Can We Grow Regenerative Organic at Scale?
- Michelle Donath
- Jul 8, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
And could Australia lead the way, or is that wishful thinking wrapped in compostable cling wrap?

Organic eating has become a kind of shorthand for “doing better". But in a country like Australia, known for its vast landscapes, export-heavy farming, and supermarket duopolies, it’s fair to ask:
Can organic agriculture actually feed us all?
Or is it just a boutique ideal, fine for inner-city farmers markets, but not scalable for regional Australia or global exports?
This isn’t about bashing convention or glorifying kale. It’s about being honest: if we want healthy food systems, what would actually need to change?
Why Pesticides Matter (Beyond Just Dirty Dozen Lists)
This isn’t about scaring anyone into a $14 punnet of strawberries. It’s about understanding what we’re being exposed to, and what that means for our bodies and our ecosystems over time.
Pesticides are designed to disrupt. They kill pests, weeds, fungi, and other “invaders". But the thing is… our biology isn’t always great at telling the difference.
Even low-dose, long-term exposure can impact:
Brain development in children
Chronic inflammation and immune regulation
Hormonal balance (many pesticides are endocrine disruptors)
Gut health—altering microbiome diversity
Environmental contamination (soil, water, pollinators, wildlife)
And while the dose may make the poison, the reality is:
Some of us are swimming in it. And we don’t even know it’s happening.
Why Some Bodies Struggle More
Certain genetic variants can reduce your ability to detoxify or neutralise pesticides efficiently.
Gene | Role | When It’s Less Efficient... |
GSTs | Detox of pesticides + pollutants | More oxidative stress + inflammation |
PON1 | Breaks down organophosphates | Linked to slower pesticide breakdown |
CYPs | Liver phase I metabolism | Can create reactive intermediates |
Takeaway: Some people can handle small exposures. Others can’t.
What Is Organic?
In Australia, the organic label means:
No synthetic pesticides or herbicides
No artificial fertilisers
No GMOs
Strict certification (ACO, NASAA)
But organic doesn’t guarantee soil health or sustainability. Some organic farms are biodiverse, lush microcosms. Others are still monocultures, just without glyphosate.
Organic vs. Regenerative
Criteria | Certified Organic (AU) | Regenerative (AU) |
Pesticide Use | No synthetic chemicals | Focus on soil regeneration; may vary |
Soil Health Focus | Encouraged, not required | Core principle |
Biodiversity Practices | Varies by farm | Built-in to approach |
Carbon Sequestration | Not required | Goal: draw carbon into soil |
Certification | ACO/NASAA etc. | No formal standard (yet) |
Can We Farm Organically and Regeneratively?
Short answer: Yes. And we probably should.
But there’s often confusion between organic and regenerative, like they’re two different tribes. The truth is, they are different tools. And the real power? Comes when they’re used together.
Organic focuses on what you don’t use: no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilisers.
Regenerative focuses on what you build: healthier soil, better water retention, more biodiversity.
You can do one without the other. But when you combine both, farming without synthetic inputs and prioritising soil health, microbial diversity, and ecological balance, you get the gold standard:
Organically regenerative farming.
It’s not about being purist. It’s about being smart.
Focus | Organic Farming | Regenerative Farming | Organically Regenerative 🌱 |
Synthetic Inputs | None | Sometimes allowed | None |
Soil Health Practices | Optional or inconsistent | Core principle | Built in |
Focus on Biodiversity | Varies by farm | Required | Prioritised |
Carbon & Water Systems | Not a standard metric | Central focus | Measured and improved |
Certification | ACO, NASAA (can be costly) | No unified system yet | Depends—many go uncertified |
This is the future of farming, less extractive, more intelligent. But it needs support, time, and a shift in how we measure “success".
And honestly? It needs us, as eaters, buyers, and citizens, to back the farms doing it right.
So… Can We Scale Organic Regen in Australia?
Let’s dig into it, literally and figuratively.
Yields: Will We Run Out of Food?
Compared to conventional farming, organic systems can produce 5–35% lower yields, especially early on.
