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Organic is Regenerative

Organic is a leading form of ecologically regenerative agriculture. Decades of research demonstrate that organic farms build healthy soils, fight climate change, increase their resilience to extreme weather, and support healthy communities. Policymakers, companies, and institutions that want to invest in regenerative practices should understand that organic is a leading form of regenerative agriculture and a proven way to meet sustainability goals.

Resources about Regenerative Benefits of Organic

The following resources provide research-backed insights on the regenerative benefits of organic farming, with citations to scientific studies.

  • Organic is Regenerative Toolkit (Organic Farming Research Foundation) - this toolkit provides a suite of messaging tools (including social media graphics and a slide deck) that are designed to help organic advocates clearly articulate the benefits of organic farming systems and their regenerative attributes.

  • Organic is Regenerative Message Mapping Spreadsheet (Organic Farming Research Foundation) - this resource provides supporting evidence for organic’s regenerative attributes and a resource list (2nd tab of this spreadsheet) of reports and studies to support the ‘organic is regenerative’ claim.

  • Organic is Regenerative Fact Sheet (Friends of the Earth) - this fact sheet includes a chart that shows how the broad goals of regenerative agriculture are legal requirements for organic producers, as codified in the Code of Federal Regulations.

  • Organic is Regenerative Science Brief (Friends of the Earth) - with robust citations, this science brief includes information about the ways in which organic agriculture prioritizes soil health, makes farms more resilient, improves carbon sequestration, reduces emissions and energy use, protects biodiversity, improves human health and well being.

  • Elevating Truly Regenerative Agriculture – Statement from the Organic Movement (IFOAM) - this statement from IFOAM-Organics International explains how the organic movement welcomes the focus on regenerative principles and practices, as these are at the heart of organic agriculture. Serious regenerative actors are our natural allies. At the same time, the organic movement is alarmed by the widespread, misleading use of “regenerative” in corporate branding and certifications, where highly degenerative practices like use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers is common.

  • White Paper - Concerns with Regenerative Agriculture Labels (Organic Voices) - a review of several new labels for regenerative agriculture raises concerns about the strength of these labels. Unlike organic agriculture, which is defined both by global stakeholder consensus and in federal law and regulations, there is no consensus or legal definition for regenerative agriculture. For consumers looking to purchase foods from farms or ranches that meet standards for regenerative agriculture, the regenerative labels examined in this white paper fall short in several critical ways.

Resources about Benefits of Organic

Other reports, resources, and tools with information about the benefits of organic:

  • Organic Retailer Toolkit (U.S. Department of Agriculture) - published in 2024, the purpose of this toolkit is to raise consumers’ awareness of, and trust in, the organic label. The information about the unique attributes of organic food is based on the organic regulations and the process USDA uses to develop and enforce those regulations.

  • Organic Opportunity Communications Toolkit (Organic Trade Association) - The Organic Trade Association has developed a data-driven communications toolkit to empower the organic community to effectively educate on the requirements and attributes of organic.

  • Organic is the Answer (Organically Grown Company) - this website educates consumers about the benefits of organic farming and the reasons why choosing organic is good for your health and the health of the planet. The website includes a toolkit for retailers and social media messages.

  • Grow Organic: The Climate, Health, and Economic Case for Expanding Organic Agriculture (NRDC) - a 2022 report describing the climate, health, and economic benefits of organic agriculture.

  • Organic Benefits Report (CCOF) - published in 2019, this report contains a comprehensive compilation of peer-reviewed research and scientific data on the economic, environmental, and social benefits of organic agriculture.

  • Why Organic? (IFOAM) - the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) – Organics International has detailed information on their website about the far-ranging benefits of organic agriculture.

  • Learn the Truth About Organic (Friends of the Earth ) - Organic farmers produce abundant food without the use of an estimated 17,000 pesticide products allowed in non-organic agriculture. Learn the top 10 truths about organic.

  • Organic Agriculture (USDA Economic Research Service) - Economic data and market analysis of the organic sector from USDA’s Economic Research Service.

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