June 27, 2026
Spotlight Stories
Spotlight 1 – The World Economic Forum says that coordinated action can help overcome a lack of capital flowing into food systems. Ready the story, here.
Spotlight 2 – Forests News asked why drylands are still overlooked when they are such an important contributor to feeding the world. Check it out, here.
Spotlight 3 – An article in PNAS explains how enhanced rock weathering has important promise as a sustainable farming practice. Take a read, here.
Industry Updates
A UK trial at Elveden Estate found regenerative farming can deliver higher net margins than conventional cropping. The findings come with a caveat: profitability depends on continued government support, underscoring the role of public policy in scaling the transition to sustainable land management. [link]
Ireland and France launched a sustainable agriculture project at Mutah University in Jordan. The initiative gives students access to training in advanced agricultural techniques and renewable energy, building local capacity for climate-resilient food production. [link]
New Forests launched a $750 million Global Landscape Opportunities strategy to meet growing institutional demand for natural capital investments. The Sydney-based nature-based solutions investment manager is positioning the fund to give institutional investors diversified global exposure to forests, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. [link]
Adding peanut shell powder to cookies significantly boosts fiber, antioxidants, and minerals while reducing starch digestibility, according to a new study in the Journal of Food Science. The findings point to peanut shells as a low-cost, upcycled ingredient that could improve the nutritional profile of mainstream baked goods. [link]
A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to bar SNAP recipients from using food benefits to purchase sugary drinks and candy. The ruling preserves existing SNAP purchasing rules and deals a setback to the administration’s efforts to reshape federal nutrition assistance policy. [link]
Danone and Mars backed Livelihoods’ new €150 million Carbon Fund 4, targeting 7–10 million tons of CO2 removal through nature-based solutions. The fund aims to sustainably improve the livelihoods of 500,000 people over 25 years, combining climate impact with community development across agroforestry and ecosystem restoration projects. [link]
Sustainable Northwest received a $6.9 million USDA grant to expand the U.S. West’s largest regenerative ranching program. The funding will reward ranchers who adopt practices that measurably improve rangeland health, reflecting continued federal investment in land stewardship. [link]
KIND Snacks announced it now sources approximately 50% of its almond supply from farms using regenerative agriculture practices. The milestone, achieved on a mass-balance basis in 2026, reflects growing momentum among major food brands in scaling regenerative sourcing across their supply chains. [link]
Closure of the Strait of Hormuz is throttling fertilizer supply, leading American farmers to plant several million fewer corn acres in 2026. The trade disruption, while economically painful for growers, may inadvertently reduce soil and water pollution associated with heavy nitrogen applications in conventional corn production. [link]
Food System Innovations launched an AI-powered Food Intelligence Lab, backed by the Bezos Earth Fund, to develop better-tasting alternative proteins via an open-source model. By making its AI tools publicly available, the initiative aims to democratize protein innovation and accelerate development of plant-based and fermented foods that can compete with conventional products on taste. [link]
Alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy triggered by lone star tick bites, is spreading across the U.S. as climate change expands tick habitats. Growing deer populations and warming temperatures are accelerating the lone star tick’s geographic range, raising concerns about more Americans developing life-altering dietary restrictions from tick exposure. [link]
The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Bayer, ruling the company did not have a duty to warn consumers that Roundup causes cancer. The decision strengthens Bayer’s position as it works to resolve thousands of pending lawsuits over its glyphosate-based herbicide, and may limit future state-level failure-to-warn claims. [link]
A new IUCN report finds that voluntary agricultural sustainability standards can play a pivotal role in advancing biodiversity conservation and supporting a Nature Positive future. The report outlines pathways for certification systems and supply chain standards to align with global biodiversity goals, offering guidance for companies and policymakers. [link]
The UK government pledged an additional £53 million for its Farming Innovation Program, bringing total 2026 funding to £123 million. The expanded program supports the development and adoption of advanced agricultural technologies, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to sustainable food production as it builds post-Brexit farm policy. [link]
President Trump signed an Executive Order to accelerate American agriculture modernization, with an emphasis on regenerative practices and strengthening the U.S. food supply. The order signals White House support for farmer-led land stewardship and national food security as federal agricultural policy continues to evolve. [link]
In Case You Missed It…
In mid-April, Mars and ofi announced a five-year strategic collaboration to help advance climate-smart and regenerative agriculture practices in cocoa production in Ecuador. See more, here.