August 29, 2026
Spotlight Stories
Spotlight 1 – Farm Progress writes about Arkansas farmers using sunflowers to deliver benefits to their farm and bottom line. Ready the story, here.
Spotlight 2 – The Environmental Working Group asks why so many “city slickers” are receiving farm subsidy payments. Check it out, here.
Spotlight 3 – The Rodale Institute looks into the role of regenerative organic agriculture in a changing climate. Take a read, here.
Industry Updates
A new program in West Michigan, the Regenerative Pear Growers Network, will pay farmers to adopt soil health practices. The pilot compensates participating growers for implementing practices that improve orchard soil health. [link]
The Finland Resilient Agriculture Landscape call is now open for applications. The program is seeking solutions that support the transition toward regenerative agriculture in the country’s southern regions. [link]
Fertilizer prices are expected to remain elevated above pre-Iran war levels through 2028. The forecast comes from a new report by CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange. [link]
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for its Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant. The AGRI program supports innovative on-farm research and demonstrations of practices that could make farming more profitable or resource-efficient. [link]
Edible Garden AG and Square Roots announced a strategic partnership to develop new functional beverages. The controlled-environment agriculture companies aim to create a new generation of clean-label, ready-to-drink nutrition products. [link]
Proofing Station is funding $2.1 million in two agricultural businesses in Wisconsin. The investment aims to expand sustainable farming and strengthen regional food systems. [link]
North Dakota State University Extension will host an End of Summer Soils Field Day on Sept. 3. The event, held with the Trusted Advisor Partnership – Northern Plains, will cover soil fertility and testing, cover crop management, and on-farm soil practices. [link]
TerraBlaster, a precision ag startup, raised a $12.5 million seed round led by Ulu Ventures, alongside Khosla Ventures, Trailhead Capital and Builders Vision. The company measures a wide range of field nutrients in real time at a resolution matched to today’s precision application technology. [link]
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced a new investment in dairy grazing. The initiative aims to help beginning, small and medium-sized dairy farms boost profitability and improve resiliency through grazing. [link]
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined a regenerative farming roundtable discussion in Clearwater, Florida. He was joined by U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, and state agricultural leaders. [link]
Regional grocer Hannaford Supermarkets is investing $500,000 in the Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment in Maine. The partnership supports the center’s mission to advance regenerative farming practices and support local suppliers. [link]
Natural Grocers will mark Organic Month in September with a nationwide fundraiser for the Rodale Institute. The retailer will invite customers to help fund Rodale’s Farmer Training and Veteran Farmer Training programs. [link]
In Case You Missed It…
In early July, a new independent research initiative, the Center for Dynamic Soils, officially launched to transform how soil science is conducted and applied across the UK food and farming sectors. See more, here.