July/August 2026 Our Ohio magazine
Hunting & Conservation is the theme of the July/August issue.
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The following information is provided by Nationwide, your approved insurance and financial services company.
Crop farmers already know that soil health is the foundation of long-term success.
But regenerative agriculture offers an avenue to help improve soil health and productivity for generations to come.
What is regenerative agriculture?
Regenerative agriculture is about improving the health of your soil while making your farm environmentally sustainable and economically viable. Conventional crop production often includes the application of chemical fertilizer and pesticides. But regenerative farming focuses on building soil organic matter without those inputs. It includes practices like:
- Improved biodiversity
- Minimal tillage or no-till
- Optimal water cycles and use
- Crop rotations including cover crops and polycropping
“Regenerative agriculture is about a lot more than just farming practices,” said Nationwide Commercial Complex Loss Consultant Keith King. “It’s about creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that benefits both farmers and their natural environments.”
Why transition to a regenerative farming system
Many regenerative farming practices are not new. But advancements in ag technology are helping refine them to target carbon sequestration. Measuring the intensity of carbon sequestration can help create a new potential revenue stream for farmers integrating regenerative practices in their fields.
Other benefits include:
- Improved soil health. Healthier soil has better water retention, structure and fertility. This reduces the need for costly inputs.
- Higher crop yields over time. Regenerative systems create conditions that support sustainable crop growth. This leads to stable, long-term yields.
- Reduced costs. By using fewer synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, you can reduce overhead while improving your bottom line.
- Ecosystem benefits. Practices like planting cover crops and maintaining perennial vegetation reduce erosion, improve water quality and enhance biodiversity.
- Adaptability to climate change. Healthy soil acts as a carbon sink. This helps mitigate the effects of climate change. It also can boost a farm’s resilience to extreme weather and creating new revenue potential.
Regenerative farming challenges
Transitioning to regenerative farming isn’t without its challenges. Many farmers work with monoculture cropping systems that require pesticide applications. So switching to a polyculture system in which multiple crops are grown at once can be a cultural and operational challenge. And adopting regenerative practices may require upfront investment.
Here are some other common challenges farmers face during this transition:
- Learning curve. Understanding new techniques and how to implement them effectively can take time. This requires education and planning.
- Initial crop yield declines. Farms transitioning from heavy input-dependent systems may experience short-term yield reductions before the benefits of soil regeneration take effect.
- Access to equipment. Transitioning to practices like reduced tillage or cover cropping may require specialized equipment.
- Risk management. Shifting to a regenerative model may expose your farm to new risks like changes in pest or disease dynamics. Having comprehensive crop insurance coverage and a proactive risk management plan are critical during this period of change.
Tips to get started with regenerative farming
Switching from conventional crop farming to regenerative production isn’t always easy. It requires pairing the right practices to your specific acreage. Reduced tillage, for example, may not be a viable option with your soil types, moisture and other conditions. Pest and weed pressures may be too great to manage without chemical herbicides and pesticides.
“Not all regenerative farming practices will work on every farm. Work with your trusted agronomic advisers to identify what will accomplish the environmental benefits you want. Be patient with yourself and take your time. It can take up to five years to reach 100% efficiency in regenerative practices,” King added. “Regenerative practices have to be practical, effective and above all, economically viable.”
Talk to your Nationwide Farm Certified agent today to see if you’re ready to make the switch and explore what it means to your farm’s risk management strategy.
Visit AgInsightCenter.com for more resources and expert tips to help you run a successful business and maintain the safety of your operation.
Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2026 Nationwide.
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Featured Articles
We asked, you answered: What does conservation mean to you and your farming operation?
Conservation practices mean different things to different Farm Bureau members, but the invisible string tying all of them together is a commitment to being stewards of the land.
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Lessons from the woods
The woods have given me lessons, memories and perspective that reach far beyond hunting season. They have taught me patience, humility, gratitude and wonder. That, to me, is outdoor sportsmanship.
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ODNR’s deer donation program will be back in the fall
The Deer Donation program encourages hunters to responsibly harvest additional antlerless deer to help maintain healthy deer populations and reduce numbers in areas where deer may exceed the land’s capacity.
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Outreach, education key to wildlife management
Programs like the youth contest and archery ranges teach the next generation that hunting and conservation are linked, while emphasizing safety and regulatory compliance.
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Vetting hunters who harvest on your property
Vetting hunters who want to hunt on your land by inviting only Farm Bureau members can both help you know something about those hunting on your property and connect hunters to Farm Bureau membership.
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