Specialty crop growers are quietly doing regenerative agriculture without calling it that. The Packer's 2026 Sustainability Insights survey found only 9% of growers identify as regenerative, yet many are building soil biology, cutting inputs, and improving water retention because it saves money. With margins tight, these practices are driven by economics, not labels. Growers like CMI Orchards are turning soil health into revenue by generating carbon credits sold to supply chain partners as insets. Okanagan Specialty Fruits is investing in compost, spreaders, and microalgae to boost organic matter. Both say upfront costs are real, but better water retention and lower input bills can offset them. The article argues that without a clear definition of regenerative ag, growers hesitate to claim the term. But the practices are spreading anyway. That makes this a useful read for anyone tracking how carbon markets and sustainability incentives show up on farms.
