Avena RegenAg Protocol

What are ARAP standards based on?

Three Core Areas and Seven Pillars

Avena used three core areas of regen ag (soil, biodiversity, and water systems) to identify seven pillars that underpin regen ag for Prairie crops and biomes:

1. Crop Diversity: Just as people need a varied diet to stay healthy, soil thrives on a spectrum of diverse plants. A varied rotation including nitrogen-fixing crops like pulses is reduces fertilizer need and protects long-term soil health.
2. Minimizing Tillage: Tilling is an integral part of seeding, residue integration, and weed management, and can reduce the need for pesticides. Too much tilling leaves the soil exposed to erosion and harms the health of the soil.
3. Maximizing Soil Cover: Soil erosion is a major risk to long-term farm fertility. By leaving soil covered with things like catch crops, mulches, or crop residues, erosion can be minimized.
4. Smarter Pesticide Use: Pesticides, including herbicides and fungicides, are effective at controlling pests and protecting crops, but can harm ecosystem, and even human health, especially if used near bodies of water. Responsible usage of pesticides is a requirement for ARAP.
5. Smarter Fertilizer Use: Fertilizers, if overused, can lead to eutrophication in bodies of water, decimating surrounding ecosystems. They are expensive and energy-intensive to make and are in many cases overused.
6. Water System Protection: Water conservation can refer to both water usage and the protection of aquatic ecosystems. Limiting irrigation and ensuring precautions are taken to limit field runoff are essential to water conservation.
7. Habitat Preservation: Wild areas serve as habitat and breeding grounds for many native Prairie species, including the beloved Monarch butterflies. By retaining a patchwork of natural areas such as forest stands and pollinator strips across the prairies, ecosystems can restore themselves to a more natural and sustainable state.