Why regenerative agriculture?
Regenerative agriculture is a new concept in Norway and internationally, and means growing food in a way that builds soil by increasing its microbiological components as well as the biological diversity both above and in the soil.
International research shows that regenerative agriculture can contribute to
- increased soil health
- increased carbon sequestration in soil
- reduced nutrient runoff and pollution
- improved economy for the farmers
One challenge with regenerative agriculture is that there is little established research on this agronomic practice. Farmers who begin with regenerative agriculture are innovative pioneers who dare to take risks in order to develop new agricultural practices and new knowledge for the benefit of society at large.
About us
Regenerativ Region is a transdisciplinary, trans-sectorial and international network that co-creates knowledge on regenerative agriculture and soil health.
In the project RIPARAGRO, led by GLOBE at UiO, we examines how regenerative agriculture affects biodiversity in riparian zones and nutrient loss into waterways. REKORN, a research project lead by NIBIO, aims to identify cultivation measures within regenerative agriculture that may potentially reduce the incidence of fungal diseases in grain. Our network has also enabled the agricultural vocational schools Hvam Vgs. and Kalnes Vgs. to collaborate and develop an agronomy and pedagogy where students can learn about soil health both in theory and in practice.
About the pilot project
The network was established through the pilot project "Regenerativ Region: Scaling up Regenerative Practices in Viken." We organized two workshops for key stakeholders, which was the first time many of them met. Through these workshops we mapped barriers and motivations that land mangers experience when beginning to farm for ecological, financial and social outcomes, and the knowledge needs these farmers need. We also organized three seminars for teachers and managers at agricultural vocational schools to strengthen the schools as a learning arena for soil health.
Financing
The pilot project "Regenerative Region: Scaling up Regenerative Practices in Viken" was funded in part by Viken Municipality and lasted between 2023-2024. Now the network lives on through other projects.
Collaboration
The network includes:
- Farmers
- GLOBE (Senter for global bærekraft)
- NMBU
- NIBIO
- Norges Vel
- Regenerativt Norge
- VitalAnalyse
- Sunn Jord
- Østfold municipality
- Akershus municipality
- Hvam vocational school.
- Kalnes vocational school.
- Natur vocational school.
- EARA
