--- title: "How Our Regenerative Agriculture Standard Drives Impact" slug: "how-our-regenerative-agriculture-standard-drives-impact" updated: 2025-09-08T08:03:03Z published: 2025-09-08T08:03:03Z excludeFromExternalSearch: true --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.rainforest-alliance.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How Our Regenerative Agriculture Standard Drives Impact When we initially started designing our Regenerative Agriculture Standard, we knew one thing for sure: “regenerative” should be more than a label—it should be a measurable outcome. Now that it’s here, we are leaning on this concept to help scale up the global transition to a model of agriculture that gives back more than it takes. While the standard itself is a recent development, regenerative practices and principles are nothing new to the Rainforest Alliance. In many ways, this is the standard we’ve been writing since our early days. Drawing on decades of learning from our certification program, landscape work, and field projects, we have built a standard that helps farmers and companies turn their regenerative ambition into real-world impact. But when we talk about impact, what exactly do we mean, and how do we achieve it? In this article, we break down how the standard drives positive change for people and nature. The following sections—highlighting the five key impact areas—are linked to a set of specific practices and tied to a broader data framework that helps us measure and understand real progress. ### **Restoring the foundation: soil health and fertility** Degraded soils are eroding the productivity of farms around the world, and in turn, fueling deforestation to expand farmland—especially where monocultures and other intensive growing practices remain the norm. Research shows that [one in five hectares](https://wad.jrc.ec.europa.eu/download) [of farmland](https://www.unccd.int/sites/default/files/sessions/documents/2019-03/ICCD_CRIC%2817%29_2-1822319E.pdf) is already degraded, reducing crop yields and increasing vulnerability to drought and disease. Without urgent action, soil health will continue its spiraling decline, throwing farmers into even greater economic hardship, uncertainty and threatening global food security. **What’s in the standard?** - **Detailed soil and leaf sampling**to provide data on nutrient imbalances, organic matter content, and plant health. - **Targeted fertilizer application**guided by soil testing results****and a nutrient management plan. This reduces nutrient leaching, soil acidification, and microbial disruption in the long term. - **Use of compost and organic matter**to enhance soil microbial activity, water-holding capacity, and nutrient cycling—naturally building fertility while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. - **Progressive targets for permanent soil cover**, such as mulch or cover crops.****This protects topsoil from erosion and moderate temperature fluctuations, suppresses weeds, and sustains microbial life essential for nutrient availability. ### **Preparing for the future: building climate resilience** Evidence shows that regenerative approaches better equip farmers to cope with the impacts of climate change—from shifting rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts to a corresponding uptick in pests and diseases. In one [study](https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/resource-item/raising-the-bar-regenerative-agriculture-for-more-resilient-agro-ecosystems-white-paper/), farms that adopted a regenerative approach during a season of heavy fungal infestation saw nearly no yield loss, while neighboring farms saw yields fall by more than 50 percent. **What’s in the standard?** - **Establishing agroforestry systems** that incorporate shade trees and organic cover like leaf litter and mulch. These practices have numerous benefits: shade cover regulates local microclimates and increase carbon sequestration, leaf litter increases moisture retention, and the presence of more tree roots stabilizes the soil. By fostering biodiversity both above and below ground, agroforestry makes farming ecosystems more robust and adaptable. - **Prioritizing climate-resilient plant varieties** to ensure crops can tolerate stresses, such as drought, heat, or shifting pest pressures. By choosing crops that are adapted to local conditions, farmers are more likely to have stable crop yields. - **Renovating and rehabilitating crops on a regular cycle**to keep farms productive and resilient. For example, coffee farmers must renovate old trees every 5–9 years to maintain yield and profitability. Renovation practices must be tailored to individual regions or farm needs and may include, for example, grafting scions onto established trees, pruning diseased branches, or replacing old trees to suit local conditions. - **Requiring integrated weed management planning** to promote reduced or no herbicide use, and boost overall system resilience under climate stress. This approach combines cultural techniques (like letting low-growing, non-invasive weeds remain in place to protect the soil and suppress more aggressive species) with mechanical (removing weeds by hand) and biological ones (introducing natural predators or parasites). ### **Bringing nature back to farms: boosting biodiversity** Conventional agriculture and ongoing agriculture expansion are the biggest drivers of global biodiversity loss: from deforestation and wetland drainage for farmland to excessive use of agrochemicals, and more. Habitat destruction and resource-heavy farming weaken vital ecosystem functions like pollination and natural pest control, putting both nature and farming systems at risk. In fact, agricultural expansion threatens [86 percent of species](https://www.ipbes.net/global-assessment) at risk of extinction. To stop this trend—and reverse it—we must transform how farms are planned, managed, and connected to their surrounding landscapes. **What’s in the standard?** - **Minimum requirements for natural vegetation** help maintain or restore native habitat patches that support pollinators, birds, and natural pest control. This includes maintaining the farm’s natural tree cover—providing a habitat for wildlife and insects, protecting against wind and erosion, and increasing climate resilience. - **Expanded agroforestry requirements with species tracking** to require that tree cover includes a rich mix of native or naturalized tree species that support wildlife corridors; provide habitats for birds; and attract pollinators, microorganisms, and small mammals. - **Nature-friendly pest control.