REGENERATIVE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE: THE FUTURE OF FOOD
REGENERATIVE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE: THE FUTURE OF FOOD
In the present world, sustainable agriculture is not just a choice – it is imperative. Our flawed food systems contribute to a third of the world's human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, causing damage to the planet. As this continues, food insecurity grows alongside it. By 2050, we expect food demand to increase by over 50%, yet major crop yields could drop due to climate change.
The USDA reports that maintaining regenerative practices can sequester up to 15 tons of carbon per acre per year as well as help produce more crops. Less food insecurity means the potential to eradicate undernutrition by 2050, preventing 174 million premature deaths and empowering 400 million farmworkers to earn a sustainable income.
At SIMPLi, we align ourselves with the Regenerative Organic Certification® from the Regenerative Organic Alliance, which sets the highest standards in the world for social welfare, animal welfare, and soil health. This certification is built on organic practices and requires the USDA Organic certification, but also includes Fair for Life practices to ensure better livelihoods for farmers. Pursuing certifications creates accountability for us and for our farming partners to ensure we’re doing the work we say we are behind the scenes.
The Regenerative Organic Certification® standards offer a path forward in addressing pressing issues in agriculture and food production like soil erosion, limited water resources, and declining biodiversity. However, the practices of regenerative organic farming have been around for thousands of years. Indigenous communities have long been environmental stewards, maintaining biodiversity through their responsible land management practices. By learning from Indigenous communities around the world and restoring these ancient methods of farming, we are not merely solving the issues of today—we are regenerating full ecosystems and fostering a better future for the next generation.
“WE CAN’T SPEAK ABOUT REGENERATIVE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE WITHOUT SPEAKING ABOUT INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURE.” – SIMPLi CO-FOUNDER SARELA HERRADA
DON'T SUSTAIN, REGENERATE
SO, WHAT IS REGENERATIVE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE?
Regenerative organic agriculture is a farming method that aims to improve the health of the land. It focuses on enhancing ecosystems, increasing biodiversity, and improving soil quality. This approach differs from conventional agriculture because it employs farming practices that emulate natural ecosystems and work with nature instead of against it. Regenerative organic farming practices also boost food security, sequester more carbon, and strengthen our food systems for greater resiliency.
KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE REGENERATIVE ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
Soil Health
Soil is at the heart of all living systems. Caring for soil is the foundation for better farming practices and ensures longevity for our food systems. The regenerative organic certification emphasizes the significance of nurturing healthy soil for greater ecosystem sustainability. Practices like cover cropping, composting, and minimal tillage help improve soil structure and fertility. We use testing to validate the health of our farm’s soil.
Animal Welfare
Farming animals and local wildlife are vital to the regenerative ecosystem and deserve respect and care. The regenerative organic certification requires that farm animals have open spaces, natural diets, and proper living conditions to support their overall well-being.
Social Fairness
The regenerative organic certification ensures fair wages and safe working conditions for all farmers. We at SIMPLi go a step further through our Regenerative Pathway Program (RPP) by supporting farming communities with engagement and empowerment initiatives.
THE PATHWAY TO REGENERATION
We at SIMPLi believe that regeneration is a journey, and we support farmers’ transition from conventional farming, transitional organic farming, or organic farming all the way up to the gold standard: Regenerative Organic Certified® farming. Our Regenerative Pathway Program (RPP) supports and incentivizes our farming partners to achieve and maintain their Regenerative Organic Certification®.
Regenerative Pathway Program (RPP)
Our RPP is an initiative created to uplift and empower farmers on their journey to becoming Regenerative Organic Certified®. SIMPLi equips farmers with the resources, knowledge, and skills needed to successfully transition to each new certification level. Furthermore, this program extends beyond the scope of certifications—it’s a catalyst for positive social change. By investing in communities, our approach creates a domino effect that fuels long-term economic stability and uplifts communities worldwide.
