Regenerative Agriculture Initiative
Program Overview
Program Overview
The Regenerative Agriculture Initiative explores how agriculture and food systems can restore ecosystems, strengthen communities, and support a more just and resilient economy. Through applied learning, research, events, and partnerships, the initiative advances food and land justice, workers’ rights, climate resilience, and regenerative business models that create and distribute value more equitably. We connect students with farmers, businesses, investors, and community organizations to develop practical solutions that allow people and the planet to thrive.
The Course
Regenerative Agriculture & Just Food Systems Lab
Offered in the spring, the Regenerative Agriculture & Just Food Systems Lab capstone is a project-based clinic course for students to work with external businesses and organizations to support a just and thriving agricultural community and food system for people and the planet. The Lab hosts four semester-long projects centered on regenerative and just solutions in agriculture and the food system locally, nationally, and globally. The Lab engages with deeply challenging questions facing agricultural communities and producer-consumer networks today, encouraged by the prospect that regenerative approaches may hold the promise of repairing long-standing patterns of social, economic, and ecological exploitation and have a positive impact on the climate crisis.
The Lab explores and supports work in regenerative agriculture and just food systems such as:
(a) community and smallholder farmer-centered approaches that are climate resilient and employ just practices for workers and people,
(b) operational or business planning for land-based agriculture, agroforestry, and/or ocean farming,
(c) equitable and resilient business models, and
(d) reparative finance and investing practices.
Independent Studies
CBEY Resident Fellow Tagan Engel advises students undertaking independent studies throughout the academic year. Past projects have produced articles, reports, slide decks, policy memos, and other applied resources.
Students can pursue independent studies in two ways:
Application-based: CBEY works with public partners to curate two to four credit-bearing independent studies that may last one semester or span the full academic year. Projects may be completed individually or in teams. Applications typically open in early to mid-August, with projects beginning at the start of the fall semester.
Student-proposed: Students may also bring their own project ideas forward for consideration, either individually or as a team. Contact Tagan Engel to discuss a potential project and learn more.
Events
We collaborate and partner with groups both inside and outside of Yale to host events that bring together the people working to build more regenerative, just, and resilient food systems, from farmers, food entrepreneurs, and business leaders to researchers, investors, policymakers, students, and community advocates.
These gatherings include:
The Big Connecticut Food Event, which connects emerging food and beverage businesses with industry expertise and potential partners
The Yale Food Systems Symposium, which creates space to explore important ideas and challenges shaping food and agriculture
Various speaker events featuring practitioners who are putting regenerative principles into action.
Across these events, we share practical knowledge, elevate diverse perspectives, and foster the relationships needed to move promising ideas forward. You can see several of the events we've hosted at the bottom of this page.
Insights and Past Projects
contact info
If you are an organization that would like to learn more or potentially get involved in this initiative, reach out to us at cbey@yale.edu.
