What does Regenerative mean?

What is Regenerative?  What about Sustainability?

I've used this word to describe what Abundant Design does and some people may not understand why I feel it better describes what we do better than "sustainable".  Sustainability is a big buzz word these days with even industrial agriculture giants Monsanto, Syngenta and more using it to describe their actions.  They may not use it how I would use it, but maybe something is better than nothing. Or is it just corporate "green-washing"?

That is why this distinction is even more important!

Sheet mulching at the healing garden this week

and the first of many loads of organic matter, to help
 rebuild or Regenerate soil structure and feed the soil life.
The later work will be done with selected plants.

If we consider the default mode for extracting resources, such as mining, you could say we are being 'degenerative' where there will be less and less of the resource over time. 

The word sustainable means the ability to continue without change or degradation.  That is a good start, but is that really what we want?  To continue with the status quo, as is, or can we improve and restore the quality of our farms, soil and watersheds as well as the entire planet?



The term regenerative means renewal, regrowth and restoration.  I much prefer to regenerate topsoil, restore water quality and rebuild our lost natural diversity!  With proper planning and ethics

WE CAN!


Here is a video about the 777 Bison Ranch that uses Holistic Management, a regenerative approach made famous by the TED talk by Allan Savory.  I used to drive by there on my way to Rapid City from Hot Springs when I did my internship at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.

The graphic above is from "Kiss the Ground" I encourage you to read that article.  Here's another article for more about regenerative revolution at the Organic Consumers Association, and another video from the Rodale Institute and Organic India.

So maybe we should think about the term sustainability and consider striving for a more regenerative lifestyle.  Instead of leaving a legacy of doing "less bad" we can really improve things for future generations. 

Have a great week!