Small Changes, Big Impact: A Closer Look at Regenerative Agriculture

When I joined Open Farm two years ago, I took on a role managing both animal welfare and regenerative agriculture. It’s a unique position, but one that makes sense for Open Farm because we see these two areas as intrinsically linked through what we call the virtuous cycle. 

What Is Regenerative Agriculture? 

At its core, regenerative agriculture is about working with nature to improve soil and land health within an ecosystem, support animal welfare, and produce better outcomes over time. Throughout my career, and in my hands-on work with farms across our supply chain, I’ve seen how closely these systems are linked, how the way we raise animals and manage land directly impacts everything from soil health to the quality of ingredients we produce, and reinforces the importance of ethical farming practices to reduce environmental impact. 

I started my professional career in animal welfare, but the expansion into regenerative agriculture has been shaped both professionally and personally. Through my work with Open Farm’s network of farmers—and at home, alongside my farmer husband, who has been implementing regenerative farming approaches on our farm for years—I’ve had a front-row seat to what it really takes to make these systems work. It’s rarely a straight line. There are wins, setbacks, and constant adjustments, but over time, those experiences have deepened my understanding of how thoughtful land management, soil health, and animal welfare all work together.    

Why Small Changes on the Farm Matter 

Recently, my husband and I were chatting about work one evening, and he said, “I look at how I farm and manage the land very differently than when I started.” He went on to describe the impact of moving to no-till practices, what cover crop mix he might plant next, and what amendments he might use to “feed the microbes.” He also pointed out, quite firmly, that I should stop driving on the grass when I back the car out of our driveway because of the soil compaction damage I’m causing (and how long it will take to repair). 

What struck me about that conversation was that he was really talking about the small details he now considers every day. And it’s all those small decisions, working together, that create meaningful impact. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the farms that stand out most, both in my personal experience and through my work at Open Farm, are the ones that not only understand these details, but bring them together into a holistic system that works for their land, their animals, and their future. 

That idea—that small, intentional changes, and how they work together, can drive meaningful outcomes—is also what guides how we think about supporting regenerative agriculture practices at Open Farm. 

Supporting Regenerative Agriculture This Earth Day 

This Earth Day, Open Farm is proud to expand on our regenerative work by donating $10,000 to the Soil & Climate Initiative (SCI), a holistic regenerative agriculture transition program. This funding will directly promote sustainable farming practices by providing soil testing, agronomic and farm planning support, technical advisory services, and tools to measure soil health outcomes and track progress over time. It will also give farmers access to a peer network and opportunities for farmer-to-farmer mentorship, because learning from each other is one of the most powerful drivers of change.  

SCI is the third program Open Farm is actively working with as part of our goal to support regenerative agriculture across 1 million acres of farmland. This donation, in addition to the donation we made to the Savory Institute, brings our acreage commitment to 150,000 to date. It also builds on the launch of our Land to Market Verified Lamb Lung Treat in 2025 as well as ongoing work with Regenified on select non-meat ingredients (stay tuned for more details), all part of our broader sustainability initiatives. 

As I reflect on this Earth Day, I’m reminded that meaningful change doesn’t just happen all at once—it happens through the combination of small, intentional decisions made over time. And when those decisions are guided by a commitment to soil health, animal welfare, and long-term sustainability, they can add up to something much bigger, helping to create a more resilient food system for animals and the planet.