June 20, 2026
Spotlight Stories
Spotlight 1 – The Post Carbon Institute looks into how Denmark is rethinking industrial agriculture. Ready the story, here.
Spotlight 2 – Farm Progress lays out the common pitfalls to avoid when considering regenerative agriculture. Check it out, here.
Spotlight 3 – AgroLatam discusses how regenerative agriculture and biologicals are reshaping the future of soil health. Take a read, here.
Industry Updates
Kansas State University research shows that farm profitability tends to rise with soil health scores, according to a K-State agricultural economist. The findings suggest that sustainable soil health practices may go hand-in-hand with stronger financial performance on the farm. [link]
Ongoing supply chain disruptions—including the Iran conflict—could prompt greater investment in sustainable food production in coming years, according to research firm Ecovia Intelligence. The Iran conflict is the latest in a series of shocks pushing companies and investors to accelerate sourcing from more resilient, locally grown supply chains. [link]
Penn State Extension received a national award from the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals for its publication on conservation funding for farmers and conservation professionals. The agricultural guide was recognized for excellence in extension education and its practical value to farmers navigating conservation program opportunities. [link]
Agroforestry platform Courageous Land secured R$116 million (approx. US$23 million) in financing from Brazil’s National Development Bank (BNDES) for its flagship agroforestry project in Roraima, in the Brazilian Amazon. The BNDES approval marks a significant step for private agroforestry investment in the Amazon and signals growing institutional support for forest-positive agriculture. [link]
FAO is expanding efforts across Latin America and the Caribbean to promote bioinputs as a tool to improve agricultural resilience and reduce dependence on imported agrochemicals. The initiative comes as producers face rising input costs, market volatility, and growing climate pressures on agricultural production. [link]
The National Science Foundation awarded a $471,477 CAREER Award to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture to research sustainable aerogels made from agricultural and food-processing waste. The grant supports development of high-value materials from farm byproducts, potentially creating new revenue streams and reducing agricultural waste. [link]
The International Fresh Produce Association and regional partners including Okanagan Specialty Fruits, CMI Orchards, and Stemilt held a federally funded field day in the Pacific Northwest showcasing the future of climate-smart and regenerative farming. Practices on display ranged from autonomous tractors to algae soil amendments, demonstrating that sustainable growing can actively safeguard grower profitability. [link]
Boron, an overlooked micronutrient, is gaining attention for its potential to deliver 20 additional bushels per acre in soybeans. As soybean growers push for higher yields, agronomists are highlighting boron’s critical role in seed set, pollen viability, and overall crop performance. [link]
The Maryland Department of Agriculture opened sign-ups for its 2026 Cover Crop Grant Program, running June 22 through July 17, 2026 at local soil conservation districts. The program provides financial support to farmers adopting cover crops, which improve soil health, reduce erosion, and enhance water quality. [link]
COFCO International signed a memorandum of understanding with Brazil’s Patria Reforest Fund to explore sustainable agricultural supply chains and carbon removal credits in Brazil. The partnership marks a step toward integrating carbon markets with agricultural supply chains in one of the world’s largest soy and corn producing regions. [link]
Nestlé has partnered with UK miller Wildfarmed to use its regeneratively farmed wheat in KitKat bars. The collaboration signals growing corporate commitment to sourcing ingredients from farms that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and reduced chemical inputs. [link]
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu called for critical investments in soil research and knowledge sharing to promote sustainable soil management globally. Addressing a side event on soil health, he highlighted how governments and farmers across regions are working together to combat soil degradation and support food security. [link]
Kiss the Ground released a national study revealing a major acceleration in consumer awareness and understanding of regenerative agriculture in the U.S. The comprehensive survey, first reported in Forbes, shows Americans are increasingly connecting their food choices to soil health, climate, and farming practices. [link]
The Sasakawa Africa Association is training farmers, researchers, policymakers, and extension workers on agroforestry finance to position them for opportunities in the emerging carbon economy. The initiative aims to build capacity for African agricultural stakeholders to access carbon markets and blended finance mechanisms for agroforestry projects. [link]
In Case You Missed It…
Earlier this month, results from a Farm Journal Ag Economist’ Monthly Monitor report showed that 40% of respondents believed that many U.S. farms may need major restructuring in order to survive. See more, here.