What it Actually Takes to Become Regenerative Organic
Insights from our recent feature in AgFunderNews on farming for the future—even when you’ve been doing it for a century.
Long before "regenerative agriculture" became a buzzword, our family was working by a simple motto: "Leave the land better than you found it."
Recently, AgFunderNews sat down with Brita and Bryce Lundberg to discuss our journey to achieving Regenerative Organic Certification® (ROC). While our organic roots go back to the 1960s, earning this new gold standard wasn't automatic. It required a deep dive into everything from soil health to social fairness.
Read on for the highlights from our conversation about what it really takes to farm for the next generation.
A Century of Stewardship
For us, ROC isn't a pivot—it's a validation. It confirms practices we've held dear since the 1930s. As Brita shared, "It felt like a validation of the fact that we've been farming regeneratively for generations."
Redefining "No-Till"
Regenerative farming isn't "one size fits all." While "no-till" is common, our heavy clay soil requires conservation tillage to manage cover crops. The ROC standards have evolved to recognize that true regeneration adapts to the land's unique needs.
Partners in Flight
We don't raise cattle, but we do host livestock! Our farms are located along the Pacific Flyway. By flooding our fields in winter, we provide essential habitat for thousands of ducks, geese, and swans—proving you can support animal welfare without owning a single cow.
The Human Element
Regenerative isn't just about soil; it's about people. The ROC audit goes beyond the field, interviewing team members to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions. It's a holistic look at the health of the entire farm ecosystem.
"We didn't want to end up having consumers choose between organic and regenerative-organic certified... We're keeping regenerative-organic certified rice at the forefront of our innovation strategy."
Read the Full Story
Dive deeper into the details of certification, the role of data in modern farming, and how we are bringing regenerative rice to your pantry.
Read on AgFunderNews