August 1, 2026
Spotlight Stories
Spotlight 1 – Atmos explains what regenerative organic farms can teach the beauty industry. Ready the story, here.
Spotlight 2 – ScienceAlert details a genius new way to remove PFAS from soil. Check it out, here.
Spotlight 3 – Farmers Weekly looks at how soil moisture sensors can cut water use on farms. Take a read, here.
Industry Updates
Reversing human-made soil degradation by just 10% could allow Earth’s arable land to feed an extra 70 million people, a new study finds. The research was published in Nature Food by scientists from the University of Bonn, the University of Minnesota, Project Drawdown, the University of Basel, and Hamburg University of Technology. [link]
Minnesota will open applications Aug. 3 for its next round of Soil Health Financial Assistance Program Grants. The grants help producers and partners purchase or retrofit equipment that supports soil-building practices. [link]
WK Kellogg Company is backing the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund to support soil health education and farmer innovation. The fund is aimed at advancing on-farm innovation and education tied to soil health practices. [link]
A new Land Management Incentive Program is now open to farmers in the Shire of Nillumbik region of Victoria, Australia. The program provides grants of up to $10,000 to support sustainable land management projects on private land. [link]
A new five-year, multi-state study led by Texas A&M University examines how grazing management affects ranch productivity. The research also looked at grazing’s impact on soil health across participating ranches. [link]
A new partnership on Maui is using regenerative agriculture and biochar technology to restore former agricultural lands. Organizers say the effort aims to build a more sustainable future for the island’s farming communities. [link]
The Barka Fund has invested $1 million in Kenyan macadamia exporter Orient Enterprises. The funding will support infrastructure upgrades, working capital, and expanded agroforestry practices on the company’s farms. [link]
New Soil Health Institute research shows soil health and conservation practices are improving forage production. The findings could help dairy farmers boost forage quality and overall sustainability on their operations. [link]
A leading global authority on adaptive grazing and regenerative land management visited Wales for a 4Rivers for Life farmer event. He shared his tried-and-tested farming practices and principles with local farmers. [link]
Extreme heat is disrupting the ability of terrestrial ecosystems to absorb carbon dioxide, new research warns. A study published in Nature Communications by CREAF finds that rising heat accelerates ecosystem respiration and CO2 release, breaking the balance plants normally provide by capturing carbon through photosynthesis. [link]
Mars, Inc. has partnered with Save the Children to launch the Women RISE program supporting cocoa-growing communities in Indonesia. The three-year initiative is backed by a $3 million grant from the Mars Impact Fund and aims to advance child protection and women’s economic empowerment. [link]
Natural Grocers has been named 2026 Sustainability Retailer of the Year by Produce Business. Produce Business is a leading trade publication serving the fresh produce industry. [link]
A University of Nottingham plant scientist has been awarded a Royal Society Fellowship to study biological nitrogen fixation in legumes. The research aims to pave the way for more sustainable agricultural practices tied to how legumes fix nitrogen naturally. [link]
Cornell University has developed one of the first AI tools to advance scientific discovery in agriculture and biogeochemistry. Researchers say the new computer model is 50 times more efficient than its predecessors. [link]
In Case You Missed It…
In late June, U.S. non-profit Food System Innovations announced the launch of an AI-led Food Intelligence Lab to create better-tasting alternative proteins with an open-source model, in an effort backed by the Bezos Earth Fund. See more, here.