May 23, 2026
Spotlight Stories
Spotlight 1 – Common Dreams looks into how high fertilizer prices might change the face of farming. Ready the story, here.
Spotlight 2 – An article published in Nature Food shows that agri-environmental policies have reduced cropland degradation globally. Check it out, here.
Spotlight 3 – Civil Eats reviews how AI might be a boon to regenerative agriculture. Take a read, here.
Industry Updates
The European Investment Bank and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions have committed $234 million to support cleaner technology, climate resilience, and long-term financing for EU agriculture, as part of the EIB’s €3 billion pan-European agricultural program. The agreement will expand access to funding for SMEs and mid-cap companies in agriculture and the bioeconomy, with initial allocations expected in Germany, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. [link]
China and the United States agreed to expand agricultural trade through tariff reductions and address non-tariff barriers following their recent summit, with market watchers expecting a 10% cut in soybean tariffs. China also agreed to address U.S. concerns over beef facility registrations and poultry export access; the tariff cut could allow private Chinese crushers to resume soybean purchases sidelined during last year’s U.S. harvest. [link]
San Diego non-profit Heal the Earth is offering residents the chance to adopt a geo-tagged avocado tree and receive its fruit delivered to their home, aiming to support local growers facing rising water costs, labor expenses, and import competition. Each tree adoption costs roughly $4–$6 per avocado depending on the plan; the initiative provides farms with community-sourced funding as San Diego County avocado acreage has declined sharply over the past two decades. [link]
Farmers and researchers in Australia are testing low-value sheep wool as a natural soil cover, with field trials reporting reduced surface evaporation by up to 35%, increased soil microorganisms by 30–50%, and improved crop yields by up to 18%. Wool’s fibrous structure acts as a slow-release sponge to retain water near roots; researchers note results depend on soil type, rainfall, and application method and that further testing is needed. [link]
Trees Forever has received a $367,788 Landscape Scale Restoration grant from the U.S. Forest Service — one of only six awarded nationally — to expand agroforestry outreach and adoption with landowners and land managers across Iowa. The three-year grant will promote windbreaks, riparian forest buffers, alley cropping, and other agroforestry practices that keep roots in the ground year-round to protect soil, water, and wildlife. [link]
Researchers at Prairie View A&M University are converting agricultural waste into biochar through a new $1 million automated processing unit, aiming to improve soil structure and nutrient retention as a more sustainable complement to traditional fertilizers. The project converts crop residue into a carbon-rich charcoal-like material; researchers say it also diverts agricultural waste that would otherwise be discarded or burned. [link]
Forty major food and agriculture groups — including Carlsberg, Diageo, Nestle, and Mondelez — have signed a joint declaration to advance regenerative agriculture through the SAI Platform’s Regenerating Together Framework. SAI Platform will formally launch the next phase of the framework in June 2026 in Saskatoon, Canada, with priorities including broader adoption and integration of digital tools such as remote sensing and measurement, monitoring, and verification technologies. [link]
ADM and Hill’s Pet Nutrition have partnered to accelerate regenerative agriculture adoption across farms in Hungary and the United States, supporting crops in Hill’s value chain while providing farmers financial assistance to implement cover crops and fertilizer efficiency programs. The initiative rewards farmers for measurable positive impacts on soil health, watershed health, and biodiversity. [link]
Farmers for Soil Health has updated its cover crop program with stronger incentives, raising the average per-acre payment from $25 to $35, cutting contract terms from three years to one, and expanding availability across 20 states. Supported by the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff, and National Corn Growers Association, the program can be stacked with other non-USDA-funded programs for additional benefits. [link]
Almond hull powder has received a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) designation, potentially opening human food applications — including baked goods, cereals, beverages, and nutrition bars — as higher-value markets for California almond growers. The Almond Board of California says the designation could create new demand streams and higher-value opportunities for growers while supporting sustainability goals around full use of the almond crop. [link]
Texas farmers, ranchers, and landowners can now apply for the Texas Conservation & Sustainability Initiative (TCSI), which offers financial incentives of up to $100,000 to implement soil health practices on working lands. Funded through a USDA NRCS grant and led by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the program covers row crops, pasture and livestock systems, forestry, and confined animal operations. [link]
In Case You Missed It…
Earlier this month, Amsterdam became the world’s first capital city to ban advertisements promoting meat or fossil fuels, in light of the city’s targets to increase plant-based consumption and lower emissions. See more, here.