14 training resources for regenerating the land through agriculture | GreenBiz

Regenerating Agriculture: Training Resources for Sustainable Farming Practices

Editor’s note: This is part of a series on closing the sustainability skills gap with the resources we have available right now. Read the previous articles in this series, which cover training on climate literacy, scaling corporate climate literacy, sustainability strategy, climate and net-zero strategy and measuring and managing GHG emissions.

Regenerative agriculture, holistic management, and other nature-based solutions have become critical components of sustainability strategy for organizations with agricultural inputs. Walmart and PepsiCo recently announced their collaboration supporting the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices across 2 million acres of farmland in North America. Global agricultural supply chain leader ADM expects to cover 2 million acres in the re:generations regenerative agriculture program by the end of 2023 and is on track to meet its goal of covering 4 million acres across the globe by 2025.

These investments, and many others like them, are helping producers to earn additional income while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving water quality and soil health, and enhancing biodiversity through practices like the use of cover crops, integrated livestock, and reduced tillage.

Regenerative Agriculture and Holistic Management

The primary focus of these courses is what can be done at the farm level and covers topics such as regenerative agriculture, soil health, soil carbon, holistic management, grassland restoration, and other sustainable farming practices. If you work on-farm or engage with suppliers who do, these courses are a great place to start. 

The Regenerative Agriculture Revolution from EIT Food on FutureLearn

This course will explain the key principles of regenerative agriculture, the benefits of different farming methods, and how the regenerative model can help to reduce the environmental impact of farming practices. Learners will be guided through the development of a regenerative action plan for a hypothetical farm. This is part of a large collection of courses on food system innovation from EIT Food. 

• Cost: $99, or included with paid subscription to FutureLearn
• Next start date: Available on-demand
• Time to complete: 2 weeks, 3 hours per week
• Training format: Videos, articles, and development of an action plan
• Key topics covered: Why shift to regenerative agriculture; the relationship between soil, plant, and climate; animals as key-players in the agroecosystem; the use of natural resources on farms; how supply chains are transitioning to regenerative agriculture and supporting policy

Soil Advocate Training from Kiss the Ground 

This course empowers learners with the knowledge and confidence to effectively advocate for soil health and regenerative agricultural practices when speaking to diverse stakeholder groups including businesses, policymakers, and farmers. This course is part of a suite of training on regenerative agriculture from Kiss the Ground, which includes customizable team-based training for businesses. 

• Cost: $180
• Next start date: Available on-demand
• Time to complete: Unspecified
• Training format: E-learning, reading
• Key topics covered: How rebuilding soil is the solution; understanding regeneration; regenerative vs. degenerative; soil health, human health; replenishing fresh water sources; making the case 

Soil Health and Regenerative Farming from Terra.do

This course introduces the five principles of soil health with illustrative, innovative examples of how farmers apply these principles and are incentivized and rewarded for their efforts. There is also a discussion of how soil carbon stocks can be used to engage in carbon markets and carbon offsets. Learners will walk away with a deep understanding of soil health principle applications and the complexities of scaling regenerative agriculture practices. 

• Cost: $199
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  SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

  SDGs	Targets	Indicators
  SDG 2: Zero Hunger	Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems	Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
  SDG 13: Climate Action	Target 13.2: Integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning	Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula
  SDG 15: Life on Land	Target 15.3: Sustainable land management and restoration of degraded land	Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area
  SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	Target 6.3: Improve water quality and wastewater treatment	Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

  1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article discusses regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming practices that can contribute to sustainable food production systems, which aligns with SDG 2’s goal of achieving zero hunger.

  SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article mentions the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, indicating a connection to SDG 13’s target of integrating climate change measures into policies and planning.

  SDG 15: Life on Land

  The article highlights the use of regenerative agriculture to improve soil health and enhance biodiversity, which relates to SDG 15’s target of sustainable land management and restoration of degraded land.

  SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article mentions that sustainable farming practices can improve water quality, indicating a connection to SDG 6’s target of improving water quality and wastewater treatment.

  2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems

  The article discusses the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices, which can contribute to sustainable food production systems and align with Target 2.4 under SDG 2.

  Target 13.2: Integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

  The article mentions the collaboration between Walmart, PepsiCo, and ADM to support the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices, which indicates an integration of climate change measures into corporate strategies and planning, aligning with Target 13.2 under SDG 13.

  Target 15.3: Sustainable land management and restoration of degraded land

  The article highlights the use of regenerative agriculture to improve soil health and restore degraded land, indicating a connection to Target 15.3 under SDG 15.

  Target 6.3: Improve water quality and wastewater treatment

  The article mentions that sustainable farming practices can improve water quality, aligning with Target 6.3 under SDG 6.

  3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

  The article discusses the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices across millions of acres of farmland, indicating progress towards Indicator 2.4.1 under SDG 2.

  Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into curricula

  The article mentions the collaboration between Walmart, PepsiCo, and ADM to support the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices, indicating progress towards Indicator 13.2.1 under SDG 13.

  Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area

  The article highlights the use of regenerative agriculture to restore degraded land, indicating progress towards Indicator 15.3.1 under SDG 15.

  Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

  The article mentions that sustainable farming practices can improve water quality, indicating progress towards Indicator 6.3.2 under SDG 6.

  SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

  SDGs	Targets	Indicators
  SDG 2: Zero Hunger	Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems	Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
  SDG 13: Climate Action	Target 13.2: Integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning	Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula
  SDG 15: Life on Land	Target 15.3: Sustainable land management and restoration of degraded land	Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area
  SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	Target 6.3: Improve water quality and wastewater treatment	Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

  Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

  Source: greenbiz.com

   

  

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