John Reganold

John Reganold is a Regents Professor of Soil Science and Agroecology at Washington State University (WSU), affiliated with the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences within the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). He specializes in sustainable agriculture, soil health, and organic farming systems. Reganold holds a B.A. in German (1971), M.S. in Soil Science (1974), and Ph.D. in Soil Science (1980) from the University of California at Berkeley and Davis. He teaches courses including Organic Gardening/Farming, Advanced Soil Analysis, and oversees the 30-acre Eggert Family Organic Farm research initiative.

His research focuses on measuring the sustainability of organic vs. conventional farming systems, with a focus on soil health, crop yields, environmental quality, and economic performance. Notable studies include the long-term impacts of farming systems on soil organic matter and the financial competitiveness of organic agriculture. Reganold has authored influential papers in Nature, PNAS, and Scientific American, emphasizing agroecology and perennial grain development.

Reganold directs the Organic and Sustainable Agriculture undergraduate program (~25 students) and the Online Certificate in Organic Agriculture. His work integrates ecological principles with practical farming practices, advocating for policies that support sustainable agricultural transitions. Current projects explore climate change impacts on soil health and the role of perennial grains in future food systems.

His teaching and research laboratories emphasize participatory learning and field-based experimentation. Recent collaborations include studies on biodegradable plastics in agriculture and the role of dung beetles in disrupting pest vectors. Reganold’s work bridges academia and practice, aiming to advance global food security while preserving environmental integrity.