Regenerative Certifications

Regenerative Organic Certified® is a revolutionary new certification for food, apparel, and personal care ingredients. Regenerative Organic Certified® farms and products meet the highest standards in the world for soil health, animal welfare, and farmworker fairness.

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With regenerative organic agriculture, we can rehabilitate soil, respect animal welfare, and improve the lives of farmers. We can sequester carbon, build healthier communities, and reap more nutritious and abundant yields.

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In practice, regenerative organic agriculture can look like cover cropping, crop rotation, low- to no-till, compost, and zero use of persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

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All Regenerative Organic Certified® products and farms must also meet the requirements of the USDA Organic Certification.

• The goal of Regenerative Organic Certified® is to promote holistic agriculture practices in an all-encompassing certification that:
  • Increases soil organic matter over time and sequesters carbon below and above ground, which could be a tool to mitigate climate change;
  • Improves animal welfare; and
  • Provides economic stability and fairness for farmers, ranchers, and workers.
• To achieve Regenerative Organic Certified®, an entity must first hold USDA organic certification or an international equivalent formally recognized by the National Organic Program (NOP). Regenerative Organic Certified® adds criteria and builds off the NOP and equivalent standards.
• There are three levels of Regenerative Organic Certified®: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Bronze represents the beginning level, and Gold represents the highest achievable level in regenerative organic production. This tiered approach enables producers to adjust and adapt their practices over time and allows for continuous improvement. Annual recertification audits are required at all levels.
  • Bronze level: At least 10% of fiber-or food-producing land within an operation must be certified at initial certification and must reach at least 50% by year five. Alternatively, the certified portion may represent at least 10% of the operation’s revenue derived from food or fiber production.
  • Silver level: At least 50% of fiber-or food-producing land, or revenue from Regenerative Organic Certified® crops, within an operation must be certified at initial certification and must reach at least 75% by year five. Alternatively, the certified portion may represent at least 50% of the operation’s revenue derived from food or fiber production.
  • Gold level: 100% of fiber-or food-producing land of an operation must be certified, representing 100% of revenue derived from food or fiber production.
• Learn more about the Regenerative Organic Certification

Land to Market is working to heal the planet by restoring its grasslands. We are giving a voice to the land by working with brands to source raw materials, like meat, dairy, wool, and leather, from land that is verified regenerative. ‍

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How do these products heal the land?

Regenerative agriculture promotes soil health, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and water cycle restoration. By purchasing Land to Market verified products from brands that support regenerative agriculture, you can give back to the land upon which we all depend.

• All products bearing the Land to Market certification must source their ingredients from farms that have achieved Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV).
• EOV is a soil and landscape assessment method that tracks outcomes in biodiversity, water, soil health, and ecosystem function (i.e. water cycle, mineral cycle, energy flow, and community dynamics). 
• EOV does not dictate what practices are allowed or prohibited on a farm, instead only measuring outcomes in the areas mentioned. 
• The farm or ranch needs at least one year of short-term monitoring that shows positive trending data to receive Ecological Outcome Verification, at which point farms with eligible products have the opportunity to participate in the Land to Market certification. 
• On a subsequent five-year interval, an accredited EOV Monitor returns to the farm to conduct long-term monitoring. If data confirms positive trends in short-term monitoring then verification is granted or renewed.
• To learn more about the Land to Market and Ecological Outcome Verifcation (EOV) see these resources: 
  • EOV Protocol Overview‍‍
  • Land to Market Overview

Regenified's 6-3-4 Verification Standard‍

Our regenerative certification framework is based on the measurement of practices and outcomes and backed by science through extensive on-field and in-lab testing and data collection. It allows farmers to adopt and scale regenerative practices confidently and enables us to measure, verify, and validate their efforts appropriately. Together, we’re creating greater trust, transparency, and traceability in the supply chain.

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‍Regenified’s solution is not to conquer nature but to collaborate with it.

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‍Regenerative agriculture focuses on restoring the health of the entire ecosystem. It promotes biodiversity, soil health, water conservation, and climate resilience.

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Practices used in regenerative farming include minimizing soil disturbance, maintaining living roots, keeping armor on the soil, building biodiversity, and integrating livestock.

