Department of Regenerative Agriculture
The Department of Regenerative Agriculture explores the leading edge of regenerative organic agriculture principles and practices — key to improving soil health, human health, and climate health. Our curriculum emphasizes training in organic agriculture as defined by governments worldwide.
Regenerative Agriculture is a systems-based approach to agriculture that leverages natural ecology to build soil, improve water efficiency, and increase biodiversity while emphasizing healthy food, feed, and fiber systems as the foundation of a strong community. Regenerative Agriculture, as defined by Nature, “Aims at regenerating, renewing, and further improving the soil functions and capabilities for ecosystem services in an always-improving process.” Regenerative agriculture practices capture and store more carbon in the soil and release fewer greenhouse gases than conventional agriculture. And by using regenerative principles, we can revitalize soil biodiversity to enhance ecosystem services — resulting in carbon drawdown and the restoration of the water cycle.
Due to degenerative agricultural practices, the United Nations has reported there are only about 60 growing seasons left before the world’s soil will no longer have the capacity to produce crops. As more food and fashion brands start reviewing their supply chains to improve their environmental footprint and stakeholder value, they no doubt will be thinking about how their raw materials are produced. We are already seeing big corporations like General Mills, Cargill, Kering, and many others invest in regenerative and organic agriculture. And with this global transition comes an increased need for skilled professionals in the agriculture industry that understand both organic and regenerative methods.
Our Regenerative Agriculture programs build an understanding of how to think critically and holistically when considering the design and flourishing of organic agriculture systems. We engage students in the process of learning through hands-on projects, problem-solving, question building, journaling, researching, teaching, and collaborating.
Maharishi International University is the first university in the world to expand the scope of regenerative organic agriculture to include knowledge of how to live in accord with natural law. As we approach the world’s environmental, societal, and economic problems, from local to global, we develop ever-greater creativity and intelligence.