What's the Difference?
Regenerative, Biodynamic, Permaculture, and Food Forests
Oct. 1, 2024
Above left: Regenerative practices written by Bear and presentation by Milly.
I have been recently asked what the difference is between Regenerative agriculture, Biodynamic Agriculture , Permaculture and Food Forests so I did a little research. This is not comprehensive or in depth. All these topics are much more nuanced and can take pages or books to describe and understand. This is just a very brief look at them.
What they have in common is they are all ways to improve the soil health in order to grow more and healthier produce. They all talk about harmony, balance and restoring a more natural ecosystem to the soil and everything around and on it including humans.
What the difference is in how they go about it and their focus.
Regenerative agriculture focuses on no till, cover crops, crop rotation, compost and manures adding as little synthetic fertilizers and other chemicals as possible. It incorporates animals as well as plants in a healthy balance to restore the soil.
Biodynamic agriculture views the farm as a living organism and ecosystem. It incorporates regenerative techniques with a focus on keeping things local both in and out of the garden. Planting by the astrological calendar. It treats the farm/garden as a whole, with each part nurturing the others.
Permaculture is based on the idea that natural ecosystems can be used as a model for human land use. It focuses on patterns and closed loop systems. Mimics natural system.
Food forests focus on mimicking the natural layering of natural woods. They identify 7 layers and plant something in all or most of them, from the root zone to the over canopy. This system uses the plants and their decomposing leaves as soil amendments.
In conclusion I see more similarities than differences in these styles of garden/farming. I think they all work and it is up to us to decide which suits our life situation and growing space best. Please do your own research into the one that most interests you.
Submitted by Dianna Wiklund, Garden Coordinator
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