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The goal is to produce nutritious and high-quality food while also contributing to the overall well-being of the environment, ecosystem, farmers, and our communities.

• The Regenified certification uses what they call the 6-3-4™ Standard. It's not a prescriptive to-do list but a framework measuring and assessing farming practices and their impact on ecosystem outcomes.
• The standard encompasses six principles, three rules, and four ecosystem processes. Using this framework, farmers create a plan that maps out the path to regenerate their farm and quantify their progress along that journey.
  • 6 Principles: Context, Disturbance, Enhanced Diversity, Armor, Living Roots, Livestock
  • 3 Rules: Rule of Compounding, Rule of Diversity, Rule of Disruption
  • 4 Ecosystem Processes: Energy Flow, Water Cycle, Mineral Cycle, Diversity
• Based on the 6-3-4™ framework, Regenified has a 5-tier ranking system to score and classify where a farm is on its respective regenerative journey. The tier a farm qualifies for is based on a score it receives after an in-field evaluation. In-field evaluations are required annually.
• A farm cannot remain in a tier for more than 3 years and can advance to higher tiers as quickly as it wants. A farm may use the Regenified™ seal once it scores high enough to qualify for tier 2.
• To learn more about the Regenified’s 6-3-4™ Verification Standard, see the following resources:
  • Regenified 6-3-4 Verification Standard
  • Regenerative Agriculture Explained

What Does ‘Regenerative’ Mean?

‍Here at A Greener World, we define Regenerative Agriculture as a set of planned agricultural practices that ensure the farm or ranch is not depleted by agricultural practices, and over time the soil, water, air, and biodiversity are improved or maintained to the greatest extent possible.

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‍Regenerative Certification for Real Change

‍The farmer and their regenerative experts develop a plan for the operation of the land being farmed. This plan is reviewed by a panel of experts who approve the vision for the farm’s regenerative journey, which is measured and audited on an ongoing basis. This approach allows for true regional and local flexibility while adhering to regenerative principles, giving confidence to consumers and stakeholders.

• Regenerative Agriculture is a series of agricultural practices implemented by a farmer that leaves the agricultural system in a better state than when they started, or in a state of ecological equilibrium if the maximum living soil health has already been achieved.
• Beyond a core focus on soil health, Regenerative Agriculture incorporates life-promoting practices throughout the ecosystem, including soil, water, air, cropping systems, livestock, biodiversity, wild harvest, and human/societal factors.
• Certified Regenerative requires a measurable Regenerative Plan, written by the farmer and/or Qualified Expert and subsequently reviewed by the Review Panel. As every location carries individual characteristics, individual solutions must be tailored for the success of the holding.
• Beyond the Plan, a farm that strives for certification must also satisfy the Best Practices and Standards in the areas shown below:
  • Soil
  • Water
  • Air
  • Livestock
  • Land Use and Cropping
  • Biodiversity
  • Buildings
  • Human
  • Financial
  • Traceability
• Incremental and measurable improvement is expected, and if an equilibrium is reached within the soil or system, the steward is expected to maintain it over time. Compliance with the Certified Regenerative standard will be conducted annually.
• Learn more about Certified Regenerative by AGW

Every ranch we work with undergoes a rigorous vetting and onboarding process. Before we work with them they sign the Land Steward Index, a mutual pledge committing to honoring regenerative principles of land and animal management and year-over-year improvement.

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Most ranches we work with carry one of the existing regenerative certifications, including Regenerative Organic Certified, Ecological Outcome Verified, and Regenified.

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In the simplest terms, we are tracking soil health improvements such as terrestrial life, pollinator populations, and biodiversity markers. We look for operations following the six principles of soil health:

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Soil Armor

Minimize Disturbance

Plant Diversity

Living Roots

Integrated Animals

Applying Principles for Context

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We have over decade-long relationships with many of our suppliers. That’s because these individuals are true stewards of the land and have committed their lives to improving the system. All of our suppliers are doing the work that is making a massive impact on the future of our food system, our health, and our environment.

The Demeter Biodynamic Certification uses the USDA Organic standard as a foundation, but with stricter requirements around imported fertility, greater emphasis on on-farm solutions for disease, pest, and weed control, and in-depth specifications around water conservation and biodiversity. Biodynamic farming is free of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in the same manner as certified organic farming.

