By Jamie Martin
Leading food and retail companies, including PepsiCo and Unilever, have launched STEP up for Agriculture, a first-of-its-kind initiative to expand regenerative farming by strengthening farmer-facing organizations. This collaboration provides local groups with essential training, tools, and funding to guide farmers toward sustainable practices.
The initiative supports PepsiCo’s commitment to convert 10 million acres to regenerative methods by 2030 and aligns with Unilever’s goal to implement these practices on one million hectares worldwide. Key farmer-facing partners include South East Research Farm in Canada, Practical Farmers of Iowa, and Indiana-based Farm Advisor.
STEP up for Ag offers funding for farmer support organizations to improve strategic planning, enhance training, and develop systems to measure progress. By meeting farmers where they are and building trust through local relationships, the program encourages widespread adoption of soil-friendly, climate-smart techniques.
The partnership also reaches beyond North America. A pilot in Spain with farmer cooperative Garlan, supported by Earthworm Foundation, will design a locally tailored regenerative agriculture plan. Previous workshops in Türkiye highlighted the need for shared resources and mentorship to scale success.
"When farmers thrive, we all thrive," said Jim Andrews of PepsiCo. By combining corporate investment, nonprofit expertise, and farmer-led mentorship, STEP up for Agriculture aims to create resilient supply chains and long-term environmental benefits across global farming communities.
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Categories: National