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Catalyzing Regenerative Transition

We are in service to a
global regenerative movement

Regenerative agriculture is a systems and place-based approach to agriculture that restores ecosystems, communities, and economies. It builds healthy soils, reduces air pollution, conserves water, and increases biodiversity while promoting equity and public health.

By simultaneously storing carbon, building resilience to extreme weather, and reducing inputs, regenerative agriculture supports both mitigation and adaptation to climate change, empowers farmers and ranchers, and produces tastier, more nutritious foods to support healthier and happier communities.

Farmers First

We have engaged farmers and ranchers right from the start to
co-create engaged farmers and ranchers since its inception to
co-create and provide feedback on the on-boarding, scoring, and verification processes — seeking to find a balance between quantitative and qualitative metrics; rigor and accessibility. We are committed to grower data sovereignty and privacy.

Evidence-Backed

In collaboration with scientists, cooperative extension agents, technical assistance providers, and conservationists we have developed a model that is grounded in sound science and both practice and outcomes-based. Our on-going versioning process allows us to integrate the latest science as it becomes available.

Place-Based

While the principles of regenerative agriculture are universal, their application is inherently place-based: a response to specific soil types, production systems, climates, and cultures. Practices that work on one farm or ranch may not work elsewhere and impacts will vary by context.

Market Driven

With input from stakeholders across the value chain, we have identified five ecosystem benefits that consumers and industry are eager to support. We have developed purchasing commitments tailored to food service providers, restaurants, retailers, food brands, farmers markets, and more!

There are many roads to regenerative...
RegenScore meets growers where they are at and takes them on a journey of continual improvement.

transitional

Time limit: 2 years

Minimum of 1 practice

No monitoring required

Access to transitional finance only

Continual improvement

Time limit: 5 years

Minimum of 3 practices/principles

Monitoring 1 out of 5 outcomes

Access to finance + markets

Regenerative

Time limit: Unlimited

Minimum of 6 practices/principles

Monitoring 3 out of 5 outcomes

Access to  finance + markets

RegenScore is a unified, adaptive framework that recognizes and integrates all approaches to regenerative transition, monitoring and verification; assigning a numerical value to farms and ranches and translating detailed information into an accessible, engaging format for purchasers and consumers.

transitional

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How does it work?

Closeup of farmers hands holding smartphone in field
Number 1 in circle

Data Entry/Verification

A Holistic Approach to Regenerative

Farmers and Ranchers input data about their operations (background info, practices, and outcomes) using a secure, private and accessible onboarding tool. For each data input, they will be prompted to upload verification (i.e. certifications, ISO verification, 3rd party affidavit, photos/videos, laboratory data, remote sensing/model outputs) or indicate that they are self-reporting.

Number 2 in circle

Scoring Algorithm

An Integrative, Adaptive Framework

The RegenScore™ framework integrates practice and outcome data inputs with verification provided to produce a single farm/ranch score (RegenScore) and 5 ecosystem benefit scores that evaluate impacts on soil health, air quality, water quality, biodiversity, and equity/worker welfare. Our novel scoring algorithm is designed to be adapted to unique regions and production systems.
Grid of colored boxes, icons showing symbols for air, soil, biodiversity, water, and equity, and images showing blue skies with clouds, grass with roots in soil, flying bees, overhead photo of water, and farmer holding a zucchini plant
Hands on keyboard of laptop with RegenScore farmer profile on screen
Hand holding smartphone with a blurred image of a supermarket aisle in background and finger swiping across screen that shows a closeup of a peach with RegenScore of 92 additional text to the side and below that says Frog Hollow, Brentwood CA
Number 3 in circle

Populating Profiles

Share Data with Anyone, not Everyone!

A detailed visual profile for professional supply web and marketplace specialists and a synthesized, consumer-friendly digital story are generated. Visibility of data on our platform is determined by each producer. Producers may also authorize their data and profile to be shared directly (via API) with other organizations – reducing the burden of data entry.

