January 18, 2025

Spotlight Stories

Spotlight 1 – Food Tank reports on an approach that could enable willing consumers to help fund a climate-smart food transition. Read about it, here.

Spotlight 2 – The New Hope Network dives into the marketing challenges (and concerns) of selling regenerative products today. Check out the story, here.

Spotlight 3 – Successful Farming asks what industry sustainability commitments mean for farmers. Check it out, here.

Industry Updates

A new study in the journal, Nature, shows that the presence of trees encourages the proliferation of beneficial soil microorganisms, helping to counter the detrimental effects commonly associated with conventional farming practices. Conducted in Brandenburg, Germany, the study focused on the soil microbiome at varying depths within agroforestry systems, aiming to elucidate the biodiversity hosted by tree roots compared to open-cropland soil devoid of tree cover. The study observed decreases in potential plant pathogens and shifts toward beneficial microbial communities within the soil of the agrosilvopastoral system. Increased soil depth was also associated with reduced microbial richness, according to the researchers. [link]

Regenagri wants to help farmers monetize their sustainability efforts by launching what it calls the world’s first global carbon insetting program, which gives farmers and growers a way to monetize sustainable practices through Regenagri certification. Carbon insetting allows companies to reduce their carbon footprint and emissions by investing in initiatives such as regenerative agriculture, reforestation and renewable energy within their supply chain. Regenagri CEO Franco Constantini said that an initial group of producers across the U.S., Brazil, India, Turkey, Ivory Coast and Pakistan have joined the program, representing 871,827 acres of farmland. The carbon insetting initiative builds on Regenagri’s global certification program, which allows farms to verify and be recognized for the regenerative agricultural practices they use. [link]

Research work at Laval University's Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, together with 14 vegetable farms, is offering a glimmer of hope on stemming the rapid degradation of soils taking place in recent years. Thus far, the research has shown that applying straw or wood chips to organic soils can help compensate for carbon and soil losses caused by microbial decomposition. What’s more, when mixed with soil in appropriate doses, straw and wood chips have the potential to restore the soil aeration and drainage that are essential for good vegetable growth. [link]

Four spirits companies and the Kentucky Distillers’ Association are collaborating to enhance regenerative farming with a $2.8 million initiative for corn farmers. The five-year, multi-million-dollar initiative will provide corn farmers with the tools to pursue regenerative farming, which focuses on rebuilding the health of soil, water and biodiversity. It can also improve the productivity and profitability of farmers. Leading the charge with the Kentucky Distillers’ Association are Brown-Forman, Diageo North America, Heaven Hill Brands, and Suntory Global Spirits. They will join forces with Precision Conservation Management and the Kentucky Corn Growers Association on the initiative. Over the five-year period, the companies and farmers will work together to introduce regenerative corn-growing practices across more than 100,000 acres of land. [link]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is banning the use of Red No. 3, an artificial dye linked to cancer in animals, from food and ingested drugs. Food manufacturers will have until early 2027 to reformulate products that use Red 3. Consumer advocates pushed the agency to revoke authorization for the additive after two studies linked it to cancer in male laboratory rats. Red 3—made from petroleum and used to turn foods and drinks a bright, cherry-red color—was approved by the FDA in 1969. [link]

An international research team published findings in Nature Sustainability detailing how tree crops are not only essential to feed the world, but also hold immense potential for protecting biodiversity and the climate, as well as improving livelihoods for millions of people worldwide. The study’s findings urge policymakers to develop specific agendas to promote sustainable practices in tree crop agriculture. With their permanent root systems and extensive leaf litter, tree crops prevent soil erosion, enhance its fertility, and provide habitats for many species year-round. They contribute to greenhouse gas reduction through carbon sequestration, improve habitat connectivity for fragmented ecosystems, and buffer protected areas from the impacts of intensive agriculture. Tree crops tend to be less mechanized and require more manual labor, offering vital employment opportunities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where these crops are widespread. [link]

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced that its venture fund, Cultivate Next, has invested in two ventures addressing meat’s climate impact, including technology to reduce methane emissions from cow burps. Cultivate Next announced a minority investment in CH4 Global, which is scaling a cattle feed supplement made from red seaweed that lowers methane emissions up to 90%, according to its website. Chipotle also invested in Plantible, a company that produces plant-based protein from the aquatic plant Lemna, also known as duckweed. The protein can mimic the quality, taste and texture of meat and can replace synthetic emulsifiers and binders in the food industry. [link]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the publication of an interim rule on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks. The interim rule establishes guidelines for quantifying, reporting, and verifying the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the production of biofuel feedstock commodity crops grown in the United States. These guidelines will facilitate the recognition of climate-smart agriculture within clean transportation fuel programs, creating new market opportunities for biofuel feedstock producers while enhancing climate benefits. [link]

For the first time ever, the Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) label is launching a national campaign, "Heal the Earth, Nourish your Life", with consumers so that awareness and demand for Regenerative Organic Certified products can scale. The Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) launched the ROC standard in 2017 and has onboarded farmers and ranchers representing more than 18 million acres, to date. The focus for the Regenerative Organic Alliance in 2025 is to educate retailers, consumers, brands and producers on the healing power of regenerative organic agriculture. The organization will be employing multiple strategies for this with a new paid consumer marketing campaign that includes paid social, digital banner ads, and thought leadership articles highlighting farmers and producers who are committed to restoring soil health, protecting animal welfare, and promoting social fairness, from food to fashion. [link]

The Nature Conservancy is inviting eligible producers with crop and grazing operations to apply to the Expanding Agroforestry Incentive Payment Program beginning January 31 through March 14, 2025. If selected for participation, producers will receive direct incentive payments to install new agroforestry plantings, thus increasing their income potential while enhancing the environmental outcomes of their operations. They will also receive technical assistance. A Town Hall webinar, which will provide an overview of the incentive payment program, will be held on January 22, 2025. Those interested in applying or learning more about the application process and/or the webinar, visit nature.org/Expanding/Agroforestry. [link]

In Case You Missed It…

In late November, a wide coalition of stakeholders involved in advancing agroforestry in Peru announced the development of an innovative agroforestry-focused decision-making platform. See more, here.