Cortnie Jones

McCain, the world’s largest producer of frozen potato products, pledges to cultivate 100 percent of its potatoes from the use of regenerative practices by 2030.  McCain has 3,500 producers and 49 production facilities throughout the world. Max Koeune, McCain’s CEO stated the pandemic had highlighted the precarious nature of our global food system.  As the global population increases, the demand for food does as well. Potatoes are cultivated in 130 countries and are one of the most critical crops for global food security. Their shift to regenerative agriculture includes planting cover crops and adding low or no-till agriculture to its potato production. Read more in this article from Triple Pundit.

If we don’t transform the way we grow food, the whole system is at risk of suffering irreparable damage.”

Max Koeune, McCain’s CEO

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Some farmers are looking toward older practices to improve the quality of meat they produce, boost soil health and help mitigate climate change. Peter Greig and his wife Henri have been working on this land for the last three decades. Peter believes modern, intensive farming destroys the delicate balance of well-fertilized soil, good quality grass, and nutrient-rich meat.  Although regenerative farming has its challenges, Peter enjoyed the success of regenerative agriculture and expanded his business to work with around 40 family farms in the area. He focuses on encouraging “young blood” on these family farms so they may “put into action the wisdom handed down from their grandparents.” Read more in this article from the BBC.

Our research shows that a shift to regenerative agriculture will provide a net reduction of 66% to 77% of greenhouse gas emissions. The nature crisis and the crisis in health, and wellbeing and a green recovery following the pandemic, means that the whole of the farming system really does need to take up this challenge.”

Sue Pritchard, chief executive of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission

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The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is scaling up its Soil for Water project to support livestock producers and farmers across seven southern states and Montana. The project builds off their successful peer-to-peer network of Texas ranchers who implemented innovative grazing techniques to improve soil and increase profitability. The effort combines appropriate technology, peer-to-peer learning, and on-farm monitoring to encourage regenerative agricultural practices. Soil for Water aims to reach hundreds of family-owned farms and ranches. They intend to create a network of producers who prosper by applying land management practices that improve soil health, catch more water in the soil, reduce erosion, sustain diverse plant and animal life and filter out pollutants. Read more in this article from the National Center for Appropriate Technology.

Livestock have the ability to improve soil health, and healthy soil holds more water. We know that as more producers adopt regenerative methods, significant economic, environmental and social benefits can be realized.”

NCAT Regenerative Grazing Specialist and Montana project lead Linda Poole, who also raises sheep in Phillips County.

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A new three-phase initiative, implemented by EARTH University and financed by Patagonia, launched in June and plans to advance regenerative agricultural practices on cacao farms in Costa Rica. The initiative — based on one of EARTH’s model farms —plans to educate, train and strengthen regenerative agricultural practices of 50 cacao-producing families in the province of Limón. The training program addresses soil health and land management, animal welfare, and farmer and worker fairness while promoting regenerative practices for crop rotation and soil regeneration. Read more in this article from the Globe Newswire.

With this initiative, we will work collaboratively with the farmers so they can learn, improve their production and leverage agricultural inputs using regenerative principles.”

Mauricio Segura, Project Director

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McCain, the world’s largest producer of frozen potato products, pledges to cultivate 100 percent of its potatoes from the use of regenerative practices by 2030.  McCain has 3,500 producers and 49 production facilities throughout the world. Max Koeune, McCain’s CEO stated the pandemic had highlighted the precarious nature of our global food system.  As the global population increases, the demand for food does as well. Potatoes are cultivated in 130 countries and are one of the most critical crops for global food security. Their shift to regenerative agriculture includes planting cover crops and adding low or no-till agriculture to its potato production. Read more in this article from Triple Pundit.

If we don’t transform the way we grow food, the whole system is at risk of suffering irreparable damage.”

Max Koeune, McCain’s CEO

CONTINUE READING →

Historically, chickens on a farm – freely pecking and scratching around vegetable gardens and crops, contributing to soil fertility – is not a new concept. However, there is little scientific information for justifying this potential. A UC Cooperative Extension launched a research project to quantify the potential for chickens as part of commercial organic vegetable production. This California trial is part of a new national effort to diversify organic vegetable farms with chickens. Read more in this article from the University of California – Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Some people believe chickens that graze and eat grass taste better and are more nutritious. It will be part of the study to look at the chicken’s meat quality.”– And there’s the question of how to reward farmers like organic growers who are already using these methods. Mark Isbell, an Arkansas rice farmer who has reduced emissions, says he is worried about creating ‘perverse incentives.“

Faye Duan, a leader of the California project

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Outside of Parma, Italy lies the Davines Village, the global headquarters of Divines and Comfort Zone. This fall, the sustainable beauty destination will break ground to expand and include yet another pioneering initiative: a regenerative organic farm, research center, and education hub. The village will be the new site of the Davines Group – Rodale Institute European Regenerative Organic Center, the first international Regional Resource Center by Rodale Institute. Read more in this article from the Rodale Institute.

We hope our partnership will not only positively impact our product development and supply chain, but also serve as a catalyst for change that will animate sustainability studies and regenerative organic farming practices in Italy, Europe and beyond.”

RodALE iNSTITUTE

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Modern agriculture has led to worldwide issues like monoculture farming, and the reduction of soil fertility. As these become more apparent, many farmers are switching to farming methods like regenerative agriculture as a model for the future. Although regenerative agriculture is a new term, the principles have existed since before modern agriculture. Indigenous communities across the globe used similar practices. Although adaption to regenerative agriculture is new to many, it could be what sustains future generations. Read more in this article from Mic.

Any definition of regenerative agriculture must evolve over time, like the whole living systems that we aim to regenerate.”

TERRA GENESIS INTERNATIONAL

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The Food Lab conducted a study, working with six major food companies, and concluded the most cost-effective way to reach GHG goals is to follow six assumptions and strategic approaches.

The assumptions about what farmers need to implement and sustain regenerative practices drive program costs for technical assistance, measurement, motivation from engaging with buyers, and financial incentives. The experiences of the participating companies hinted that the impact at scale would increase, and program cost per unity may decrease only when strategic approaches are also adopted. Read more in this article from Sustainable Food Lab.

Our initial hypothesis is that at a certain scale there is a tipping point in which company investment, along with outreach from a strong implementing partner, can achieve a multiplier effect.”

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PepsiCo recently launched a new initiative intending to spread regenerative farming practice over 7 million acres, approximately equal to its entire agricultural footprint – called Positive Agriculture. PepsiCo estimates this initiative will eliminate a minimum of 3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. An additional goal includes improving the livelihoods of more than 250,000 people in its agricultural supply chain and communities, including empowering women and minority farmers. Read more in this article from Sustainable Brands.

Any plan to tackle the urgent challenges facing the global food system must address agriculture — the source of nourishment for billions of people and a key lever to address climate change and inequality.”

RAmon Laguarta, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO

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