Number 4 in circle

Access to Multiple Resources

Reducing Barriers to Transition

With a RegenScore, producers gain access to our regenerative resource module which connects them to technical assistance, grants, and other financing opportunities, including our Regenerative Transitional Finance Fund (in partnership with Zero Foodprint). Producers in the Continual Improvement and Regenerative category also gain direct market access.

Hands of person testing soil with one hand and holding tablet in the other
Crop of a portion of an adding machine on a grey wooden table
Farmer's hands on laptop keyboard.
Regenerative agriculture is a place-based, context specific approach to management. Rather than prescribing practices, RegenScore asks what a grower is doing to implement regenerative principles and monitor outcomes in their unique context. Our scoring framework is designed to be adapted to new regions and production systems to ensure appropriate scalability.
Regenerative Principles
Closeup of corn sprouting in untilled field
Field of red clover
Plants sprouting in soil with irrigation
Plants sprouting in mulch covered soil
Variety of sprouting plants
Barn owl in field with yellow plants
Smiling woman with hat in field with rows ofcarrots holding wheelbarrow full of harvested carrots.
REDUCE DISTURBANCE
Reduce disturbance
Example Practices:

• No-till
• Strip/zone tillage
• Shallower/less frequent tillage
• Residue preservation
• Agroforestry/perennial systems

GROUND COVER
increase GROUND COVER
Example Practices:

• Cover cropping
• Multi-species cover cropping
• Intercropping
• Surface Mulches
• Perennial Plantings

WATER USE
MAXIMUM WATER USE EFFICIENCY
Example Practices:

• Irrigation scheduling
• Soil moisture sensors
• Subsurface Drip Irrigation
• Deficit Irrigation
• Dry Farming
• Tile Drains
• Bioswales

NUTRIENT CYCLES
tighten NUTRIENT CYCLES
Example Practices:

• Use Soil Testing
• Variable Rate Applications
• Precision Irrigation System (Fertigation)
• Avoid Applying Before Rain/Wind Event
• Produce Compost On-Site
• Integrate Livestock/Organic Amendments

REDUCE INPUTS
reduce INPUTS
Example Practices:

• Integrated Pest Management
• Reduced herbicide use
• Reduced fungicide use
• Reduced diesel use

BIODIVERSITY
Foster biodiversity
Example Practices:

• Diversify Crop Rotations
• Plant Hedgerows/Windbreaks
• Maintain Riparian Buffers
• Plant Pollinator Strips
• Bring in Bee boxes
• Owl boxes, Raptor Perches

EQUITY
promote equity/worker welfare
Example Practices:

• Support BIPOC, Women-, and Veteran Owned
• Employee benefits (health care, pension, etc.)
• Equal Opportunity Hiring
• Sufficient breaks/time off
• Extra Pay for Night-Shifts
• Annual bonuses and/or Profit Sharing

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REDUCE DISTURBANCE
GROUND COVER
WATER USE
NUTRIENT CYCLES
REDUCE INPUTS
BIODIVERSITY
EQUITY
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Outcomes:
All Regenerative Things Considered

the regenscore framework produces 5 ecosystem benefit scores

RegenScore is the antidote to carbon tunnel vision. As there is still great uncertainty as to the potential for regenerative management to sequester soil carbon and mitigate GHG, RegenScore diversifies your portfolio, reducing the risk of incentivizing practices that do not generate the outcomes we desire.

Roots of green plants intertwined in rich moist soil
Birght blue sky with white clouds
Clear water in stream with green plants visible underneath water
Bee hovering above bright golden flower which has one moth with folded in wings on petak, and another with wings up standing on flowers center disc
Closeup of smiling woman with hat in field  with posts in backgroundnext to fuschia colored flowers
OUTCOME-1
SOIL-2
Soil

Healthy soils, healthy plants, healthy people, healthy planet!

By building soil organic matter (SOM) and improving overall soil health, regenerative agriculture provides adaptation and resilience to climate change. t greater pest/disease resistance, increased water storage and drought tolerance, and improved yield stability.

