Frank Zambrelli, executive director of Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business’ Responsible Business Coalition returns to the conversation to discuss how and why businesses should encourage the widespread adoption of regenerative agricultural practices. This low- and no-till, pesticide-free approach to farming can restore soil health, build new topsoil to replace what has been lost to run-off and wind, and provide food and raw materials with substantially lower environmental impacts than traditionally farmed alternatives. But the regenerative techniques must be widely adopted, even by industrial farming conglomerates, to reach a scale that can help feed, clothe, and supply society with sustainable raw materials.
The power of regenerative agriculture as a restorative investment for the future lies in the fact that it can be put into practice relatively easily to improve crop yields and profits from the same amount of farmland in short order, just a few years, according to Frank. However, there is lag time between embracing environmentally responsible goals and seeing the results in the market.
Frank points out that there will be many approaches to regeneration, which is essential to developing a diverse, sustainable agriculture for the future — both in the biological and social sense. The question is how we finance the transition. Your spending sends a signal that can support regenerative investment. When shopping for this year’s holiday gifts, look for regenerative labels, including those from The Textile Exchange, Land to Market, and Fashion for Good’s Renewable Carbon Textiles Project.
You can learn more about Fordham’s Responsible Business Coalition and read or watch many useful briefings at fordham.edu/gabelli-school-of-business/industry-collaborations/responsible-business-coalition.
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This podcast originally aired on October 24, 2022.