What is Regenerative Agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture is a core tenant of our growers’ approach to raising a cotton crop. If you’re new to the term, let us explain.

What is regenerative agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture is a whole-system, localized approach to land management where multiple farming practices are integrated to restore soil health. From the cotton grower perspective, regenerative agriculture is about leaving the land better than you found it. This requires using farming practices that increase water efficiency, improve biodiversity, and reduce synthetic inputs, to name a few.

What does regenerative agriculture look like on a cotton farm?

Regenerative agriculture does not prescribe one farming system across every farm, but there are some practices common across our growers on the Texas High Plains. It is common to see practices like minimal tillage, no tillage, crop rotation, livestock integration, cover crops, and more. Stay tuned on our blog to learn more about these specific practices.

Why does regenerative agriculture work on our farms?

To put it simply, regenerative agriculture works on our farms because it is realistic. Regenerative agriculture focuses on farming principles and management mindsets instead of prescribing practices. This approach allows farmers to make the best management decisions for each individual field while improving soil health, fostering farm innovation, and committing to continuous improvement.

Why does regenerative agriculture matter?

Regenerative agriculture aligns with the responsible land management we have been practicing for years. Now, we have a way to describe and quantify what we are doing on the farm. Regenerative agriculture gives us an opportunity to share our farm story with you, the consumer. We want you to know the cotton in your clothes was grown with responsible farming practices by people who care. Regenerative agriculture serves as a vehicle to have these conversations while improving our land at the soil level.

Regenerative agriculture can take on different forms based on local context, but no matter where or what you are farming, it always comes back to soil health.

About Quarterway Cotton Growers: Quarterway Cotton Growers is a cotton gin in Plainview, Texas, that gins for 75 growers on the Texas High Plains who grow cotton with regenerative agricultural practices. We create value for cotton farmers, fashion brands, and retailers by connecting both ends of the cotton supply chain. Learn more at quarterwaycotton.com.