Unit 5
Agriculture and Economics
For any production system to be sustainable, it has to be economically viable. However, that shouldn’t be taken to the extent of exploitation. Regenerative agriculture strives to create a food system where the true costs and benefits of food production are accounted for.
Economic Pressures on Agriculture
Faster, cheaper, more - the descent into the “get big or get out” approach to agriculture that’s taking the system down the drain.
Videos:
VPRO Documentary
A documentary about our economic model and the idea of a new one.
Bioneers
“This video is part of a series called "Seeding the Field: 30 Years of Transformative Solutions," which celebrates some of the best moments of the Bioneers conference through the last 30 years.”
Articles and Reports:
"An Overview of Beginning Farms and Farmers"
This report uses information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS, 2013 to 2017) to describe the structural and economic characteristics of beginning farms and illustrate how they differ from more established operations.
Source: USDA (pdf)
"Regenerative Agriculture Industry Map"
“The first graphical map of the Regenerative Agriculture Industry.
Companies, investors, organizations, and farms are included in this map based on the following criteria:
They explicitly use the term “Regenerative Agriculture” or “Regenerative Farming” in public-facing communications.
Or they invest financial capital into an entity meeting Criteria 1.”
Source: Ethan Soloviev
"It All Adds Up: The True Cost of Farming"
“For most farmers, the decision to use chemical fertilizers is an easy one. For every ton of ammonium nitrate a farmer uses, he pays $387 and sees a return of between $666 and $2,066—as much as 500 percent. The math simply makes sense.
Or at least it appears to.”
Source: Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
Government Role in Agricultural Economics
Big government doesn’t have to be painful. It’s just a matter of focus.
Articles:
"California Healthy Soils Initiative"
“A combination of innovative farm and land management practices [can] contribute to building adequate soil organic matter that can increase carbon sequestration and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.”
Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
Economics Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture builds healthy soil and healthy bank accounts.
Videos:
General Mills
Understanding Ag consultants talk with General Mills about the importance of creating and maintaining an economic benefit by implementing regenerative practices on farming operations.
Articles:
"Farm Study: Regenerative Ag Practices Increase Profits"
Farm Study: Regenerative Ag Practices Increase Profits, Improve Soil Health
Source: No Till Farmer
"Soil Health Case Studies"
Nine compelling and easy-to-read two-page soil health economic case studies.
Farmland Information Center
