Nature Conservancy.

Their qualifications include increasing ground cover, improving water infiltration, enhancing biodiversity, and building soil carbon to improve soil health.

Of the 1000+ products that have received their Land to Market verification, some of the more recognizable brands are Epic Provisions (snacks), Eileen Fisher (clothing), New Balance (shoes), and Timberland (shoes).

Over 3.5 million acres are a part of the Land to Market label.

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Soil Carbon Initiative (SCI)

The Soil Carbon Initiative is another program designed to help farmers to be recognized for their efforts in regenerating the land and implementing climate-smart practices. It is a part of the Green America program and is currently in its pilot stage.

The SCI says that they are “the first independent third-party regenerative agriculture commitment and verification open to any farmer, in any production system.”

This means that they work with conventional farms and organic farms alike, and they also work with companies.

This program focuses on soil health, biodiversity, water quality, climate resiliency, and farm and community economy.

To date, 50 farmers across the United States have pledged 24,000 acres to the SCI. Some farms, like Lotus Heart Farm out of Williams, Oregon, are relatively small at 5 acres. Other farms, such as Winnemucca Farms in Nevada, have 2000 acres enrolled in the SCI Pilot Program.

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Certified Regenerative by A Greener World (AGW)

A Greener World offers a variety of different certifications that focus on the health and wellbeing of animals and the planet.

In addition to their Certified Regenerative Label, they also offer programs for Animal Welfare, Grassfed Dairy, Non-GMO crops, and Organic growing practices.

A Greener World has bases in North America, the UK, and South Africa.

The Certified Regenerative label seeks to not only store carbon in soil, but also grow healthier food and create more robust eco systems, reduce pollution, and offer a good working and living environment for animals and farm workers.

What sets their certification apart is their commitment to animal welfare, and their measurement of farm emissions and on-farm sourcing of materials.

Some products with the AGW Regenerative Label are the a2 Milk Company, vegetables and grains from Kreher Family Farms, produce from Park Farming Organics, Zack’s Mighty Tortilla Chips, pork from Black Tansy Farm, pork from Uproot Meats, and pork from the Rogue Valley Growers Market.

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Regenified

Regenified is another new label that offers certification and verification of regenerative agricultural practices.

Their focus is on soil and crop health, and overall land stewardship.

They call their vetting process the “6-3-4” Standard, which stems from the fact that they follow six principles, three rules, and four ecosystem processes.

The six principles involve:

• understanding farm context
• minimizing land disturbance
• increasing soil “armor,”
• valuing diversity
• increasing living roots in the land
• integrating livestock into the operation

The three rules are:

• Understand how the effects of certain actions can compound both positively and negatively
• Diversity is a priority
• Allow space for the land to rest from repeated crop family plantings and livestock grazing

The four ecosystem processes are an evaluation of:

• farm water cycle
• farm mineral cycle
• farm energy flow
• farm biodiversity dynamics

They also offer five tiers of ranking, where farms can enter into the program and understand what goals they can meet to achieve higher tier ranking, such as increased land devoted to regenerative practices.

Items with the Regenified certification include Maker’s Mark Whisky and Carman Ranch Beef.

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Want to learn more about regenerative agriculture?

Regenerative Agriculture 101

Environmental Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative Gardening Transition Guide for your own Backyard

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