The Perpetual Lessons From Farmers’ Perspective in Regenerative Agriculture Practices

Our semester has come to an end, marking the conclusion of our semester-long sustainable investing research consulting project. During the final stages, we focused on two main deliverables: the measurement metrics and the due diligence questionnaire. Following the division of work, our team split into groups to concentrate on farmers and corporations. These tasks pushed us to delve deeper into understanding the motivations behind transitioning to regenerative agriculture (RA) practices. I realized that these efforts were not isolated but interconnected, building upon each other to create a cohesive and comprehensive final deliverable.

During the midterm, we initiated primary research by designing survey questions and distributing them to RA farmer alliances and corporations. After a few weeks, we received responses from two RA farmer alliances, one based in Central America and the other in Minnesota. These responses highlighted the main motivations and challenges in adopting RA practices. Technical assistance and financial support were identified as the primary obstacles. One respondent, who provides free technical assistance to transitioning farmers, noted that technical and operational issues in the field often require significant time and energy. For example, some crops failed due to insufficient preparation and knowledge of managing pests unique to RA, necessitating additional time for replanting and risk management. This gap presents an opportunity for investors to bridge these needs and inspire alliances to collaborate with government programs to provide enhanced technical support.

Another respondent emphasized the need for increased access to financial resources and business workshops tailored to young and beginning farmers. He shared that many farmers in his network are young men in their twenties who inherited family farms and are eager to learn about RA practices. Beyond technical assistance, financial illiteracy and a lack of business management skills were cited as urgent issues requiring attention from both governments and investors.

Additionally, we identified significant power and equity dynamics in RA across the US and EU during our secondary research. Studies revealed systemic inequities, such as gender disparities with low representation of women in farmer communities, generational gaps necessitating renewal, and racial inequities affecting access to subsidies and grants. Our survey responses echoed these findings, with both respondents recounting structural barriers related to race and gender when seeking support and assistance.

A recurring theme in our research was the importance of local community collaboration in supporting RA farmers. Initiatives such as joint marketing efforts, cost-sharing, and aggregating farming products under a unified brand to stabilize supply chains were highlighted as critical strategies. Moreover, a strong understanding of sustainability values, long-term soil health, and reduced input costs motivated farmers to transition to RA. Farmers also noted that fostering a sense of community through shared resources and knowledge exchange reduced the burden of transitioning and enhanced resilience.

One additional insight from our research was the value of cross-sector partnerships. Collaboration between NGOs, private investors, and government entities emerged as a key driver of success. By aligning goals and pooling resources, these partnerships could scale up support for farmers, addressing technical and financial gaps more comprehensively. Furthermore, respondents highlighted the need for transparent communication and trust-building efforts to ensure these partnerships are equitable and effective. Such collaborations can also play a role in advocating for policy reforms to make subsidies and grants more accessible, particularly for marginalized farmer groups.

Ultimately, this research has deepened my understanding of RA from both a macro and farm-level perspective. The insights gained have informed the design of metrics and due diligence questions that reflect practical challenges and farmer needs, guiding investors toward meaningful and impactful actions. This process has also emphasized the importance of fostering inclusive, equitable, and collaborative systems that empower farmers while addressing global sustainability challenges.