Friends, I usually write a monthly reflection on Creation in the Bible.  But this month I bring you greetings and questions from the St. Paul Area Synod’s Care of Creation Workgroup. Several years ago our mostly urban group began thinking about the many ways that we were ourselves contributing to an increase of the carbon load in our environment through our own travel habits and the like.  We became very interested in how we might support those in Minnesota and beyond who are working to reduce our carbon imprint through their work with the soil.  We were soon overwhelmed by the many complications and implications of this important work.  And so began a conversation with many folks throughout the state which we hope will lead to a helpful church-centered state-wide conference on this topic.  To further our work we are having an actual face-to-face outdoor barbecue on Tuesday, June 15 to sort out what questions we would wish to address in such a conference.  So below is a preliminary list of questions.  And we ask you, dear readers, to help us by letting us know if you think there are other pressing questions we should address.  

1.     What, indeed, is regenerative agriculture? What practices are included?

2.     What is the best name for these practices?  Is this the same as organic farming or sustainable agriculture? What are the strengths and weaknesses of various names?

3.     How does regenerative agriculture help to sustain our fragile eco-system? Why is this so necessary now? What is the real status of our soil?

4.     Why is regenerative farming, despite its added resilience,  not covered by federal crop insurance?  What is behind that practice? Are there government programs that encourage it? 

5.     What can we learn from indigenous populations and practices?

6.     What is the relationship between rural and urban communities when it comes to these practices?

7.     How do we decode all of the advertising to better understand what we are buying, such as the difference between “humanely raised” and “grass fed”? How do we know what is better for us, for the earth, and worth the extra cost?

8.     What are some of the ways we can help?

9.     What would be most helpful in a zoom conference/conversation on regenerative practices?

10.  What is God calling us to in this all important work?

We promise to pass on updates to let everyone know when our planned conference will happen.  Meanwhile, heeding the call of a Spirit-filled Pentecost that knows no boundaries, let’s keep the conversation going!