Across Europe, the way we farm is under the spotlight like never before. As concerns grow over climate change, biodiversity loss and the long-term health of our soils, farmers, scientists and consumers alike are asking: how can we keep producing the food we need, without destroying the very ecosystems that support us?
One solution getting increasing attention is regenerative agriculture — a way of farming that puts soil health, biodiversity and climate resilience at its core. But while the ideas are compelling, until recently we didn’t have solid data at scale to prove just how well these approaches worked in the real world.
That’s now changing thanks to the Regenerative Agriculture Revolution in Europe. The largest ever study of regenerative farming, spearheaded by EIT Food and supported by the European Union. Their EARA (European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture), published after surveying over 78 regenerating farms in 14 countries covering over 7,000 hectares, shines a light on why regenerative farming isn’t just a buzzword, but an essential pathway forward. This ground-breaking research has already delivered results that could reshape how we think about farming for the future.
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What is regenerative farming?
Regenerative farming goes beyond simply being “sustainable.” Rather than just reducing harm, it actively seeks to improve and restore natural systems.
It’s about:
• Building healthy, living soils that can capture more carbon and retain water better.
• Encouraging biodiversity, from soil microbes to insects and birds, creating balanced ecosystems.
• Grazing livestock in ways that mimic nature, avoiding overgrazing and letting grasslands recover.
• Cutting out excessive chemical inputs, favouring composts and natural fertilisers instead.
Unlike industrial monocultures or heavy chemical systems, regenerative methods see the farm as part of a wider ecological community. Healthy soil becomes the foundation of everything — locking away carbon, supporting plant growth, and filtering water.
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Europe’s largest ever study puts regenerative farming to the test
Until now, much of what we knew about regenerative agriculture came from smaller, local projects. That’s where EARA’s work is so important. Their landmark study benchmarked 78 regenerating farms across 14 countries, covering over 7,000 hectares, comparing them directly with neighbouring and national average conventional farms.
The aim? To bust the myth that Europe’s food security relies on high-input, synthetic-heavy agriculture. The study demonstrates that a truly resilient food system isn’t built on ever-increasing chemical inputs and fragile yields — but on a more balanced, regenerative partnership with nature.
The early findings are not just promising — they’re remarkable.
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The hard data: how regenerative farms stack up
The EARA study has so far revealed that regenerative farms:
✅ Use 62% less nitrogen fertiliser and 76% fewer pesticides than their conventional counterparts. That’s a huge reduction in synthetic inputs, which not only saves costs but dramatically lowers risks of water pollution and damage to insect populations.
✅ Boost biodiversity and soil health by 15–25%, meaning more beneficial insects, richer microbial life, and healthier, more resilient ecosystems that can withstand droughts or heavy rains.
✅ Lower soil temperatures, deepen plant roots and increase photosynthesis rates, all of which make crops more robust and help soils capture and store more carbon.
Perhaps most impressively, despite cutting back so dramatically on chemicals, these farms still produce comparable yields. In other words, farmers aren’t having to sacrifice productivity to be better stewards of the land.
To give a clear snapshot, EARA’s analysis found regenerative farms scored 27% higher on a new full-productivity index, which weighs not just crop output, but also climate resilience, biodiversity impacts, and farm profitability. Compared to traditional farming, that’s a powerful case for change.
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Why it matters for farmers (and their bottom line)
One of the biggest concerns for any farmer considering a shift to new methods is simple: can my business survive it?
The EARA study directly addresses this by showing that regenerative practices can actually improve the long-term economic health of farms. By reducing expensive inputs like synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and by building soils that naturally hold water and nutrients better, farms become less dependent on costly external inputs and more resilient to market swings or climate extremes.
Plus, with consumer demand for sustainably produced food on the rise, farms embracing regenerative methods may find themselves better positioned to command premium prices or tap into new markets.
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A win for climate and communities
The benefits don’t stop on the farm. Healthier soils mean more carbon locked away underground, helping tackle climate change. Richer biodiversity supports pollinators and natural pest controls, reducing the need for sprays. Cleaner water and air benefit local communities.
At the same time, regenerative systems are often more labour intensive in ways that can support local rural jobs and skills. They also tend to strengthen ties between farmers, local food businesses and consumers who care where their food comes from.
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What this could mean for Europe’s future
With hard data now backing up what many farmers and ecologists have long suspected, the EARA project could help drive a genuine shift in European farming. Policymakers will be watching these results closely as they shape future EU agricultural strategies and incentives.
It’s likely we’ll see more funding for regenerative training, peer-to-peer farmer networks, and support for investments like cover cropping or compost systems that help transition fields. Retailers and brands may also lean in more, developing certifications or sourcing commitments that give regenerative farms clearer market rewards.
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Why this matters for Butchery Bocs
At Butchery Bocs, we’ve always believed that truly great meat starts on the farm. The findings of this landmark study back up what we’ve supported for years: that farming in harmony with nature doesn’t just protect the land, it also produces exceptional food.
We work closely with farmers who prioritise animal welfare, soil health, and biodiversity — values that align with the regenerative principles highlighted in EARA’s research. By sourcing from like-minded Welsh farms that look after their animals and the land, we’re helping to build a food system that’s resilient, sustainable, and genuinely good for people and the planet.
For us, this isn’t a marketing buzzword. It’s about securing the future of our farms, communities, and countryside — so you can enjoy incredible cuts of meat today, knowing they come from farming that cares for tomorrow.
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The bottom line
For years, regenerative agriculture has been talked about as an exciting idea, but often without robust evidence to quiet sceptics. Thanks to the EARA project, we now have the largest dataset in the world showing that regenerative methods don’t just help the planet — they maintain productivity, slash synthetic inputs, boost biodiversity and improve overall farm resilience.
In a time of climate uncertainty and growing demand for food that’s both ethical and sustainable, that’s a hopeful message. It also offers a clear roadmap for how Europe — and potentially the wider world — can farm in a way that restores rather than depletes the natural systems we all rely on.