2025 Natural Grocers Sustainability Report

Regenerative Agriculture and its Impacts

NATURAL GROCERS ® PARTNERSHIP WITH RODALE INSTITUTE™ Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through rigorous research, farmer training, and education. Its groundbreaking science and direct farmer-support programs serve as a catalyst for change in farming and food production worldwide. Over their 78-year history, they have proven that organic farming is not only viable, but essential to humanity’s survival. Rodale Institute Farmer Training and Veteran Farmer Training We believe that regenerative agriculture is an important practice with the potential to mitigate climate change. In agricultural systems, the amount and length of time carbon is stored is determined predominantly by how the soil resource is managed. 1 The results are observable and measurable. The Rodale Institute’s 2020 white paper Regenerative Agriculture and the Soil Carbon Solution concluded that global adoption of regenerative agricultural practices provides a mechanism to sequester more than the current annual atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions generated by human activity. 2 Additionally, the white paper identified examples where, depending on the soil conditions and regenerative practice used, the soil carbon sequestration rate was rapid in the early years after implementation, which enables it to be a tool for near-term improvements. 1 Ecological Society of America https://www.esa.org/esa/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/carbonsequestrationinsoils.pdf 2 Moyer. J, Smith. A(PhD), Rui. R(PhD), and Hayden. J(PhD). (2020). Regenerative Agriculture and the Soil Carbon Solution. Rodale Institute. Regenerative farming philosophy incorporates best practices of pre-industrial farming with years of scientific and applied research. Compared to industrial agricultural practices, regenerative farming systems mimic nature and enhance ecosystem functions. The results include increased crop yields, improved water retention, healthier and more stable soil, the return of pollinators, birds and vital biodiversity and a strengthened resilience to climate instability. By returning the land to its natural state, the soil and above-ground biomass are able to operate as designed and may help mitigate climate change impacts by sequestering carbon within the soil itself. Regenerative agriculture also provides greater economic value and quality of life advantages for farming and ranching communities by making the land productive and sustainable over the long term. For additional information, please see the following articles: Earth Watch: Defining Regenerative Agriculture Earth Watch: Regenerative Food Systems are Rooted in Healthy Soil Earth Watch: New Report Exposes the Harsh Reality of Conventional Agriculture’s Most “Regenerative” Claim CARBON CAPTURE POTENTIAL

These highly immersive, full-time programs allow anyone to begin a career in organic crop and vegetable production. Students learn financial skills, soil science, digital marketing and botany, coupled with hands-in-the-soil applications, learning on a world-renowned experimental farm. Students work alongside Rodale Institute farmers to grow organic produce for farm shares and farmers’ markets, learning how to process, distribute and sell healthy, organic food as a successful business. NATURAL GROCERS DEDICATED TWO FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGNS IN FY 2025 TO RODALE INSTITUTE, RAISING MORE THAN $200,000 TO SUPPORT RODALE INSTITUTE’S FARMER TRAINING AND VETERAN FARMER TRAINING PROGRAMS. Learn More at RodaleInstitute.org

Rodale Institute was included in Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2025 list for leveraging its decades of knowledge in organic and regenerative farming to bring more farmers and consumers aboard.

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NATURAL GROCERS ® | SUSTAINABILITY REPORT