Quote: Bill Frist M.D.
American farmers—the men, women and families who grow our food, contribute to our economy and steward our agricultural lands—have a crucial role to play in making America healthy.
Agriculture affects more than what’s on our plates—it impacts the quality of the water we drink and the air we breathe. When farmers adopt regenerative practices like cover crops, nutrient management, and edge of field solutions, they help keep excess fertilizers out of waterways and reduce harmful emissions from soil disturbance. These changes can lower risks of chronic illnesses linked to nitrate contamination and fine particulate matter in the air.
Farmers Leading the Way
Many farmers take these risks seriously. They choose conservation practices not only for environmental or financial benefits, but also for the health and well-being of their families, employees and neighbors. From saturated buffers that protect drinking water to reduced tillage that improves air quality, these practices deliver multiple benefits for communities and ecosystems.
The Challenge
Despite progress, adoption of these practices has not reached the scale needed to protect public health. Financial and technical barriers—such as upfront costs, insufficient access to equipment, and limited technical assistance—make it difficult for many farmers to implement regenerative solutions. Voluntary programs are popular, but demand far exceeds available funding.
Our Role
Launched in early 2025 with generous private support, The Nature Conservancy’s Healthy Agriculture, Healthy America initiative explores how regenerative agriculture and well-managed agriculture systems can improve human health and well-being.
Our scientists are compiling the evidence base needed to strengthen policies that help farmers overcome barriers to adopting regenerative practices. By grounding policy decisions in reliable, science‑based insights, we aim to accelerate the adoption of practices that support human health, protect nature, and enhance food security.
What We’re Doing
- Advancing science to understand how farming practices influence water and air quality
- Informing policy at the state and national levels to scale regenerative solutions
- Elevating the message through thought leadership, including a Forbes op-ed that underscores farming as America’s first line of defense for health
