Agri Sustainability

DES MOINES, IOWA — Global food companies PepsiCo and Cargill have announced the expansion of their joint regenerative agriculture corn projects across key growing regions in Iowa. The initiative aims to advance soil health, water efficiency, and carbon reduction while improving farm profitability through science-backed regenerative practices.

Program Overview
Building on pilot efforts launched in 2021, the companies will now reach hundreds of additional growers supplying corn for snack, beverage, and ingredient operations. Participating farms will receive support to adopt reduced tillage, nutrient management, cover cropping, and advanced water stewardship practices.

Farmer Support and Incentives
PepsiCo and Cargill are partnering with local agronomy groups, conservation districts, and technology providers to deliver both financial and technical assistance. Farmers will have access to:

• Per-acre incentive payments during the transition period.
• On-site soil sampling and data tracking tools.
• Workshops on adaptive management and regenerative agronomy.

The project uses standardized measurement and verification frameworks to track greenhouse gas emissions and soil organic matter improvement.

Corporate Perspective
PepsiCo’s regenerative agriculture strategy targets 7 million acres globally by 2030, aligning with its PepsiCo Positive (pep+) sustainability framework. Cargill, which sources corn for feed and food ingredients, sees regenerative programs as a way to strengthen supply resilience and deliver lower-carbon value chains.

Why Iowa?
Iowa’s corn belt remains a critical testbed for scaling regenerative systems. The state’s variable soils, heavy production intensity, and strong farmer networks make it an ideal setting for testing cost-effective, field-proven regenerative models. The companies report early gains in reduced runoff, improved infiltration, and steady yields across pilot acres.

Long-Term Impact
If scaled successfully, the program could cut on-farm emissions and improve soil carbon sequestration—key steps toward food system decarbonization. PepsiCo and Cargill plan to share anonymized results with research partners to guide broader adoption across the Midwest.

What’s Next
The next phase includes:

• Expanded participation for corn growers in neighboring states by 2026.
• Integration of digital traceability tools linking field practices to product sourcing data.
• Evaluation of co-benefits such as biodiversity and water quality improvement.

Context:
Regenerative agriculture in Iowa continues to attract attention as brands and agribusinesses align around shared outcomes—healthier soils, lower emissions, and resilient farm communities. Initiatives like PepsiCo–Cargill partnerships signal how corporate sustainability goals are now intersecting with farm-level realities.

Disclaimer:
This article summarizes publicly available corporate sustainability information for journalistic and educational purposes. For verified program details, visit PepsiCo Sustainability and Cargill Sustainability.