Regenerative Farms Boast Healthier Crops & Soil Than Conventional Farms

Regenerative agriculture (aka regenerative farming) is a holistic, sustainable approach to farming that aims to restore the nutrient content of the soil with conservation and rehabilitation measures. 

The PeerJ study compared the soil health and nutrient density of crops at regenerative and conventional farms in eight different states across the country. Each regenerative farm was paired with a conventionally managed farm close by. 

Both grew the same type of crop in the same kind of soil, then sent their crops to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University to be evaluated for B vitamins (specifically, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and B6), plus vitamins C, E, and K, as well as a slew of minerals (including magnesium, iron, sodium, phosphorous, calcium, copper, and zinc) and phytochemicals (i.e., total phenols, total phytosterols, and total carotenoids). 

This groundbreaking study confirms what we at mbg have known all along to be true: Regenerative farming is better for the environment and our health. While the type and quantity of nutrients varied by crop and farm, the nutritional value of crops produced with regenerative practices was profoundly higher than those farmed conventionally. 

It's also worth noting that the soil health significantly affected the phytochemical levels of the produce. Healthier soil resulted in dramatically higher phytochemical content, which positively affects our nutrition by promoting immune health and longevity. While the research in this field is ongoing, the evidence shown in this preliminary study indicates that regenerative agriculture has the potential to restore the nutritional quality of our food if implemented properly.