Regenerative Agriculture.

Understanding and Defining Regenerative Agriculture Practices in Alberta.

The objective of this project was to understand and define regenerative agriculture (RA) practices in Alberta – from production to policy.

The Simpson Centre aimed to address the following questions:

What do producers and agri-food professionals mean by "regenerative farming"?
What RA practices are currently being used?
What business models are RA farmers using?
What are the barriers and constraints to the expansion of RA farming practices?
Where are the gaps and opportunities for enabling policy design and implementation?

The Context.

Agriculture in Canada tends to rely on inputs and production practices that degrade soil and wider ecosystems. Policies incentivize farmers to increase yield and revenue while unintentionally neglecting longer term risk mitigation.

The Vision.

Interest in regenerative agriculture is growing. RA seeks to improve soil quality, reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, nurture on-farm relationships, reduce off-farm impacts, bolster climate resilience, and enhance crop quality.

The Issue.

At issue is a clear definition of regenerative farming, which is currently an unofficial and voluntary designation with little policy support from governments to promote uptake and viability.

Our Process.

Over 18 months, The Simpson Centre explored a detailed and actionable understanding of regenerative agriculture through an in-depth review of existing literature, online surveys among diverse agricultural stakeholders, and in-person events with producers, industry commodity groups, and policymakers.

The Outcomes.

Our findings:

Solid evidence of RA methods in use on farms across Alberta.
Benefit farmers and farming organizations with valuable insights on business models and regenerative practices.
Inform businesses on the products and services that producers require.
Generate a policy-friendly definition of Regenerative Agriculture.
Offer agri-food companies a more precise definition to help transition sourcing to producers adopting more sustainable production practices.

From interactive PDF to comprehensive briefing papers and reports, the project published a range of resources to understand and define regenerative agriculture practices in Alberta.

Producers, policymakers, investors, and everyday consumers alike can find resources tailored to them which directly address the project's objectives to understand and define regenerative agriculture.

Explore the publications below.

A Spectrum of Perspectives on Regenerative Agriculture.

Explore the interactive, clickable document below to discover the diverse perspectives, key actors, and guiding values shaping both current understanding and the future of regenerative agriculture.

Click & Explore.

A Critical Review of RA in Western Canada

This critical review examines the concept of regenerative agriculture in Western Canada, exploring its potential as a nature-based solution to environmental challenges in the agricultural sector. Through an analysis of the economic, societal, and environmental factors, we can further understand the factors influencing farmer adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, drawing insights from Canadian case studies.

Research shows that while regenerative agriculture lacks a unified definition, it consistently emphasizes the importance of sustainability and soil health. It represents an opportunity for Canadian farmers to implement practices that enhance ecosystem resilience and mitigate environmental risks. However, the adoption of regenerative agriculture faces significant barriers, including initial investment costs, cultural resistance, and the absence of immediate financial returns.

Read the Report.

Can the Financial Sector Support the Transition to RA?

The global food system faces mounting challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation. Regenerative agriculture (RA) has emerged as a promising approach that goes beyond sustainability to restore ecosystem function, build soil health, enhance biodiversity, and increase climate resilience. Despite its potential, widespread adoption remains constrained by entrenched financial, institutional, and policy barriers.

This report examines how well current financial products and institutional frameworks support farmers transitioning to RA, focusing on the Alberta context. It draws on an extensive literature review, environmental scans across the agriculture, finance, and policy sectors, and qualitative insights from stakeholder focus groups and a multi-sector roundtable.

Explore the Findings & Recommendations.

Bridging Public Opinion & Policy: Climate & Ag Policies

This study analyzes Canadian public preferences for climate and agricultural policies. While Canadians broadly support federal responsibility for food security (87.6% agreement) and climate action, stark regional and demographic divides shape attitudes toward policy instruments.

Support for sustainability measures, such as carbon pricing and farm-level emission mandates, is highest in Quebec (64.7%) and among highly educated groups, while skepticism prevails in the Prairies (23.8% agreement with carbon tax efficacy) and less-educated populations.

These findings underscore the need for regionally tailored policies that balance economic stability with environmental goals in Canada’s federalist system.

Read the Complete Policy Brief.

Bridging the Financing Gap in Regenerative Agriculture

The transition to regenerative agriculture (RA) presents significant opportunities for sustainability and resilience but is hindered by financial and structural barriers.

By aligning sustainable finance with regenerative agriculture, stakeholders can unlock its full potential, fostering a resilient agricultural sector that balances economic viability with environmental and social benefits.

Read the Review.

Regenerative Agriculture.

From Production to Policy: Defining RA