The Journey to Regeneration
Conventional Farming
Synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, forest clearing, and farming practices that prioritize high yields and efficiency are employed by conventional farms. In many cases, these farming methods lead to soil erosion and toxic runoff, negatively impacting the health of the planet and people.
Transitional Organic Farming
At this stage, some conventional methods are used but more regenerative practices are employed. This process can take up to three years as we work to eliminate all chemicals as part of the organic standard.
Organic Farming
After a farm undergoes three years without synthetic chemicals and adopts all organic practices, the USDA certifies the farm as Organic. Today, most communities we work with start at this phase.
Regenerative Organic Certified® Farming
Building upon organic practices, regenerative farming focuses on natural habitat and ecosystem restoration, improving soil health, and implementing conservation tillage for better carbon sequestration. Regenerative organic farming is different from organic farming in that it establishes a more holistic approach to land management and full ecosystem sustainability. To complete the journey, the Regenerative Organic Alliance audits the farm to ensure its practices adhere to the certification’s standards.
Once certified, our farming partners can now enjoy the full benefits of SIMPLi’s Regenerative Pathway Program (RPP), which includes 108+ hours of classes each year on a range of topics like marketing, management, accounting, and law. They also have unlimited access to SIMPLi’s Lima office, workshops with leaders, and many more resources.
HOW DO WE CERTIFY OUR REGENERATIVE ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES?
Direct Supply Chains
As we grew our direct supply chains globally, we collaborated closely with farmers to guarantee the authenticity and quality of our products while fairly compensating them. Our direct supply chains allow us to support the progression of more farms towards the Regenerative Organic Certification®. For us, the certification process is a journey towards a gold standard, and our regenerative operations team is dedicated to establishing and fostering connections with our partner farmers as they move towards regeneration. In Peru, our community managers Mario and Carlos spend their time visiting our farming communities across the country and providing resources, knowledge, and incentives as part of the Regenerative Organic Program (RPP).
Soil Health Audits
We use soil health tests in the fields to assess the vitality of our farms and their adherence to the Regenerative Organic Certification® standards. These tests, supported by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, are essential to the certification process and maintenance to ensure the soil at our farms meet the highest standards. These tests also provide our team with valuable insights about the positive impact of our work in improving social and environmental ecosystems at the farm level.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
Regenerative Organic Certified® differs from other certifications by building upon the USDA Organic Standard, emphasizing practices that actively improve soil health and environmental biodiversity, while also supporting social fairness and animal welfare. Some of the regenerative farming methods include cover cropping and crop rotations, promoting a holistic approach to farming that prioritizes environmental stewardship and community well-being.
At SIMPLi, we proudly embraced regenerative organic practices early on in our journey. We are the first ingredients brand to be Regenerative Organic Certified® in South America for our grains and beans, one of the first in Greece for our beans. Our innovative approach to sourcing looks to the land to inform product innovation and prioritizes ingredients that benefit the regenerative organic ecosystem like cover crops and sustainable ingredients such as quinoa, amaranth, and lupini beans.
Our Regenerative Organic Certified® products are sourced from communities around the world, spanning from South American countries like Peru, Argentina, and Paraguay, to European countries like Greece and Ukraine. If you want to learn more about where we source our products from and see our direct supply chains, visit our sourcing page. To dive deeper into the stories from our farming communities around the world, check out our sourcing blogs.
It is true that our Regenerative Organic Certified® products have a higher price tag than conventional products, but customers are getting so much more from these premium products. The certification ensures the use of natural fertilizers, organic animal feed, and regenerative techniques that restore habitats and ecosystems in the growing process. Unlike conventional farms, we avoid synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and monocropping when growing our ingredients. Our sustainable methods result in smaller, more meticulously nurtured harvests, and therefore a higher quality, more delicious and nutrient-dense product. Choosing Regenerative Organic Certified® ingredients is a small, tangible investment you as a consumer can make in nourishing your body with the best quality ingredients and building a better future to sustain our planet’s limited resources. In our humble opinion, these small upfront costswill pay off in spades.