California State University, Chico
IN-25: Innovation B

The Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (RAI) was established by the Institute for Sustainable Development at California State University, Chico in 2016. The RAI is comprised of a working group of multi-disciplinary faculty who have come together to develop collaborative research and teaching strategies for the primary purpose of drawing down legacy levels of greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration and ecosystem service restoration. This science-based effort will have far reaching implications across disciplines in areas of climate and food policy, agricultural husbandry practices, food justice, business models, as well as local food sheds. The intent of this group is to spur the creation of an educational focus investigating agriculture that restores climate stability from a trans-disciplinary perspective and ultimately to share best practices from the initiative’s research efforts with society and the broader agricultural community. RAI Mission: The Regenerative Agriculture Initiative aims to investigate, develop, demonstrate, and educate about comprehensive, regenerative practices that both restore and enhance the resiliency of living systems. RAI Goals: Develop interdisciplinary teams that research innovative methods and strategies resulting in practical, transferable, and transformative solutions to regenerate soils and ecosystems. Develop a multi-sector network that includes academics, farmers, industry leaders, community members, and policy makers to implement and realize the benefits of these solutions. Develop and implement strategies for creating multi-scale food security (local to global). Support policy to create equitable, healthy and resilient societies by transforming food systems. RAI Priorities: Transform agricultural and urban landscapes through regenerative practices. Promote policy that advances food systems, sequesters carbon and reduces carbon emissions, creates food security, and revitalizes landscapes. Address issues of drought and water and soil quality degradation by working within the framework of ecosystem services to restore and enhance nutrient and water cycles, biodiversity and energy flow. Create a collaborative network of applied research, learning centers, and demonstration sites with partnering farms and universities. Create interdisciplinary experiential learning opportunities. Create venues and communication platforms that foster open dialogue, discourse, and dissemination. Forge national and international collaborations with academic institutions, agencies, and nonprofits focused on best management practices that can reverse the effects of climate change and soil loss.