AIR-3
Air

A breath of fresh air.

By maximizing photosynthesis, regenerative agriculture has the potential to sequester carbon (in soil organic matter and woody biomass), drawing down and mitigating GHG emissions. By maintaining constant ground cover and reducing disturbance, regenerative agriculture reduces soil loss/erosion and dust pollution (PM2.5/10) that contributes to poor air quality.

WATER-4
Water

An idea that holds water

By building SOM and keeping roots in the ground, regenerative systems allow more water to infiltrate, resulting in less overall water use, less water running off-site, and less soil, nutrients, and herbicides/pesticides ending up downstream along with it.

BIODIVERSITY-5
Biodiversity

As above, so below.

By implementing practices that promote aboveground biodiversity, regenerative systems promote belowground biodiversity; building robust food webs from soil to the ecosystem scale. Soil is home to ¼ of the world’s biodiversity; 95% of which remains to be discovered!

EQUITY-6
Equity

Coming together on common ground.

Regenerative systems recognize the history of a place, including native lands and the indigenous origins of those working its lands. They also empower farmers and ranchers to lead as decision-makers and problem-solvers, and promote farmer autonomy by working to ensure that farmers are paid for the foods they produce as well as the ecosystem benefits they provide.

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Carrots growing in rich soil
SOIL-1
SOIL

Healthy soils, healthy plants, healthy people, healthy planet!

By building soil organic matter (SOM) and improving overall soil health, regenerative agriculture provides adaptation and resilience to climate change. t greater pest/disease resistance, increased water storage and drought tolerance, and improved yield stability.

Deep blue sky with wispy clouds above golden field
AIR
AIR

A breath of fresh air.

By maximizing photosynthesis, regenerative agriculture has the potential to sequester carbon (in soil organic matter and woody biomass), drawing down and mitigating GHG emissions. By maintaining constant ground cover and reducing disturbance, regenerative agriculture reduces soil loss/erosion and dust pollution (PM2.5/10) that contributes to poor air quality.

Water flowing over rocks in stream
WATER
WATER

An idea that holds water

By building SOM and keeping roots in the ground, regenerative systems allow more water to infiltrate, resulting in less overall water use, less water running off-site, and less soil, nutrients, and herbicides/pesticides ending up downstream along with it.

Black phoebe perched on fuzzy brown plant in front of blurred field of grasses
BIODIVERSITY
BIODIVERSITY

As above, so below.

By implementing practices that promote aboveground biodiversity, regenerative systems promote belowground biodiversity; building robust food webs from soil to the ecosystem scale. Soil is home to ¼ of the world’s biodiversity; 95% of which remains to be discovered!

Smiling woman with hat in field with rows of carrots holding a wheelbarrow full of harvested carrots
EQUITY
EQUITY

Coming together on common ground.

Regenerative systems recognize the history of a place, including native lands and the indigenous origins of those working its lands. They also empower farmers and ranchers to lead as decision-makers and problem-solvers, and promote farmer autonomy by working to ensure that farmers are paid for the foods they produce as well as the ecosystem benefits they provide.

Farmers first

created for farmers and by farmers

RegenScore has engaged farmers and ranchers to participate in and provide feedback on the on-boarding process, as well as the approach to verification — seeking to find a balance between quantitative and qualitative outcomes and data for market validation versus those that can inform management. Our farmer/rancher advisory panel ensures that the process remains accessible and inclusive with a commitment to complete data privacy, data autonomy, and a reduced burden of data entry – enter data once, use it multiple times!

Pilot Pioneers

Our pilot included 75+ Northern California farmers and ranchers, one third of whom are BIPOC producers

RegenScore 1.0 Framework

RegenScore is designed to be adapted to different agricultural regions and production systems; in collaboration with on-the-ground experts

Expansion

We will leverage existing partnerships to first adapt RegenScore to Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, New England, and Georgia; then the entire US and beyond!

