This video by NowThis Earth describes what regenerative farming is and how it can be used to rebuild topsoil and provide a sustainable method of producing food.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This video shows students how less intensive farming practices are beneficial for the planet.
Additional Prerequisites
You could introduce information about industrial farming and fertilizers prior to showing this video.
Differentiation
Students could start their own compost bin at home or research the benefits of mulch for community gardens.
This is a great video to tie into science lessons about nutrient cycling, the importance of decomposers, and photosynthesis.
Other resources with more information include this lesson and this mini course.
Scientist Notes
Regenerative agricultural practice is beneficial to soil health, human health and can help cut down CO2 emissions. It is a good method for storing carbon in soil and can help reduce pest infestations on crops. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS2: Earth's Systems
MS-ESS2-1 Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth's materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
MS-LS2-4 Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
MS-LS2-5 Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.3 Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.
