How Our Regenerative Agriculture Standard Drives Impact 

Degraded soils are eroding the productivity of farms around the world, and in turn, fueling deforestation to expand farmland—especially where monocultures and other intensive growing practices remain the norm. Research shows that one in five hectares of farmland is already degraded, reducing crop yields and increasing vulnerability to drought and disease. Without urgent action, soil health will continue its spiraling decline, throwing farmers into even greater economic hardship, uncertainty and threatening global food security. 

What’s in the standard? 

• Detailed soil and leaf sampling to provide data on nutrient imbalances, organic matter content, and plant health.  
• Targeted fertilizer application guided by soil testing results and a nutrient management plan. This reduces nutrient leaching, soil acidification, and microbial disruption in the long term. 
• Use of compost and organic matter to enhance soil microbial activity, water-holding capacity, and nutrient cycling—naturally building fertility while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers.  
• Progressive targets for permanent soil cover, such as mulch or cover crops. This protects topsoil from erosion and moderate temperature fluctuations, suppresses weeds, and sustains microbial life essential for nutrient availability. 

Evidence shows that regenerative approaches better equip farmers to cope with the impacts of climate change—from shifting rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts to a corresponding uptick in pests and diseases. In one study, farms that adopted a regenerative approach during a season of heavy fungal infestation saw nearly no yield loss, while neighboring farms saw yields fall by more than 50 percent. 

What’s in the standard? 

• Establishing agroforestry systems that incorporate shade trees and organic cover like leaf litter and mulch. These practices have numerous benefits: shade cover regulates local microclimates and increase carbon sequestration, leaf litter increases moisture retention, and the presence of more tree roots stabilizes the soil. By fostering biodiversity both above and below ground, agroforestry makes farming ecosystems more robust and adaptable. 
• Prioritizing climate-resilient plant varieties to ensure crops can tolerate stresses, such as drought, heat, or shifting pest pressures. By choosing crops that are adapted to local conditions, farmers are more likely to have stable crop yields. 
• Renovating and rehabilitating crops on a regular cycle to keep farms productive and resilient. For example, coffee farmers must renovate old trees every 5–9 years to maintain yield and profitability. Renovation practices must be tailored to individual regions or farm needs and may include, for example, grafting scions onto established trees, pruning diseased branches, or replacing old trees to suit local conditions. 
• Requiring integrated weed management planning to promote reduced or no herbicide use, and boost overall system resilience under climate stress. This approach combines cultural techniques (like letting low-growing, non-invasive weeds remain in place to protect the soil and suppress more aggressive species) with mechanical (removing weeds by hand) and biological ones (introducing natural predators or parasites).   

Conventional agriculture and ongoing agriculture expansion are the biggest drivers of global biodiversity loss: from deforestation and wetland drainage for farmland to excessive use of agrochemicals, and more. Habitat destruction and resource-heavy farming weaken vital ecosystem functions like pollination and natural pest control, putting both nature and farming systems at risk. In fact, agricultural expansion threatens 86 percent of species at risk of extinction. To stop this trend—and reverse it—we must transform how farms are planned, managed, and connected to their surrounding landscapes. 

What’s in the standard? 

• Minimum requirements for natural vegetation help maintain or restore native habitat patches that support pollinators, birds, and natural pest control. This includes maintaining the farm’s natural tree cover—providing a habitat for wildlife and insects, protecting against wind and erosion, and increasing climate resilience. 
• Expanded agroforestry requirements with species tracking to require that tree cover includes a rich mix of native or naturalized tree species that support wildlife corridors; provide habitats for birds; and attract pollinators, microorganisms, and small mammals.  
• Nature-friendly pest control. Farmers must have a yearly pest management plan that includes observation, monitoring, and prevention—not just spraying. This might include using natural enemies, planting repellent plants, or applying targeted treatments only when necessary. 
• Monitored and reduced chemical use over time. Farmers must start collecting data on what pesticides they use and in what amounts. These records help illustrate the extent of their pesticide use over time and encourage farmers to look for safer, more sustainable alternatives. By 2028, farmers must phase out all exceptionally harmful pesticides. 
• Protected farm biodiversity from the ground up. Integrated weed management includes letting some beneficial weeds grow; these soft weeds or flowering plants support insect life and help reduce the need for herbicides. They may have a wide variety of beneficial traits, like medicinal properties or providing a food source for people or other animals. 

Conventional agricultural expansion and poor land management are straining water resources worldwide. Erosion and chemical runoff pollute waterways, reduce groundwater recharge, and contribute to seasonal shortages. With farming responsible for 70 percent of global freshwater use, regenerative practices could have an immense impact on easing water stress and protecting ecosystems for the long term. 

What’s in the standard? 

• Farm-level water risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities in water availability, quality, and usage. This helps tailor water stewardship to local conditions, such as drought exposure, water rights, or competition from nearby users. 
• Soil and water conservation techniques—such as terracing, mulching, and contour planting (i.e., planting along the natural shape of the land). These practices reduce runoff and increase infiltration, which in turn supports soil moisture and recharges groundwater.  
• Protection of riparian buffer zones to shield waterways from sedimentation and agrochemical runoff, while supporting biodiversity and stabilizing riverbanks. 
• Water-efficient irrigation. We require farms to use water-saving irrigation systems and adjust them based on soil type, crop needs, and rainfall. From the first audit, farmers begin tracking their water use. This helps identify leaks or inefficiencies and prevents issues like salinization, waterlogging, or depletion of aquifers. 
• Rainwater harvesting. Where possible, farms collect and store rainwater from rooftops or small catchments to use in irrigation or for cleaning—reducing their dependence on rivers or groundwater and buffering against dry spells. 
• Community water stewardship. Farms and farm groups must engage in collective efforts—such as joining local watershed groups or collaborating with neighbors to reduce pollution and restore wetlands. This landscape-level focus helps protect water sources shared by entire farming communities. 
• Processing facilities must reduce water use. If a farm group has centralized processing units (like coffee washing stations or tea withering sheds), they are required to measure and lower the amount of water used per unit of product—lessening the burden on local water sources. 

For a regenerative approach to work in the long run, it needs to improve not just the land, but the lives of the people who steward it.  When farmers and workers are safe, healthy, and earning a stable income—when their children can go to school and their futures are secure—they are better able and more motivated to care for the land. This people-first approach is not only a matter of principle; it’s an essential pathway to environmental resilience and regeneration. Volatile markets, rising input costs, limited access to credit, and unstable farmgate prices are some of the economic challenges that can entrench poverty and accelerate environmental degradation. Yet our monitoring and evaluation findings in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Honduras have shown that regenerative agriculture can improve farm profitability by boosting yields and reducing input costs. 

What’s in the standard?  

• An assess-and-address approach to human rights helps farmers and farm workers respond to concerns of child labor, forced labor, discrimination, workplace violence, and harassment. The standard includes requirements around risk mitigation, monitoring, and remediation. It also includes training on occupational health and safety, including the proper uses of PPE and machinery. 
• Credible regenerative claims that can support access to premium markets, offer financial incentives that reward farmers for their regenerative efforts, helping ensure long-term adoption. When farmers are supported to regenerate their land—and connect with buyers who value those efforts—they’re better equipped to thrive in the long term. 
• Additional income opportunities provided by choosing profitable tree species for agroforestry. 
• Soil health practices that help farmers lower their input costs and improve crop performance—all while rebuilding the foundation of their farms.