But that can change over time, especially with regenerative methods that rebuild soil, water retention, and plant resilience.
But here’s what’s often missed: yield isn’t everything. If what we grow is nutrient-poor, stored too long, or wasted, we’re still malnourished, just with full shelves.
Food Waste
Australia throws out 7.6 million tonnes of food every year. That’s over 300kg per person, and 30% of that isn’t coming from restaurants or warehouses.
Households are responsible for about 30% of the total. This equals around 2.5 million tonnes per year and costs each household up to $2,500.
So before we talk about needing “more food,” I think it’s fair to ask:
Are we even using what we already have?
Let’s Be Honest, We’ve All Done It
You buy the bag of spinach with optimism. It melts into the crisper like it never existed. You cook once and tell yourself you’ll eat leftovers tomorrow. Then tomorrow becomes three days, and suddenly, it’s a biology experiment. You forget what’s in the back of the fridge. We’ve all been there.
This isn’t about blame. It’s about noticing.
Because when we throw food away, we’re not just wasting money. We’re wasting:
The water it took to grow it
The fuel it took to transport it
The nutrients it could’ve given your body
And the greenhouse gases it releases as it rots in landfill
That’s a lot riding on a bag of slimy lettuce.
It’s Not Just Households
Food waste is everywhere, in farms, factories, cafes, supermarkets. Perfectly edible food gets rejected because it’s the wrong shape, size, colour, or timing. A box of bananas can be discarded just because it’s a little too ripe to look good on the shelf.
But here’s the part that matters:
We have influence. As buyers. As eaters. As people who ask better questions.
If we buy the imperfect produce, supermarkets order more of it.
If we support growers who pick to order, less sits in cold storage.
If we normalise leftovers, food stops being disposable.
We’re not powerless. We’re part of the system. And that means we’re part of the solution.
What’s Already Happening in Australia?
OzHarvest rescues surplus food and redistributes it to people in need.
Love Food Hate Waste (NSW Government) helps households reduce kitchen waste.
Foodbank Australia works with farmers, retailers, and manufacturers to rescue usable food.
Community compost programs are growing in cities and suburbs.
My Tips to Reduce Food Waste
Plan meals with flexible ingredients (e.g., roasted veg → soup → frittata)
Learn how to store produce properly (herbs in water, carrots in sealed containers)
Use peels, stems, and bones for broths, hello, Flourish Finish!
Compost food scraps if possible, even apartment systems exist
Get curious about what’s “still good”, best before ≠ bad
What we waste often contains the very nutrients we need most. The parsley stems you toss? Packed with apigenin and folate.
What About Farmers? The People in the Middle of All This
We need to be clear: Farmers are not the problem, they’re the ones stuck between a rock and a rigid system.
They're under pressure to keep yields high while input costs climb.
Most don’t control pricing, especially in commodity markets.
Switching to organic or regen practices is risky, time-consuming, and expensive.
The truth? Many farmers likely want to do better. But they don’t have the bandwidth, safety net, or systemic support to shift.
What Could Help Aussie Farmers Shift to Regenerative Practices?
Support Type | Real Examples / Ideas |
Transition Grants | Pay farmers to rebuild soil over 3–5 years |
Local Regen Hubs | Demo farms, community compost, knowledge share |
Price Incentives | Premiums for biodiversity, soil testing, carbon |
National Regen Label | Like organic but for ecosystem health |
Debt Relief Models | Tied to environmental outcomes |
Training Pathways | On-farm apprenticeships in regen methods |
Bottom Line: Can Australia Go Organic Regen at Scale?
Not overnight. Not without systems change. But the better question might be:
Can we afford not to shift toward regenerative, nutrient-rich food?
Because:
We’re already wasting 1/3 of what we grow
Our soil health is declining
Chronic disease is rising
And our farmers are burning out, while trying to feed us
Australia has:
Space
Climate diversity
Bright minds
A history of agricultural innovation
What we need now is policy, patience, and a culture shift toward real food and real ecosystems.