Ep 6 - Jerel Kratt: Headwinds for Regenerative Ag in California

The Business of Soil Health

In this episode I talk with independent agronomist Jerel Kratt who works in the southern Central Valley of California. He unpacks why many have become skeptical of regenerative agriculture in California:

🌪️ Visible failures in early implementations of regen practices

📉 Market realities, from the almond market collapse to the lack of a premium for regenerative crops

⚖️ Political and regulatory pressures, especially California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)

These challenges have made “regenerative” a loaded term among producers and processors, and have ramped up economic pressures for producers that disincentivizes transition.

But Jerel also shares his optimism. He discusses his hybrid approach—offering a path forward that is able to drastically reduce chemical inputs and create measurable economic benefits. It’s rooted in a clear-eyed view of soil health and plant nutrition, using all the agronomic tools he has available.

Jerel offers a grounded, practical, and thought-provoking conversation from the perspective of an independent agronomist advising producers in the dry southern San Joaquin Valley.

Chapters

00:14 Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture Consulting

02:40 Challenges in Consulting and Adoption of Practices

05:01 Context-Specific Approaches to Regenerative Practices

06:35 The Role of Biologicals and Biostimulants

11:41 Independent Agronomy: A Growing Trend

12:16 Economic Outcomes of Regenerative Practices

12:35 Finding Independent Agronomists

14:49 Economics and Market Dynamics in California

18:25 Water, SOM, SOC

21:09 SGMA and Regulatory Tensions

27:23 The Perception of Regenerative Agriculture in California

31:17 Selling Regenerative Solutions in a Tough Market

34:20 Personal Journey Towards Regenerative Agriculture

40:34 A Call for Collaboration in Agriculture