My Introduction to Regenerative Organics
Thoughts from Pocono Organics’ Stephanie Muiraia
The concept of Regenerative Organics may seem complex; but, what it really comes down to is three simple concepts: soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. I know, you’re thinking, “Can three focuses really make that much of a difference?”, well, the answer is YES!
As part of the Pocono Organics’ team here at North America’s Largest Regenerative Organic Certified Farm, I’d like to invite you to take a few moments to scroll through my post and see for yourself how the power of these three pillars combined can revitalize the earth, one farm at a time.
Soil Health
I’d like to reference the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), adoption of regenerative organic methods that can create solutions for some of today’s most pressing issues, including climate change. Take a moment to read, breathe it in, and reflect. As most of us are concerned about the hole in the ozone, we overlook the fact that by nourishing our earth, it takes care of us. We just need to give it the tools it needs to thrive.
Regenerative organic agriculture addresses this by using cover crops, crop rotation, conservation tillage and rotational grazing (more on that later) to replenish the soil’s organic matter. Healthy soil, abundant with minerals, nutrients, and microorganisms, helps plants thrive without the need for additives. It also helps prevent erosion and sequesters more carbon from the atmosphere. By producing healthy soil, we are giving plants and microorganisms an ideal environment where they can process more carbon from the atmosphere and keep it underground, where it belongs.
Animal Welfare
Swaying from conventional farming techniques, regenerative organic agriculture focuses on improving the management of livestock. A main practice is the use of rotational grazing (told you I’d come back to it!) which is exactly as it sounds. Livestock are contained and moved from one paddock to the next. This allows all paddocks not in use to recover and strengthen their roots, which leads to higher carbon sequestering. The livestock also produce natural fertilizer which is used throughout the farming process.
Social Fairness
While most people can agree that farming takes hard work and dedication, very few of us ever stop and think about the conditions agricultural workers may, at times, face. Along with being potentially exposed to harmful chemicals, some are underpaid and expected to work in certain conditions. Regenerative organic agriculture seeks to change this and bring a higher standard of employee welfare to the field. The Regenerative Organic Alliance acknowledges this making employee welfare and social fairness one of their main pillars—meaning if a farm doesn’t pay, treat, or provide their employees with proper compensation, they would not qualify for Regenerative Organic Certification—even if they go above and beyond in the other two categories.
Together We Can
Taking organic farming leaps forward, Pocono Organics is proud to have the ROC label giving consumers peace of mind knowing that their products were grown in the most nutrient dense soil, cared for by fairly treated employees, and are some of the cleanest products they can buy.
We eat three times a day. That’s three chances we can make a conscious effort to make our dollars count and support local regenerative organic farms. Need more proof? Pop by Pocono Organics and taste their produce. The heightened flavor is second only to the increased nutritional value each bite provides.
Want to Learn More?
My “point-of-view” post serves as a light introduction to regenerative organic agriculture. If you’re interested in learning more, follow PoconoOrganics.com and be sure to stay tuned for future posts like “The difference between organic agriculture and regenerative agriculture.”