ADM exceeds 2m regenerative ag acre goal for 2023

The food solutions firm has lifted its 2025 regenerative agriculture goal to 5m acres.

Photo: Pixabay/Pexels

ADM has announced its global regenerative agriculture program expanded to more than 2.8 million acres in 2023, exceeding its 2 million acre goal. In addition, the company announced that it is targeting 3.5 million regenerative acres in 2024 and is increasing its 2025 goal from 4 million to 5 million acres globally.

“ADM is scaling up efforts to enhance the sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint of the value chains in which we operate, and our leadership in regenerative agriculture is a key driver of that bold agenda,” says Greg Morris, president of ADM’s Ag Services and Oilseeds business. “We know that farmers are stewards of the land, and we offer an array of programs that meet their varied needs and empower each of them in the ways that work best for their individual situations. At the same time, we know that retail and CPG leaders understand the urgency of expanding regenerative agriculture to meet consumer demand, and we’re bringing those downstream customers together with farmers to ensure we’re meeting their needs. This collaborative approach, spanning the value chain, has demonstrated its value through our more than 2.8 million regenerative agriculture acres in 2023, and we’re excited to continue to expand our program and lead in this important global effort.”

ADM partnered with more than 28,000 growers of corn, soybeans, wheat, peanuts, cotton, sorghum, canola, and barley in 2023 as it expanded its regenerative agriculture efforts globally, including the launch of new programs in Europe and Latin America. Participating farms again saw improvements in soil health and carbon footprint.

Last November, ADM issued its first-ever regenerative agriculture report, detailing priorities, goals, programs, and achievements to date. The company expects to issue an updated detailed report later this year.

ADM defines regenerative agriculture as an outcome-based farming approach that protects and improves soil health, biodiversity, climate, and water resources while supporting farming business development. Regenerative agriculture is adaptive to local physical conditions and culture, and is based on five principles of land management:

Minimizing soil disturbance
Maintaining living roots in the soil
Continuously covering bare soil
Maximizing diversity with an emphasis on crops, soil microbes, and pollinators; and
Responsibly managing inputs, including nutrients and pesticides.

ADM offers unparalleled capabilities to create value for the entire value chain by partnering to implement and scale regenerative agriculture, working with downstream customers like PepsiCo, Nestlé, and Carlsberg; technology partners like Farmers Business Network; and conservation organizations like Practical Farmers of Iowa, Ducks Unlimited and American Farmland Trust. In addition, ADM participates in industry initiatives and coalitions such as Field to Market, Cool Farm Alliance, and Sustainable Agriculture Initiative; works with diverse partners like the National Black Growers Council; and leverages funding opportunities to bring more value to farmers, such as through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as well as participation in USDA’s Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities. ADM’s regenerative agriculture programs feature direct financial support for farmers; easy processes and cutting-edge technologies to ensure low barriers to entry; and a broad range of support and guidance from both internal and third-party experts.

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Jenni Spinner is the chief editor of Snack Food and Wholesale with more than 25 years of experience in business-to-business communications. She has written extensively about food production, safety and packaging; pharmaceutical drug development; concrete and masonry construction; and more. She holds a Bachelor’s in Communications from the University of Illinois. Jenni can be reached at spinnerj@bnpmedia.com.

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