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In day-to-day practice, the goal is to create a farm system that is minimally dependent on imported materials and instead meets its needs from the living dynamics of the farm itself. It is the biodiversity of the farm, organized so that the waste of one part of the farm becomes the energy for another, that results in an increase in the farm’s capacity for self-renewal and ultimately makes the farm sustainable. This requires that, as much as possible, a farm be regenerative rather than degenerative.

• In day-to-day practice, the goal is to create a farm system that is minimally dependent on imported materials and instead meets its needs from the living dynamics of the farm itself. It is the biodiversity of the farm, organized so that the waste of one part of the farm becomes the energy for another, that results in an increase in the farm’s capacity for self-renewal and ultimately makes the farm sustainable. This requires that, as much as possible, a farm be regenerative rather than degenerative.
• Biodynamic farming is free of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in the same manner as certified organic farming. To qualify for Demeter Biodynamic certification, a farm must first meet the requirements of the National Organic Program (NOP). Some inputs permitted by the NOP are not permitted or their use is further restricted by the Demeter Biodynamic Certification. Demeter also requires an eventual reduction of the volume of imported materials necessary to sustain the life of the farm.
• To receive Demeter Biodynamic Certification the farm must demonstrate compliance with the Biodynamic Farm Standard. The standard includes:
  • Necessary elements of the farm organism (i.e. biodiversity; fertility; disease, insect, and weed control; biodynamic preparations; water conservation; livestock integration; post-harvest handling)
  • Soil fertility management
  • Crop protection
  • Greenhouse management
  • Animal welfare
  • Use of Biodynamic preparations
• After initial certification, a farm must have its certification renewed every year. Certification is contingent upon a satisfactory on-site farm evaluation during the growing season.
• Learn more about the Demeter Biodynamic® Farm and Processing Standards

The Soil Climate Initiative's vision is that everyone who touches soil can be supported to unlock the soil’s potential for advancing a better future for the planet and all her people.

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Transitioning to a regenerative food system is complex. Although the social, economic, and environmental benefits of a successful transition to regenerative agriculture are multiple and profound, there are significant hurdles to overcome along the way.

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SCI's programs ecosystem seeks to address these interwoven challenges, from the Farm through the entire supply chain to the consumer, by using a multi-faceted approach that consists of: 

• Supporting Farmers in adopting regenerative practices, including via direct financial support;
• Working with soil health experts and advancing learning networks to rapidly accelerate the skills and resiliency of participating Farmers;
• Supporting brands and supply chain partners to engage in the transition of their value chains;
• Verifying both Farmer and company participants’ regenerative outcomes; and
• Communicating these stories through trust and transparency to retailers, consumers, investors, and other food system stakeholders.

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• The Verification Program engages both Farms and companies along the supply chain in actions that support the transition to Regenerative Management on an increasing number of Acres over time.
• Enrolled Farms are required to:
  • Develop and implement three-year Field Plans that address the SCI Regenerative Pillars (see below).
  • Target continuous improvement over a baseline.
  • Track and report Soil Health Outcomes.
• Enrolled brands, companies, processors, aggregators and other supply chain actors are required to:
  • Assess the land impact of the agricultural ingredients they source or sell via calculation of an ‘Acre Footprint’.
  • Commit to advancing regenerative transition on acreage equivalent to the Acre Footprint via a participant commitment plan, including by meeting minimum thresholds and milestones.
  • Support Farmer actions on the ground in line with these commitments, including by contributing to SCI's Farm Transition Fund, sourcing, or equivalent methods.
• SCI Regenerative Pillars:
  • Minimize Soil Disturbance
  • Living Roots in the Ground Year-Round
  • Keeping Year Round Soil Coverage
  • Maximize Diversity Above and Below Ground
  • Reducing Synthetic Inputs
  • Continuous Learning
  • Appropriate Integration of Livestock
• Farms that meet the requirements of the SCI Farm Standard (verified by a third-party verifier) receive the SCI Certificate of Verification label. The Farm must undergo an annual renewal process to continue to use the SCI Certificate of Verification label. Farms are required to progress to the next Verification Level by the third year (exceptions may be granted). Failure to advance to the next Verification Level may result in removal from the Verification Program.