July 26, 2025

Spotlight Stories

Spotlight 1 – Vogue writes about why regenerative farming is the latest wellness travel trend. Check it out, here.

Spotlight 2 – UC Santa Barbara says that protecting nature may depend on where - not just how - we farm. Read the story, here.

Spotlight 3 – AgWeb details how MAHA is digging into soil health. Take a read, here.

Industry Updates

The UK Government has released a significant update to its national food strategy for England, framing it as a necessary response to the growing threats posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental decline. This latest plan replaces the previous strategy introduced under a Conservative-led administration, which faced heavy criticism after key proposals were omitted, including recommendations to expand access to free school meals, require supermarkets to report their food waste, and assist farms in preparing for climate change. The new food strategy aims to bring greater cohesion across sectors, outlining ten overarching goals that aim to link agriculture, health, trade, and the environment under a single strategic umbrella. [link]

Butterflies in decline inside the UK could get a boost from more trees and hedgerows on farmland, new research suggests. A study led by the University of Oxford and Butterfly Conservation has found that trees, hedgerows, and small woodlands significantly increase butterfly numbers in agricultural landscapes. The research, funded by The Woodland Trust and published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence, comes amid troubling news for UK butterflies, with more than half of species now in long-term decline. [link]

A Wisconsin nonprofit is working with farmers in Southeast Wisconsin to educate communities about the importance of agroforestry, with plans to establish its first urban site in Milwaukee. The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute has planted more than 400 trees across three sites this year, in partnership with the Savanna Institute. The sites include a community garden and two farms. One of the project's goals is to raise awareness of the practices and their larger connection to food systems, climate change and communities. The sites will also be used for educational demonstrations. [link]

PepsiCo is introducing Pepsi Prebiotic Cola, the evolution of cola created to reflect the tastes and values of today's cola lovers. This innovation includes 5 grams of cane sugar, has 30 calories, and contains no artificial sweeteners. It delivers the classic crisp, refreshing taste of Pepsi—with the added functional ingredient of 3 grams of prebiotic fiber. Available in 12 oz. single cans for trial and 8-packs of 12 oz. cans, the new offering will be available online this fall and at retail in early 2026, located in the traditional carbonated soft drink aisle alongside the full Pepsi portfolio. [link]

Coca-Cola plans to add a line of cane sugar-sweetened Coke after U.S. President Trump last week said the company had agreed to use “REAL Cane Sugar” in the soda. Coca-Cola said that it has been adding cane sugar to a number of its products in recent years, including lemonades and teas. That said, the company will continue to use a lot of corn syrup as a sweetener in its products, according to its CEO. [link]

Sustainability-focused European asset manager Ambienta announced the acquisition of Agronova Biotech, marking its first investment in the sustainable agriculture sector. Agronova provides solutions that help address some of the sectors sustainability issues, offering microbial alternatives to replace synthetic chemicals, enabling improved nutrient uptake to maximize crop yields with organic fertilization sources. The company has more than 800 products, including biostimulants and biocontrol products helping farmers to deal with biotic stress such as insects and fungi, and abiotic issues such as droughts and flooding. [link]

Farmers from across the world have come together through the Global Farmer Network (GFN) to launch a new initiative for regenerative agriculture. Over 1,000 farmers in 60 countries have signed a farmer-written declaration that outlines shared values for a more sustainable farming future. The “Regenerative Agriculture: A Farmers’ Declaration” supports practices that restore soil health, protect water and biodiversity, and ensure that rural communities remain strong and respected. The declaration also values scientific knowledge, modern tools, and traditional methods working together. [link]

A recent study by the University of Cordoba's Department of Agricultural Economics, Finance, and Accounting has identified stability and flexibility as the two main components of farm resilience. Researchers analyzed Spanish arable crops across 947 farms, examining how factors such as farm size, workforce, and farming methods (organic vs. conventional) affected stability and flexibility. The study revealed that Spanish farms showed high stability but low flexibility, influenced by factors such as land ownership and reliance on subsidies. This research highlights the need for more nuanced policy instruments that consider both static and dynamic resilience. [link]

Indiana farmers planted an estimated 1.6 million acres of overwinter living covers, according to a recent conservation survey from Indiana Conservation Partnership. As a result, it is estimated that 1.8 million tons of sediment were prevented from entering Indiana’s waterways, which would fill about 18,000 train freight cars. The survey also showed that about 70% of row crop acres were not tilled and about 18% had employed reduced tillage over winter, after the 2024 harvest. [link]

A new approach to farming is taking root at Clemson University, whereby researchers are implementing regenerative agriculture techniques to analyze soil restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and climate change adaptation. At the Clemson Restoration Agriculture Farm in the Upstate, everything from the insects to the plants to the soil is designed to work together in harmony. Thus far, researchers have focused on forest farming techniques, cover crops, no-till practices, and agroforestry. [link]

Innocent Drinks has announced that it will be funding nine organizations working across its global fruit and vegetable supply chains. The goal is to help these entities adopt regenerative agriculture practices that are better for the planet and more resilient in the face of growing environmental challenges. The initiative is part of its Farmer Innovation Fund, which will distribute £1 million in grants for the 2025 cycle. [link]

In Case You Missed It…

In April, North Carolina State said it was working to examine basalt as a soil amendment and lime replacement within the state. See more, here.