permaculture

[Lawrence London <lfljvenaura@gmail.com>]

Comments:

"This is a radical and expected way forward in order to enhance food and
farming systems.

I only hope that the certification cost is accessible to small farmers"


"This is a radical and expected way forward in order to enhance food and
farming systems.

I only hope that the certification cost is accessible to small farmers."



Introducing the New Regenerative Organic Certification
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1114967834235&ca=31d96d65-5222-4b5c-b244-091f4c7a92ca

*Introducing the Regenerative Organic Certification*

Rodale Institute has pioneered regenerative organic agriculture since our
founder, J.I. Rodale, wrote "Healthy Soil=Healthy Food=Healthy People" on a
chalkboard back in 1942. His son, Robert Rodale, coined the term
'regenerative organic agriculture' to distinguish a kind of farming that
goes beyond simply 'sustainable.' To us, that always meant agriculture
improving the resources it uses, rather than destroying or depleting them.
It is a holistic systems approach to farming that encourages continual
innovation for environmental, social, and economic well-being.

Today, we're proud to announce the new Regenerative Organic Certification,
a cooperative effort among a coalition of farmers, ranchers, nonprofits,
scientists, and brands, led by Rodale Institute, to establish a new,
high-bar standard for regenerative organic agriculture. Owned by this
coalition, the standard will be administered by NSF International and is
open to many certification partners. The standard encompasses guidelines
for soil health and land management, animal welfare, and farmer and worker
fairness. Regenerative Organic Certification builds upon the near 100-year
legacy of organic movement visionaries like J.I. Rodale and Dr. Rudolf
Steiner, and provides stepwise guidance for farming and ranching
operations, transportation, slaughter, and processing facilities that
produce food, cosmetics, and fiber.

The goals of Regenerative Organic Certification are to increase soil
organic matter over time, improve animal welfare, provide economic
stability and fairness for farmers, ranchers, and workers, and create
resilient regional ecosystems and communities.

The environmental outcomes of a systemic shift to regenerative organic
agricultural practices could be profound. *In 2014, research by Rodale
Institute estimated that if current crop acreage and pastureland shifted to
regenerative organic practices, 100% of annual global CO2 emissions could
be sequestered in the soil. *

Regenerative Organic Certification does not aim to supplant current organic
standards. Instead, this certification aims to support these standards
while at the same time facilitate widespread adoption of holistic,
regenerative practices throughout agriculture. It builds upon the standards
set forth by USDA Organic and similar programs internationally,
particularly in the areas of animal welfare and farmer and worker fairness.
If you are interested in reviewing and commenting on the new Regenerative
Organic Certification requirements, *please click here to review
<http://standards.nsf.org/apps/group_public/document.php?document_id=39305>*
and
contact Jessica Evans, Director of Standards Development at NSF
<jevans@nsf.org>. After the public comment period is complete, brands,
farmers, and ranchers are encouraged to embrace these practices,
incorporate them into their supply chains, and create a market for
Regenerative Organic Certified products.

*Want to learn more? *Join Rodale Institute and Patagonia at Dr. Bronner's
booth (2419) event at Expo East this Friday, September 15 at 4:30 PM to
share this exciting news. Thank you for your participation in this vital
process.













*Jeff Moyer*
Rodale Institute
 Click here to review & comment on the full Regenerative Organic
Certification requirements
<http://standards.nsf.org/apps/group_public/document.php?document_id=39305>
*Regenerative Organic Certificate Goals:*

   - Increase soil organic matter over time, and sequester carbon in the
   soil
   - Improve animal welfare
   - Provide economic stability and fairness for farmers, ranchers, and
   workers
   - Create resilient regional ecosystems and communities

*Three Pillars:*
*Soil Health**

- No/low Tillage
- Cover Crops
- Crop Rotations
- Rotational Grazing
- No Synthetic Inputs
- No GMOs or Gene Editing
- Promotes Biodiversity
- Builds Soil Organic Matter
- No Soilless Systems

** Leverages USDA Organic, Biodynamic, etc.*
Social Fairness*

- Living Wages
- No Child Labor
- No Forced Labor
- Maximum Working Hours
- Fair Pricing for Buyers/Farmers
- Long-Term Commitments

** Leverages AJP, Fair Trade, FFL, SPP, etc.*
*Animal Welfare**

- Five Freedoms
- Grass-Fed / Pasture-Raised
- No CAFOs
- Suitable Shelter
- Minimize Transport Distances

** Leverages GAP 4+, AWA, Cert. Humane, etc.*

*Click here for a one-pager on the new certification
<https://rodaleinstitute.org/assets/ROC-One-Pager-9.12.17.pdf>*

<https://rodaleinstitute.org/assets/ROC-One-Pager-9.12.17.pdf>
 Click here to review & comment on the full Regenerative Organic
Certification requirements
<http://standards.nsf.org/apps/group_public/document.php?document_id=39305>
* Abridged list of contributors to the creation of Regenerative Organic
Certification: *