Regenerative agriculture

Regenerative agriculture is an active approach to land management driven by improving soil health. Rather than a rigid set of rules, it embraces a blend of sustainable farming methods tailored to each farmer's needs.

Core principles include:

• Understanding the context of your farm operation
• Minimizing soil disturbance
• Maximizing diversity
• Keeping soil covered
• Maintaining living roots year-round
• Integrating livestock and increasing biodiversity

By adopting regenerative agricultural practices, farmers and landowners can be profitable while restoring healthy soils and safeguarding our natural resources for future generations. 

MDARD’s commitment to regenerative agriculture

Aligned with the Governor’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, MDARD's Fiscal Year 24 budget provided $6 million to bolster soil health and regenerative agriculture initiatives. This funding supports practices like soil cover maintenance, crop diversity, and livestock integration to mitigate climate impacts.

Additionally, $7 million is allocated to promote climate-smart agricultural methods and innovative technologies, enhancing soil and plant health, carbon sequestration, water efficiency, and conservation efforts through research grants to Michigan State University.

Learn more about how MDARD and our partners and supporting sustainable agricultural practices in Michigan:

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New! MDARD's Regenerative Agriculture Strategic Plan

Veteran Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration

The Veteran Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration is a farm nestled within the 600-acre Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home (VFWNH) in Eaton Rapids, is paving the way for veterans to engage in regenerative and climate-smart agriculture. This innovative program is a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the VFW National Home, and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, supported by funding from The Corps Network, in conjunction with AmeriCorps.

Learn more about the Veteran Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration. 

Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. Getting MAEAP verified shows peers and neighbors the high level of commitment to agricultural stewardship and protecting the environment. MAEAP has four systems that address different aspects of the farm: Farmstead, Cropping, Livestock and the newly developed Forest, Wetlands and Habitat System. Each looks at different practices depending on site-specific management and production practices and associated risks.

Upcoming Trainings

This summer, MDARD is sponsoring a free, in-depth workshop series alongside farmer-run Understanding Ag, LLC. The series is designed to help farmers adopt soil-health practices that improve resilience, increase profitability, and support long-term sustainability. It emphasizes peer-to-peer learning and real-world experience, recognizing that farmer-to-farmer information sharing is a key driver in the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices. 

Founded and operated by farmers, Understanding Ag works directly with farmers, ranchers, and landowners to educate and support the implementation of regenerative practices that restore soil health, boost profitability, and ensure farm sustainability for future generations. Understanding Ag is a pioneer in the regenerative agriculture industry and now has an international presence as a leader in the field.  

Register now for upcoming regenerative field workshops for farmers.  

Additional resources

• Regenerative Agriculture Program Field Coordinator Coverage Map
• The Nature Conservancy
• Michigan State University Center for Regenerative Agriculture
• Michigan Agriculture Advancement
• MDARD Bureau of Environment and Sustainability Organizational Chart
• Conservation Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) Map