** Farmers must have a yearly pest management plan that includes observation, monitoring, and prevention—not just spraying. This might include using natural enemies, planting repellent plants, or applying targeted treatments only when necessary. - **Monitored and reduced chemical use**over time. Farmers must start collecting data on what pesticides they use and in what amounts. These records help illustrate the extent of their pesticide use over time and encourage farmers to look for safer, more sustainable alternatives. By 2028, farmers must [phase out](https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/business/certification/qa-our-updated-policy-on-pesticides/) all exceptionally harmful pesticides. - **Protected farm biodiversity from the ground up**.****Integrated weed management includes letting some beneficial weeds grow; these soft weeds or flowering plants support insect life and help reduce the need for herbicides. They may have a wide variety of beneficial traits, like medicinal properties or providing a food source for people or other animals. ### **Conserving our most critical resource: water** Conventional agricultural expansion and poor land management are straining water resources worldwide. Erosion and chemical runoff pollute waterways, reduce groundwater recharge, and contribute to seasonal shortages. With farming responsible for [70 percent](https://www.unwater.org/publications/un-world-water-development-report-2023) of global freshwater use, regenerative practices could have an immense impact on easing water stress and protecting ecosystems for the long term. **What’s in the standard?** - **Farm-level water risk assessments**to identify vulnerabilities in water availability, quality, and usage. This helps tailor water stewardship to local conditions, such as drought exposure, water rights, or competition from nearby users. - **Soil and water conservation techniques**—such as terracing, mulching, and contour planting (i.e., planting along the natural shape of the land). These practices reduce runoff and increase infiltration, which in turn supports soil moisture and recharges groundwater.** - **Protection of riparian buffer zones**to****shield waterways from sedimentation and agrochemical runoff, while supporting biodiversity and stabilizing riverbanks. - **Water-efficient irrigation.**We require farms to use water-saving irrigation systems and adjust them based on soil type, crop needs, and rainfall. From the first audit, farmers begin tracking their water use. This helps identify leaks or inefficiencies and prevents issues like salinization, waterlogging, or depletion of aquifers. - **Rainwater harvesting.** Where possible, farms collect and store rainwater from rooftops or small catchments to use in irrigation or for cleaning—reducing their dependence on rivers or groundwater and buffering against dry spells. - **Community water stewardship.** Farms and farm groups must engage in collective efforts—such as joining local watershed groups or collaborating with neighbors to reduce pollution and restore wetlands. This landscape-level focus helps protect water sources shared by entire farming communities. - **Processing facilities must reduce water use.** If a farm group has centralized processing units (like coffee washing stations or tea withering sheds), they are required to measure and lower the amount of water used per unit of product—lessening the burden on local water sources. ### **Regeneration that works for farmers: strengthening livelihoods** For a regenerative approach to work in the long run, it needs to improve not just the land, but the lives of the people who steward it. When farmers and workers are safe, healthy, and earning a stable income—when their children can go to school and their futures are secure—they are better able and more motivated to care for the land. This people-first approach is not only a matter of principle; it’s an essential pathway to environmental resilience and regeneration. Volatile markets, rising input costs, limited access to credit, and unstable farmgate prices are some of the economic challenges that can entrench poverty and accelerate environmental degradation. Yet our monitoring and evaluation findings in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Honduras have shown that regenerative agriculture can improve farm profitability by boosting yields and reducing input costs. **What’s in the standard?** - **Credible regenerative claims**that can support access to more rewarding markets, offer financial incentives that reward farmers for their regenerative efforts, helping ensure long-term adoption. When farmers are supported to regenerate their land—and connect with buyers who value those efforts—they’re better equipped to thrive in the long term. - **Additional income opportunities**provided by choosing profitable tree species for agroforestry. - **Soil health practices**that help farmers lower their input costs and improve crop performance—all while rebuilding the foundation of their farms. - **An assess-and-address approach to human rights** helps farmers and farm workers respond to concerns of child labor, forced labor, discrimination, workplace violence, and harassment. The standard includes requirements around risk mitigation, monitoring, and remediation. It also includes training on occupational health and safety, including the proper uses of PPE and machinery. ### **Tracking what matters: a data-driven approach** Putting regenerative practices in place is a start, but what comes next is just as important. That’s why the standard includes a robust data framework designed to support continuous improvement and track key indicators over time. For companies, this means practical guidance and data points they can use to help meet their regenerative goals—like SDGs or net-zero targets—and assess supply chain risks. For farmers, it’s a tool to understand what’s working and where to improve. For us, it ensures that “regenerative” is more than a label—it’s real, measurable progress. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/929f3fed-0f9d-454a-80e4-d7496bf45e88/Images/Documentation/Regen Ag requirement thresholds and targets.jpg) ### **Get certified: how to start** As we roll out our Regenerative Agriculture Standard—starting with coffee in 2026 and expanding to other crops at a later date—we’re supporting our partners with crop-specific guidance and tools that reflect local realities. It’s this grounding that makes our Regenerative Agriculture Certification meaningful, valuable, and credible among farmers. To start your regenerative journey with us, visit our [Regenerative Agriculture Certification](https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/for-business/certification/regenerative-agriculture-certification) page or get in touch with us.