Regenerative Agriculture: What We Mean — and What the Research Shows

At Tyner Pond Farm, we use the word regenerative deliberately. For us it means managing land so that soils get healthier, biodiversity improves, water systems hold up, and the food we produce supports all of this, rather than degrading the land. But in practice, regenerative agriculture covers a wide range of practices — and the research on each is still emerging.

What falls under the “regenerative” umbrella

Here are some of the practices that people include when they say “regenerative agriculture”:

• Reduced or no-till cropping, which keeps soil disturbance low and residue on the surface. MDPI+2SpringerLink+2

• Cover-cropping and diversified rotations, which keep living roots in the ground year-round and mix plant types. MDPI+1

• Integrating livestock and crops, so animals cycle nutrients back into the soil instead of being separate systems. MDPI+1

• Managed grazing (rotational, adaptive multi-paddock, or more intensive systems) on pastures and rangelands. ScienceDirect+2PMC+2

• Agroforestry / silvopasture systems (trees + pasture or crops) which combine woody plants with forage or animals. Wikipedia+1

Because the term “regenerative” is broad, different farms will mean different combinations of these. What matters is how well the practices are applied, and whether they link up to measurable outcomes: deeper roots, more soil organic carbon (SOC), better water infiltration, richer biodiversity.

What the research is actually showing

Here’s a breakdown of what studies are finding for different regenerative practices — and the important caveats:

1. Soil health and SOC (soil organic carbon)

• A review of regenerative agriculture practices found that no-till farming, residue retention, mixed rotations, and integrating livestock can improve soil carbon under the right conditions. MDPI+1

• For managed grazing systems specifically, some studies report higher SOC under adaptive grazing vs continuous grazing. For example, soils under appropriately managed grazing had improved carbon inputs and less bare ground. ScienceDirect+2Frontiers+2

• But many authors caution that the carbon gains are not guaranteed, and depend on climate zone, soil type, prior land use, stocking rates, rest periods, etc. Project Drawdown®+1

2. Biodiversity, soils, and ecosystem function

• In one review of 58 studies of “regenerative grazing‐type” systems, microbial diversity, fungal:bacterial ratios, soil fauna improved under some systems — but vegetation responses were inconsistent: sometimes plant diversity improved, sometimes it didn’t. Frontiers

• Research shows regenerative practices can improve infiltration, reduce erosion, increase soil living biology — but results vary heavily. Taylor & Francis Online+1

3. Climate change mitigation / greenhouse gas balance

• There is promise: because healthier soils can store more carbon, regenerative systems may offset some emissions. PMC+1

• But many researchers warn that practices cannot be viewed as “magic bullets.” For example, even well-managed grazing systems still produce methane; the land area required may increase; carbon stored may not be permanent. Project Drawdown®+1

Why nuance matters — and how it applies to our farm

Because “regenerative” covers many items, the details matter. On our farm:

• When rotating cattle (our Total Grazing system) we’re focusing on intensity of moves, adequate recovery of paddocks, and maximizing root growth and litter cover.

• We know that simply calling something “rotational grazing” doesn’t guarantee strong soil-carbon gains unless rest, density and forage recovery are managed well. The research backs that.

• We recognise that our soils, climate and previous land use in central Indiana impose limits — gains will be slower and less dramatic than claims sometimes heard in popular media.

• We also see the broader benefits: richer living soil biology, stronger forage, pastures that hold up better in dry spells, animals thriving without excessive external inputs. These are not always quantified in the research yet, but they align with what the literature calls “ecosystem resilience”.

What this conversation means for you (our customer)

When you support pasture-based products from Tyner Pond Farm:

• You’re supporting land that is being managed to restore, not degrade.

• You’re helping practices that align with current scientific evidence about what can improve soils, rather than relying on unproven claims.

• You’re contributing to a farm system that emphasises long-term soil health, meaningful grazing management, and local food systems — things that matter even beyond carbon numbers.

Bottom line

Regenerative agriculture is not one single practice. It’s a spectrum — cropping, livestock, cover crops, no-till, agroforestry. The science says many of these practices can improve soil health, biodiversity and carbon storage — but the gains depend heavily on how the practices are done, where, and under what conditions.
At Tyner Pond Farm, we commit to doing this work carefully, with a serious eye on the land and the research. Because we believe that food production should make the land better — not worse.

FAQ

What does “regenerative agriculture” actually mean?
It’s a broad term for farming systems that restore soil health, biodiversity, and water cycles. It can include no-till cropping, cover crops, livestock integration, and managed grazing.

Is regenerative agriculture proven to store carbon?
Research shows these practices can increase soil carbon—especially when livestock are managed adaptively—but the gains depend on soil type, rainfall, rest periods, and previous land use.

What’s the difference between rotational, AMP, and Total Grazing?
Rotational grazing moves animals through pastures on a schedule. AMP (adaptive multi-paddock) adjusts timing and rest based on grass growth. Total Grazing is more intense: higher density, shorter grazing time, and longer rest periods.

Are carbon gains permanent?
Not always. Soil carbon can be lost again through tillage, over-stocking, or drought. Long-term commitment and careful management make the difference.

Why is Tyner Pond Farm focused on Total Grazing?
Because it maximizes root growth and ground cover, two things science consistently links to higher soil carbon and stronger soils.

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