Fresh Guide Transforms Future of Farming

By Andi Anderson

A new guide has been introduced to help farmers and their trusted advisors adopt regenerative agriculture more easily. 'The Nature Conservancy' published the Farmers Advisor Roadmap in spring to strengthen support systems within the agriculture industry. The goal is to make regenerative practices simpler to understand and apply across the Midwest and other regions.

Regenerative agriculture focuses on improving soil health, enhancing water quality, and supporting wildlife. These practices are also known to increase farm resilience and profitability over time. However, many farmers face challenges when trying to adopt these methods, especially when they lack proper guidance and support.

Luke Petersen, who led the development of the roadmap, emphasized the important role of advisors in this transition. "We need these practices to be really core to how farmers are making everyday decisions," he said. "We need the people that farmers are already talking to about their operation every season — every day, in many cases — they need to be fully bought in and equipped to help those farmers be successful."

The roadmap was created with input from a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers unions, soybean associations, and farm supply businesses. Their participation ensured that the guide reflects real challenges and opportunities faced by farmers and advisors alike.

The guide has three main goals. First, it aims to increase awareness of regenerative agriculture practices. Second, it demonstrates how these practices can benefit farm businesses financially. Third, it focuses on building the skills needed across the agriculture industry to support farmers effectively.

Petersen also encouraged farmers to actively seek support from their advisors. "If you're a farmer, the ask is that you look to where your own team of advisors can help you implement regenerative management on your own operation," Petersen said. "If those services aren't currently available to you, you are really the most powerful voice to help us continue to generate that demand for this trusted advice."

The roadmap highlights the importance of collaboration. It explains that while adopting regenerative practices individually can be difficult, working together with knowledgeable advisors can make the process smoother. With continued teamwork and shared knowledge, regenerative agriculture is expected to expand and benefit more farming communities.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave