Part V of V: Creating the Conditions for Regeneration to Thrive

Signs posted on a tree at Oases Botanic Gardens.

Policy Shapes Possibility

The Barriers for Farmers & Ranchers to Adopt Regenerative Agriculture in the U.S. report identifies policy as one of the most powerful levers for transforming agriculture. Current policies overwhelmingly support industrial systems through subsidies, crop insurance, and land‑use regulations that disadvantage small producers. Urban farmers face additional hurdles: zoning restrictions, short‑term leases, and limited access to federal programs designed for rural farms. Expanded levers and opportunities for us farmers to consider include:

Zoning Reform and Urban Agriculture Protections

Zoning laws determine whether a farm can build a hoop house, sell produce on‑site, or even exist at all. Advocating for zoning that explicitly protects urban agriculture ensures that farms are recognized as legitimate land uses. These protections reduce uncertainty, attract investment, and prevent sudden displacement due to development pressures.

Municipal Land Access and Long‑Term Leases

Cities often control vacant lots that could be transformed into thriving community farms. When municipalities create programs that offer long‑term leases, tax incentives, or land transfers, they give farmers the stability needed to invest in soil health and infrastructure. Long‑term access also allows farms to plant perennials, build compost systems, and create lasting community assets.

Access to State and Federal Grants

Many conservation and beginning‑farmer programs were designed for rural contexts, but urban farmers can still benefit from them with the right support. Grants for soil health, water conservation, and infrastructure can help small growers scale their impact. Advocating for urban‑specific adaptations ensures that these programs become more accessible over time.

Healthy Soil Policies That Include Cities

State‑level soil health initiatives often overlook urban agriculture, yet cities are where soil restoration can have the greatest social impact. Including urban farms in healthy soil policies brings funding, technical assistance, and legitimacy to regenerative practices in neighborhoods that need them most.

Coalition Building and Regional Advocacy

Urban farmers rarely have the time or capacity to influence policy alone. By joining coalitions with rural farmers, environmental groups, and community organizations, they amplify their voice. Coalitions can push for farm bill reforms, state legislation, and city planning decisions that support regenerative agriculture across the entire region.

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Inspired by the 2020 report Barriers for Farmers & Ranchers to Adopt Regenerative Agriculture in the U.S., this is the final article of a 5-part blog series, Regenerative Roots, authored by Jennifer O’Connor of Guidelight Strategies. Her landmark report draws on hundreds of interviews to reveal the cultural, economic, ecological, and equity challenges shaping today’s food system,  and the opportunities for transformation. Our series breaks these insights down for small urban farmers, offering practical, community-rooted guidance on soil health, justice, supply chains, storytelling, and policy. 

Whether you’re tending a backyard bed or stewarding a community farm, these articles will help you grow with purpose, resilience, and regeneration at the center.