Onboarding

Through the USDA Partnership for Climate Smart Commodity grants, 1,200+ additional farms will be onboarded from 2023 to 2026

Scott Park

In my 35 years of farming experience, I had never seen a system so complete, so integrated and farmer-centered as RegenScore. It has great promising potential.

Scott Park
Park Farming Organics
Sutter County, CA

Mireya Gómez-Contreras
Smiling woman and children next to cow

We envision a healthy, localized food system based on food sovereignty, work with dignity, and stewardship of the environment.

Mireya Gómez-Contreras
Esperanza Farms
Santa Cruz County, CA

Doniga Markegard
Smiling woman and children next to cow

Regenerative agriculture restores biodiversity above and below the ground.

Doniga Markegard
Markegard Family Grass Fed
San Mateo County, California

Loren Poncia
Man holding handful of greens

Honesty, transparency and quality are cornerstones of our philosophy.

Loren Poncia
Stemple Creek Ranch
Marin County, CA

MacNamara family
Young woman and man with older man holding Sierra Orchards box

We incorporate regenerative practices into every aspect of our operations.

MacNamara Family
Sierra Orchards
Yolo County, CA

GUILLERMO LAZARO
Smiling woman in front of trees

After 12 years as a farm laborer in the Central Coast region in California, I became curious about becoming a grower and wondered about the possibility of working for myself. I was drawn to the opportunity to grow organic and natural produce.

Guillermo Lázaro
ALBA Farmers
Monterey County, CA

FARMER 1

We’ll accept no compromise: great foods, vibrant soils, healthier planet.

Rachel Krach and Greg Massa
Massa Organics
Butte County, CA

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Headshot of smiling man with sunglasses and baseball cap that says Park Farming Organics
Headshot of smiling woman with sunflower earrings
Smiling woman and children surrounding a cow
Smiling man holding handful of grasses
Older man holding Sierra Orchards box with daughter and son
Man with baseball cap watering lettuce
FARMER 1
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Marketplace Alliance

Our marketplace alliance, RegenMarkets, brings together leaders from key purchasing groups, including retailers, e-commerce, wholesale/distribution, consumer packaged goods, food service providers, restaurants/hospitality, home delivery services, food hubs, and farmers markets to adapt the RegenScore framework and develop marketplace commitments. End-users/purchasers will receive an embeddable, integration-ready module that translates producer’s data. Members of our marketplace alliance will also be provided with ready-to-go, consumer-facing digital stories to inform their customers and to offer them tools to engage deeply with their regenerative efforts.

Text "Supermarkets & Grocery Stores" overlaid on image of grocery store aisle
ecommerce-OFF-v2
Text "Wholesale & Distribution" overlaid on tall stack of fruit in crates
Text "Food Brands & Manufacturing" overlaid on image of industrial equipment
Text "Food Services" overlaid on image of cafeteria line
Text "Retaurants & Hospitality" overlaid on image of chefs hands putting lettuce in bowl
Text "Home Delievery Services" overlaid on box of vegetable
Text "Farmers Markets" overlaid on vegetables at farmers market

Science, standards and verification alliance

The Framework

RegenScore is both practice- and outcomes- based. We use expert elicitations and multi-criteria decision analysis to weigh the contribution of various practices towards achieving regenerative principles, as well as the rigor of various metrics, methodologies, and sampling designs for monitoring outcomes.

Verification

Rather than dictating one approach, RegenScore allows growers to verify practices and outcomes through certifications/standards, 3rd party affidavit, ISO certified verifier, photos/videos, remote sensing, modeling, among others. The rigor of the approach (and thus, fidelity of the data) also contributes to the final RegenScore.

Data Validation

The RegenScore framework recognizes data validation and certifications offered by leading organizations in our alliance

Scientists and research labs, verification entities, certifiers, innovators, regenerative standards developers and advocates.
All are welcome to our alliance. 

Regenerative Organic Certified logo
Regenerative Agriculture Alliance logo
Ecdysis logo
The Carbon Underground logo
The Carbon Underground logo
The Carbon Underground logo

Marketplace Alliance