Regenerative Organic Alliance

The Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) is a U.S.-based nonprofit coalition that developed and manages the Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) standard, one of the most comprehensive and rigorous certification frameworks for sustainable agriculture globally. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, the ROA was established through a collaboration among Patagonia, Dr. Bronner’s, and the Rodale Institute, bringing together expertise from advocacy, business, and research to define a new gold standard for farming. The ROC standard is built on three interconnected pillars: soil health, animal welfare, and farmer and worker fairness, reflecting a holistic understanding of what it means for agriculture to be truly regenerative and just. Certified farms must demonstrate continuous improvement across all three areas, ensuring that regenerative practices deliver benefits not only to soil and biodiversity but also to the human communities involved in food production. The ROA works with farmers, brands, and certifiers to expand adoption of the ROC standard across global supply chains, supporting the transition toward agriculture that actively restores degraded land, sequesters carbon, and provides dignified livelihoods. The alliance engages in research partnerships, public education, and policy advocacy to advance the scientific and institutional foundations of regenerative agriculture. Its work has brought significant attention to the potential of farming systems that go beyond sustainability to actively heal ecosystems, making ROA a central voice in the global conversation about the future of food and farming.