Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the last few years the grocery industry has been filled with ‘regenerative this, regenerative that’. But what is it, really? And how is it different from organic or even the lesser-known term, agroecology? 

And, maybe more importantly, why does it matter? 

Regenerative agriculture, while currently lacking a definitive definition, can generally be understood to mean a collection of farming practices that focus on restoring soil health as the foundation of the entire farm ecosystem. Regenerative agriculture tends to have a narrow focus on soil fertility, biodiversity, and carbon capture through a variety of techniques like reduced tillage, cover cropping, and managed grazing. 

Organic vs. Regenerative

You might be thinking, that sounds a lot like organic farming and you’re not wrong. The USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) requires farms to use practices that cycle resources, conserve biodiversity, and preserve ecological balance. Commonly implemented organic practices include natural fertilizer use, eco-friendly pest control, and no GMO usage. So how does one begin to tease these two ideas apart? 

While both farming approaches fall cleanly into the canon of ‘good agricultural practices’, the biggest difference is focus. Organic farming is input-based and defined by a clear set of standards; regenerative is outcome-based, placing soil health and the ability to track and measure it at the center of every decision. Proponents of regenerative agriculture will argue its principles set out to restore ecosystems, where organic aims simply to reduce harm to ecosystems. The crux of this argument being organic didn’t go ‘far enough’. 

Fairtrade America would offer there is one critical component missing entirely from this conversation and these farming approaches - the farmer.  

The agricultural industry, retailer buyers, and consumers alike can debate regenerative versus organic all day long, but until we consider the farmers, we’re missing the point. 

That’s where agroecology comes in

Agroecology seeks to optimize the interactions between plants, animals, humans, and the environment while taking into consideration the social aspects that need to be addressed for a sustainable and fair food system. From a practical standpoint, agroecology supports and encourages both regenerative and organic practices, including many of the ones listed above.

While the differences between these terms may seem slight, agroecology is the only approach that recognizes environmentally-friendly practices and farmer financial wellbeing are interdependent. As such, economic modeling is a foundational consideration for any truly sustainable agriculture approach. The technical outcomes lauded by regenerative agriculture enthusiasts are often established in silo of the requirement for additional funding for farmers to implement these principles, risking undue financial burden on farmers and workers. Without the financial support to implement it, regenerative risks becoming a marketing tool rather than a true step in sustainability.  

Sustainability isn’t just a label – why Fairtrade chooses a farmer-centered approach 

Agroecology makes sure the financial and social dynamics are not forgotten in a strictly technical approach to going green, which is why at Fairtrade, agroecology is front-and-center in our sustainable approach to agriculture. Fairtrade supports farmers to take up composting, transition away from agrochemical use, apply cover crops, improve agrobiodiversity through intercropping and agroforestry, and adopt efficient water management practices – all while trading at or above the Fairtrade Minimum Price and Premium.

Fairtrade farmers and producers are supported in implementing these practices through a pricing model that considers the requirements for farmers to meet these environmental standards. In addition, on the ground training, technical support, and programming provided by Fairtrade are built to support farmer knowledge where needed, at no additional cost.

By centering farmers and combining ecological health with social and economic wellbeing, Fairtrade turns principles into practice. In other words, sustainability isn’t just a label, it’s a living system, one that grows stronger every time we choose to support it. So, the next time you hear regenerative, organic, or agroecology, remember: the impact is only as real as the people and communities behind the food.