Letter from Publisher

March is upon is! After the jarring reality of February’s snow and cold, it’s time for a literal breath of spring when a new season officially begins on March 20 at the equinox. As the winter started to ease its grip this past weekend, I was elated to carefully remove a snow pile and see Galanthus (aka snowdrops) bulbs emerging from beneath a layer of fall leaves in a brilliant green of fresh growth. Ahhhhhh!

Of course, as a lifelong Chicagoan, I know the old adage, “In like a lion, out like a lamb,” is often reversed with a late-season ice storm. Yet March brings an anticipation and excitement like no other month as we start to notice a gradual transition to warmth, daylight and a new season. By paying careful attention each day to the world outside, we can start seeing signs of the “regeneration” of life in our Midwest region.

The words regenerative and regeneration are quickly becoming a very important theme in the worlds of farming, nutrition and medicine. The words have a variety of related meanings, but all pretty much boil down to the ability to be renewed, regrown or restored, particularly after being somehow damaged, degraded or lost. Regeneration can also relate to making a person, system or place more active, successful, positive and happier.

In this March issue of Natural Awakenings Chicago, we’re focused on food and nutrition, and the role of a practice called regenerative agriculture in restoring our soil, the ultimate health of our food supply, our own wellness and the planet itself. The organization Regeneration International is one of the driving forces behind the “Regen Ag” movement, and Ronnie Cummins, Regeneration International steering committee member, shares this on the organization’s  homepage: “If you’ve never heard about the amazing potential of regenerative agriculture and land use practices to naturally sequester a critical mass of CO2 in the soil and forests, you’re not alone. One of the best-kept secrets in the world today is that the solution to global warming and the climate crisis (as well as poverty and deteriorating public health) lies right under our feet, and at the end of our knives and forks.”

We invite you to learn more about Regen Ag in our main feature, “Down to Earth: The Promise of Regenerative Farming,” by Sandra Yeyati. Local writer Bob Benenson further explores how we as consumers may soon be able to better decipher organic food labels in “Regenerative Label Enters the Organic Food Arena.” Plus, we take a look at the promise of regenerative healthcare in our exclusive online feature interview with Jeff Tkach, of the Rodale Institute (find that article at NAChicago.com).

If you can’t wait for late spring outdoor gardening, why not start some microgreens on your kitchen counter or a sunny windowsill? They are super-easy to grow, add a nutritious boost to salads, wraps or just on their own, and are guaranteed to give you a colorful pop of fresh green in your home! Be sure to check out our Conscious Eating department for more info and recipes for growing and enjoying greens and herbs indoors.

Again this month, I ask you to please take a walk outdoors every day to watch the wonders of the season unfold. Look for early spring bulbs, watch the tree blossoms begin their transitions, listen for the sounds of ice breaking on a pond at the forest preserve, hear  a cardinal’s spring territorial sound, check the skies for a hawk in midair and savor the spring’s early signs.

Happy Spring!