Introducing the Regenerative Agriculture Certification for Coffee

The best part of morning is that first cup of coffee. Whether you drink it hot or cold, it’s the most popular beverage in the US. Around 154 million Americans drink coffee every day, according to a news release from the  National Coffee Association and coffee consumption continues to rise. But today’s consumers are looking for more than just any cup of coffee.

Organic and fairtrade certified coffees from organizations like the Rainforest Alliance that ensure that almost 8 million coffee farmers earn a living wage according to Cause Artist. Now the Rainforest Alliance has announced a new specialized Regenerative Agriculture Certification or seal that is designed to help farmers and companies improve their livelihoods and the environment at the same time.

“Markets need to move beyond a ‘do no harm’ mindset to one that repairs and restores,” Santiago Gowland, CEO of the Rainforest Alliance said in a press release from the organization. “This certification aims to make that transition possible by ensuring farming contributes positively to both the land and the people who depend on it.”

Regenerative Agriculture
This announcement came at a crucial time for agriculture when climate change and environmental degradation continue to diminish crop yields and threaten the livelihood of millions of coffee growers in poorer countries around the world, explained the press release. That’s where regenerative agriculture comes in.

Regenerative agriculture is a climate-smart method of farming that is science based and can improve income and help the environment at the same time. The new certification is based on these five areas of regenerative agriculture: soil health, biodiversity, climate resilience, water stewardship, and livelihood. Farmers who successfully implement these practices can build more resilient and productive farms while gaining new markets for their coffee.

Implementing the New Certification
The regenerative agriculture standards are already being implemented in coffee farms in Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico, and Nicaragua. The companies that buy from these farms are getting ready for when the new certification begins in 2026, according to Cause Artist.

Independent auditors will review both the farms and the companies that produce the coffee. While the certification is only for coffee, there are plans to expand to cocoa, tea, and citrus.

This seal will protect consumers who want their coffee to be fair to the people who grow it and to give back to the planet too. So, the next time you order coffee in a café, make it organic, fairtrade, and regenerative agriculture certified.