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State board adopts guidance defining "regenerative agriculture" for California programs
Summary
The State Board of Food and Agriculture voted unanimously to adopt a staff-drafted definition of regenerative agriculture for use by state agencies and programs, and will forward the recommendation to the secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
The State Board of Food and Agriculture voted unanimously to adopt a definition of “regenerative agriculture” for use by California state policies and programs and directed the chair to submit the board’s recommendation to the secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
"Regenerative agriculture is defined for use by the state of California policies and programs as an integrated approach to farming and ranching rooted in the principles of soil health leading to improved targeted outcomes," Josh, a CDFA staff member presenting the draft, said as he described changes made since the board's prior meeting.
Why it matters: The board framed the document as guidance for state agencies and departments developing programs tied to regenerative practices. Members and public commenters emphasized that the definition should serve as an implementation framework rather than a statutory or certification standard, and several board members urged that the text be outcome-oriented and avoid creating a low "floor" that would allow misleading market claims.
What the board approved: The adopted language moves text from an earlier preamble into the formal definition and explicitly characterizes regenerative agriculture as an ongoing continuum of practices intended to "minimize inputs and environmental impacts and further enhance the ecosystem while maintaining or improving productivity, economic contributions and community benefits," according to the version displayed and adopted by the board.
Public and stakeholder input: The board heard multiple public commenters, including representatives of the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, California Farm Bureau and the Western Plant Health Association, who generally praised the document's progress while urging that it remain guidance rather than statutory language. A public commenter from an aquaculture restoration project said their urchin-ranching work aligned with the definition's habitat and ecosystem aims.
Board debate and next steps: Board members discussed where the preamble language should live, how prescriptive the language should be for future certification or program rules, and how to ensure the definition does not enable greenwashing. The board ultimately approved two motions by roll call: one to move the preamble language into the main body of the definition (vote 11–0) and a second to approve the revised definition as displayed and to have the chair send it to the secretary as a formal recommendation (vote 11–0).
Staff said the adoption is a recommendation to the secretary; the board does not itself adopt binding statute. CDFA staff indicated they will draft a formal letter and post the adopted language online later in the week.
Ending: The board's action completes a multiyear process of listening sessions, working-group input and public comment; staff and board members said the definition is intended to guide state programs and coordination among agencies rather than to serve as an immediate certification standard.
