Soil is the lifeblood of agriculture and the foundation of our food system. Yet, conventional farming practices that utilize chemical pesticides and fertilizers have pushed this precious resource to the brink, depleting its nutrients, structure, and ability to support life. Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) farmers are flipping the script, choosing agricultural practices that are “Loyal to the Soil”, and proving that farming can heal the land.
The number one priority in regenerative organic agriculture is soil health. It recognizes that soil health is intrinsically linked to the total health of our food system and affects everything from plant health to human wellbeing and the future of our planet.
ROC practices build upon the solid foundation of USDA Organic certification, adding layers of accountability that ensure farms actively regenerate ecosystems and local communities. They do so by restoring soil, not just avoiding harm. Organic standards prohibit harmful inputs like synthetic pesticides and GMO’s, and ROC continues to build on that by requiring practices that actively rebuild soil health, requiring measurable improvements in soil quality over time.
About the Regenerative Organic Alliance
Regenerative Organic Farmers Stay Loyal to the Soil
For ROC farmers, being loyal to the soil means:
· Prioritizing Soil Health – Through cover cropping, composting, low-till farming and rotational grazing, ROC farms increase organic matter, promote biodiversity, and prevent erosion which in turn creates resilient soils that support nutrient-dense crops and sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
· Thinking Long-Term – Regenerative organic farming focuses on the future, ensuring that soil remains fertile and productive for generations to come.
· Farming in Harmony with Nature – ROC farmers view their land as part of a larger ecosystem, prioritizing practices that restore balance rather than disrupt it.
ROC = Transparency Across the Supply Chain
Every product bearing the ROC label comes from farms that meet rigorous standards for soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. ROC certification helps consumers make informed choices about the products they purchase and supporting farmers and brands who are actively improving human and planetary health.. This level of transparency builds trust between farmers and consumers. ROC isn’t just a label; it’s a movement built on transparency.
Pocono Organics – Leading at the Intersection of Soil Health and Human Health
Diagnosed in her late 20s with gastroparesis, a paralyzed stomach which prevents people from digesting food properly, Pocono Organics president and founder, Ashley Walsh, found herself at a dead end with traditional medicine that suggested feeding tubes and various medications for her to be ‘well’.Those options set Ashley on a discovery path with an organic diet and lifestyle where she found the health benefits, relief, and hope she sought.
But, two thoughts kept running through her head – first, “How could I help others experience the healing power of food?”; second, “I can’t find a reliable local source of great, nutrient-dense organic foods.”Those thoughts led her to a vision of Pocono Organics in 2015. Ashley’s vision came to life in July, 2018 at the farm’s groundbreaking ceremony on 50 acres of land in Long Pond, Pa. Having acquired additional farmland, Pocono Organics is now one of the largest Regenerative Organic Certified® vegetable farms in North America at over 380 acres!
Pocono Organics has quickly become a trusted food source and employer for the regional community and a collaborator with like-minded organizations such as Rodale Institute, Regenerative Organic Alliance, Dr. Bronner’s, the Crop Trust, and Patagonia Provisions who are focused on global environmental and food sustainability.
From Ashley’s personal journey with organic foods and environmentally responsible farming practices to its environmental design and educational, hands-on programs, Pocono Organics creates moments and experiences that inspire change and transform lives through research, education, and innovation.
A Shared Commitment
Being “Loyal to the Soil” is a commitment to a healthier planet that we all can share. Whether it’s by choosing products that support regenerative organic agriculture, composting at home, or educating others about the importance of soil health, we each play a role in creating a healthier future. By staying Loyal to the Soil, together, we can restore the land, rebuild trust, and regenerate our planet from the ground up.
Here’s how you can help:
- Choose Regenerative Organic Certified® Products: Look for the ROC® seal when shopping. It guarantees your purchase supports soil regeneration, ethical labor practices, and animal welfare.
- Ask Questions About Your Food: At farmers’ markets or grocery stores, ask about farming practices. Show interest in how your food is grown—it creates demand for transparency and better standards.
- Compost Your Food Waste: By composting at home, you return valuable nutrients to the soil and reduce waste in landfills.
- Advocate for Regenerative Organic Practices: Urge policymakers and local leaders to support regenerative organic agriculture through subsidies, education, and legislation.
- Get Involved: Join workshops, webinars, or events to learn more about how you can protect soil health and make a difference in your corner of the world.
- Educate others about the importance of soil health – check out our Loyal to the Soil social media toolkit and share with your friends and family