#57 - Purdue University and Bayer's New Partnership, USDA Backs CPG's Regen Ag Push
Big Meat and Dairy’s New Greenwashing Tactic Masks Climate Inaction, South Dakota’s Walkes Family and Soil Health Coalition Receive National Recognition for Advancing Regenerative Agriculture
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1. Purdue and Bayer Launch Global Coalition to Drive Data-Backed Regenerative Agriculture for Sustainable Food Systems
Purdue University and Bayer have formed the Coalition for Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture, a partnership aimed at enhancing soil health, biodiversity, and resilience on a global scale. Through advanced data-driven practices, the coalition will support farmers with digital tools and research-backed recommendations tailored to crop type and climate, while also promoting education and policy support. “This initiative will help farmers produce more and unlock downstream value while actively restoring nature,” said Susana Diaz, Bayer’s innovation manager, underscoring the coalition’s mission to meet future food demands sustainably.
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2. USDA Backs Campbell's and Kind Snacks Push for Regenerative Agriculture
Campbell Soup Company and Kind Snacks are receiving significant USDA funding to drive regenerative agriculture for key ingredients, with Campbell’s securing $3.4 million to support sustainable tomato farming in California. Kind, in partnership with Wolfe’s Neck Center, aims to accelerate sustainable almond farming, setting a milestone to source 100% regenerative almonds by 2030. “It’s through partnerships like these that we can all accelerate change,” noted Wolfe’s Neck Center’s Dave Herring, underscoring the critical need for resilient, climate-smart agriculture.
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3. Big Meat and Dairy’s New Greenwashing Tactic Masks Climate Inaction
As climate change worsens, Big Meat and Dairy companies are using regenerative agriculture to greenwash their operations, with Nestlé and others positioning it as a climate-friendly solution while largely ignoring methane emissions, the industry's most significant pollutant. A recent study highlights that 63% of agrifood companies now tout regenerative practices, yet often fail to set clear, science-backed targets. Critics argue that regenerative agriculture alone is insufficient to mitigate industrial farming’s environmental impact, calling it a "smokescreen" that distracts from the urgent need to reduce livestock emissions and transform the food system.
Back on Agreena(‘s) Journey
Agreena, a Danish climate solutions leader, has reached a significant milestone, engaging over 2,300 European farmers to implement regenerative practices on 4.5 million hectares—a 2.5 million hectare increase since last year. Using advanced digital measurement and verification (dMRV) technology, Agreena enables farmers to generate verified carbon credits, attracting climate finance from partnerships with major food brands and organizations like AXA Climate and the IFC. “Connecting people, nature, and technology is powering the regenerative movement,” said CEO Simon Haldrup, emphasizing Agreena's role in global agricultural transformation.
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5. South Dakota’s Walkes Family and Soil Health Coalition Receive National Recognition for Advancing Regenerative Agriculture
The Walkes family of Avon, South Dakota, has been honored by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service for transforming overgrazed farmland into a model of regenerative agriculture, showcasing practices that improve soil health and water retention. Their mentorship to high school students promotes a new generation's interest in sustainable farming. Additionally, the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition was recognized for its contributions, including a mobile app connecting landowners with grazing partners and educational programs like the Soil Health Conference, which drew 400 participants this year.
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Venture of the Week
Groundbreaking Organizations.
Lundberg Family Farms
Since 1937, the Lundberg Family Farm has been prioritizing soil health on their farms, implementing rice straw into their crops to protect the soil and improve air quality. Today, the brand is Regenerative Organic Certified, and spends the time and money necessary to conserve the California wetlands where the rice is grown.
Learn more: https://www.lundberg.com/
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A Final Spooky Comic For The Year…
This Week In Regenerative Agriculture is published by Why Regenerative. It is compiled by Jackson Baris with ChatGPT and edited by Isha Vemuri. Sign up for our newsletter here.