EARTH:

Earth Action, Reflection, Theology, and Hope

Regenerative Agriculture

Hope for the Planet

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
8 ask the plants of the earth,[a] and they will teach you,
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
9 Who among all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?
10 In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of every human being.
11 Does not the ear test words
as the palate tastes food?
12 Is wisdom with the aged
and understanding in length of days?”

- Job 12: 7-12

Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming that focuses on restoring and enhancing the health of soil, ecosystems, and biodiversity rather than simply sustaining them. It emphasizes practices such as cover cropping, reduced or no tillage, crop rotation, composting, and integrating livestock in ways that mimic natural systems. Instead of relying heavily on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, regenerative methods work with natural processes to rebuild organic matter in the soil, improve water retention, and support a diverse community of microorganisms. The goal is to create resilient agricultural systems that can adapt to environmental stresses while producing healthy food.

This issue is dedicated to bringing regenerative agriculture to the conversaition around climate change, and how what we sow can completely change what we reap.

Eric Diekhans
Editor

Soil in Crisis, Faith in Action

As degraded soil and global fertilizer disruptions threaten our food supply, a growing movement sees regenerative farming not just as a solution—but as a moral calling.

Ancient Wisdom

Renewed Earth

How long-overlooked Indigenous knowledge is now reemerging as a powerful foundation for regenerative agriculture, restoring both the land and the communities who depend on it.

Holy Ground in the Compost Pile

At Princeton Seminary’s Farminary, the humble compost pile becomes a living parable—revealing how decay, renewal, and care for the earth can deepen our understanding of God and creation.

From Dirt to Hope

In the documentaries Kiss the Ground and Common Ground—both available on Amazon Prime Video—viewers discover how regenerative agriculture is transforming farms, restoring soil, and offering a surprising path to address climate change.

Tending the Soul:

Lessons from Good Soil

In Good Soil, Jeff Chu’s journey from novice farmhand to thoughtful theologian reveals how the rhythms of compost, cultivation, and care for the land can mirror—and transform—our spiritual lives.

Growing Hope:

Food Forests and the Work of Justice

From community gardens in Arkansas to a faith-driven walk to Washington, how sustainable food forests are nourishing both land and lives while building more just and resilient communities.