<aside> 👇 We have developed this FAQ section as a quick reference for commonly asked questions about the program. You may find information here represented in other pages. We will evolve and expand this section over time.

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What is your Theory of Change? Why do you approach regenerative certification the way you do?

The theory of change behind Ethos™ is the belief that an outcomes-based approach to monitoring meets the reporting needs of brands and the purchasing interests of retailers and consumers. This approach generates a transparent marketplace for regeneratively produced products while creating the conditions for farmers to empower themselves, and to learn from and communicate about the effects of their land stewardship.

Are aspects beyond soil health such as biodiversity, water, animal well-being considered in the program?

Ethos™ rigorously evaluates soil health, biodiversity, climate, water management, farm economics, and the well-being of farmers and livestock. These aspects are integral to the program’s holistic approach to regenerative agriculture. The aim is to ensure comprehensive sustainability across all facets of farm management.

Does the program consider US and global contexts?

Ethos™ takes a placed-sourced approach, which allows each application of the platform to be based on geography, climactic, crop, and community characteristics. This approach enables Ethos™ to address the needs of farming and market contexts across the globe, and smallholder operations in particular. This flexibility ensures that the program's standards are relevant and effective across diverse agricultural landscapes. Ethos™ adapts its practices to fit the specific environmental and social conditions of each area and associated project.

What types of crop or cropping systems does the program focus on?

Ethos™ supports a diverse range of agricultural systems, including row crops, orchard crops, specialty crops, and agroforestry systems. This inclusivity allows the program to address the unique challenges and opportunities of different types of agriculture.

Are there minimum/maximum acreage enrollment requirements?

While designed to first and foremost to address the needs of smallholder farmers–who are often excluded from certification programs–there are no specific minimum or maximum acreage requirements for participation in Ethos™. This policy allows the program to be accessible to farms of all sizes, from smallholdings to large commercial operations. The goal is to encourage widespread adoption of regenerative practices regardless of farm size.

Does this program offer an avenue for brands that don't have traceability to farm-level or who are interested in contributing to regenerative transition more broadly?

Ethos™ collects field-level data. As a result, having direct relationships with farmers is crucial. That being said, brands without sourcing traceability down to the farm level can still take a mass-balance or insetting approach to their regenerative programming with support from Ethos™ and Terra Genesis™. As long as relationships with producers can be invested in through insetting Ethos™ has the ability to provide rich data insights at the farm level.