March 14, 2026

Spotlight Stories

Spotlight 1 – Farm progress writes about how alternative fuels are reshaping farm income. Ready the story, here.

Spotlight 2 – The Daily Yonder warns that USDA staff cuts could hinder the rollout of the agency’s new regenerative agriculture initiative. Check it out, here.

Spotlight 3 – World Resources Institute says that silvopasture may not be the major climate solution that some claim. Take a read, here.

Industry Updates

A new agroforestry and climate resilience project has been launched in the Bono Region of Ghana, targeting cashew farmers with a comprehensive package of interventions designed to diversify incomes and build long-term environmental sustainability in the country. The initiative, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), supports tree planting and the delivery of more than 70 beehives to cooperative members, establishing a beekeeping enterprise that provides a supplementary income stream while improving farm pollination, a factor directly linked to higher cashew yields. The initiative also invests significantly in processing capability and climate knowledge. [link]

A team of researchers led by Jiangsu University recently completed research on what happens at the microscopic level on the surface of plastic particles in soils, where microbes meet, compete, and trade genes. These interactions could influence soil fertility, ecosystem recovery, and the long-term sustainability of agriculture. Microplastics are plastic fragments smaller than five millimeters. In agricultural settings, they can arrive through plastic mulch, sewage sludge, irrigation water, and the breakdown of larger plastic waste. Once in the soil, they can change soil structure, interfere with nutrient cycling, and affect the organisms that keep soil ecosystems working. [link]

Farmers could turn more of the UK’s farmland into productive agroforestry systems if they had access to trusted advice and real farm examples, according to new research from the University of Reading. Dr. Amelia Hood, from the Department of Sustainable Land Management at the University of Reading, worked with 220 stakeholders including farmers, policymakers and NGOs to identify why agroforestry is still rare in the UK, despite strong interest from farmers and government funding for tree planting. The research found that a key barrier to adopting agroforestry is that farmers don’t have the knowledge they need to implement and manage it. Many farmers want to see working examples of agroforestry in their area, before committing to new methods with long-term implications for farm management. [link]

The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is launching a new funding opportunity to help Minnesota farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect water quality through nitrogen enhanced-efficiency fertilizers (N EEFs) during the 2026 growing season. Supported by a federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, the program will provide financial support to agricultural retailers that offer farmers discounts on approved N EEF products. Eligible products include nitrification inhibitors, urease inhibitors listed on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) approved product list, and polymer-coated urea. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open to agricultural cooperatives and other qualified retailers interested in contracting with MAWQCP to distribute discounted products to farmers statewide. [link]

PepsiCo is bringing one of its most recognizable snack brands into the culinary world with the launch of its first restaurant concept dedicated to Lay’s, opening in Madrid, Spain. The concept, called Pilla Tortilla, centers on Spain’s iconic tortilla (potato omelet) reimagined with Lay’s potato chips as a signature ingredient. Developed in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Miguel Carretero, the restaurant represents the first time PepsiCo has launched a full dining concept around one of its food brands. [link]

The SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) has unveiled a new publication entitled ‘Potentials of Agroforestry for Rural Development and Climate Resilient Farming in South Asia’ at a program held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The book highlights the growing importance of agroforestry in strengthening rural livelihoods and climate resilience across the region. South Asia faces significant challenges from climate change, population pressure and limited land resources. In such a situation, agroforestry offers a practical and sustainable solution. By integrating trees with crops and livestock, farmers can improve soil fertility, conserve biodiversity and strengthen their resilience to climate shocks. [link]

As shoppers grow more concerned about chemical inputs, soil health, and farmer welfare, they’re looking beyond traditional organic foods and embracing Regenerative Organic Certified, or ROC, products. According to Spins data, ROC products saw a 22% increase in buyers during 2025 - outpacing certifications like Fair Trade USA and USDA Organic certified, which grew by just 10.7% and 6.6%, respectively. The ROC certification is led by the non-profit Regenerative Organic Alliance, founded by the Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’s, and Patagonia. It builds on USDA Organic standards with an eye towards restoring and not just sustaining resources. [link]

PepsiCo is expanding regenerative agriculture and precision farming in Mexico’s potato sector through its Demo Farm platform, strengthening domestic sourcing and contract farming under its pep+ sustainability strategy. The company held the 20th edition of its Demo Farm exposition in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, bringing together more than 100 national and international agricultural partners to evaluate technologies, measure field results and advance sustainable production models tied to PepsiCo’s “PepsiCo Positivo” (pep+) strategy. The initiative places soil regeneration, water savings, carbon footprint reduction and yield efficiency at the center of the company’s agricultural operations. [link]

A large-scale pilot project studying the effects of recharging water onto pistachio orchards, some with cover crops and some without, is in full swing across the San Joaquin Valley. The project, a collaboration between private nonprofit Sustainable Conservation, American Pistachio Growers and Fresno State University kicked off in January and will study recharge on six orchards in Tulare, Merced and Madera counties. Each pilot partner recharges onto 20 acres of orchard with cover crops and 20 acres with no cover crops. University graduate students will take samples to monitor soil health and water quality during the project as well as study the economics of the project. [link]

Starting in April, McDonald’s plans to launch new deals and discounts to keep the chain ahead of competitors in the battle for fast-food dollars. The company’s new value effort includes a menu of items costing $3 and less, meant to provide more flexibility and choice, according to people familiar with the discussions. The chain is also readying new $4 breakfast meal deals. [link]

As California agriculture faces both challenges and opportunities, a coalition of state, academic and agricultural industry partners is introducing the California Agricultural Research & Innovation Roadmap, a blueprint to guide and accelerate scientific discovery, and commercialization and real-world adoption of next-generation tools. Guided by farmer and rancher input, the plan was developed collaboratively by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), the California State University Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), California Community Colleges, Western Growers and the California AgTech Alliance. Research priorities include: Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability; Water Management, Use Efficiency and Quality; Integrated Pest and Disease Management; Food Safety and Consumer Health; Technology, Automation and Data-Driven Farming; and Economics, Policy and Adoption Pathways. [link]

Farmers and agricultural professionals will have an opportunity to learn about the latest Clemson University research on cover crops and soil health during a Cover Crop Field Day on March 24 in Campobello, South Carolina. The event will highlight Clemson studies examining winter cover crops such as annual ryegrass and cereal rye and how planting timing influences establishment and growth. Scientists and graduate students will present findings from ongoing studies focused on soil health, cover crop performance and conservation farming practices. [link]

The International Fresh Produce Association has been awarded federal funding as part of USDA’s Advancing Markets for Producers grant program. IFPA’s “Advancing Markets for Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture in Specialty Crops” project is a continuation of the sustainability and resiliency pilots the organization was developing previously, along with new investment from the current Administration. The association is seeking 30 additional growers of select specialty crops in California and Washington state to complement the 70 producers already enrolled in the program. Growers must trial and adopt conservation practices through targeted incentives and tailored technical assistance, with a focus on alley cropping, nutrient management, residue and tillage management, short-season cover crops, soil amendments and mulches, and water management. [link]

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has signed a bill that puts a five-year moratorium on the sale of cultivated meat, a month after vetoing a proposal to impose a permanent ban. The state has imposed a five-year moratorium on cultivated meat, barring its sale, manufacture or distribution between July 1 this year and June 30, 2031. Violators of the law could be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor, which may result in a $500 fine, 30 days in jail, or both. [link]

In Case You Missed It…

In early February, McCain Foods said it would launch its third Farm of the Future in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, this year. See more, here.