April 25, 2026

Spotlight Stories

Spotlight 1 – Forests News looks at four competing nature visions for 2050 alongside how agroforestry helps address a developing polycrisis. Ready the story, here.

Spotlight 2 – The Baffler presents an important deep dive into farmland in Ukraine. Check it out, here.

Spotlight 3 – Farms.com says that soil health has become key to farm survival. Take a read, here.

Industry Updates

The Haryana government in India will launch an e-auction portal to enable farmers to sell agroforestry trees grown on their fields, such as eucalyptus and poplar, through the Haryana Forest Development Corporation (HFDC). This initiative is expected to help farmers secure better prices by eliminating intermediaries while also allowing them to set their own reserve prices. Tree volume details will be uploaded to the e-auction portal, enabling an auction to take place. Transactions will incur a 5% service fee, with the remaining amount being transferred directly to the farmer’s bank account. The scheme will also be open to institutions, for which a service fee of 10% will be applicable. [link]

Jesse Labbe-Watson will lead an online presentation called, Permaculture Design for Agroforestry Systems, on Tuesday, May 5, hosted by Merryspring Nature Center. Participants will be able to see how a permaculture design process can be helpful for farmers and homesteaders considering agroforestry practices for regenerating land, water and climate. The presentation will show examples of the design process using Erickson Fields farm as the case study in Rockport, Maine. Jesse Labbe-Watson operates Midcoast Permaculture Design. He has been doing landscape design, farm planning and construction contracting work for residential and farm clients since 2009. [link]

Some Minnesota farmers are skipping planting season amid rising fuel and fertilizer costs. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is noticing that more farmers are leasing out their property instead of farming it themselves. Steve Zenk, a farm advocate for the MDA said it’s an option that makes sense for older farmers who have owned their land for decades and don’t believe they can make a profit this year. Working with finances on a daily basis, Zenk said it boils down to sheer numbers. Right now, he foresees some farmers spending up to $900 to plant an acre of corn but getting a return of $800, a net loss. Zenk said he’s also seeing similar cases with cattle where high prices have some farmers choosing not to buy cattle and leaving their feed lots empty, for now. [link]

A multimillion-dollar grant will soon help the University of Missouri’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture put virtual fence collars on more cattle across two Midwest states. The $3.7 million grant will go to 200 producers between Missouri and Nebraska, covering about 150,000 acres of farmland. Rob Myers, the director of CRA, said cattle producers can begin applying for these funds in June. [link]

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the Government of Germany signed a Host Country Agreement, marking a significant step in deepening their long-standing partnership on sustainable development, climate action and global food security as key pillars of global stability and security. At a time of increasing geopolitical tensions, climate risks and food insecurity, the partnership underscores a shared commitment to addressing root causes of instability. Sustainable land use, resilient food systems and climate resilience are central to preventing conflict, strengthening livelihoods and enhancing long-term human security. Building on decades of German support for international research and development cooperation, the establishment of a CIFOR European secretariat in Bonn reflects a continued commitment to science-based solutions that connect global knowledge with local realities. [link]

A University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research team has developed a dynamic framework that uses satellite imagery and machine learning to detect tillage practices over large areas and long time periods. Overall, the researchers found that conservation tillage increased gradually across the Midwest for both corn and soybean from 2000 to 2022. The maps also revealed clear differences by crop and region: soybean fields generally showed higher no-till adoption, while corn fields relied more on reduced-till practices, and adoption trends varied substantially across the northern and eastern Midwest. No-till adoption is more common in drier regions such as the Great Plains, where leaving crop residues on the soil surface helps conserve soil moisture. It is also more prevalent in warmer regions, where slower soil warming under residue cover does not strongly constrain planting, the researchers found. [link]

Adelaide University researchers have demonstrated that a naturally derived seaweed compound can dramatically reduce methane emissions from beef cattle raised in extensive grazing systems, without harming calves. The study, published in Frontiers in Animal Science, investigated the use of bromoform extract oil, derived from the red seaweed Asparagopsis, in pregnant and lactating Angus cows. Methane is responsible for around 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the industrial revolution, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Across the eight-week trial involving 80 Angus cows, methane emissions were reduced by between 49% and 77% in cows receiving the supplement. [link]

The Nature Conservancy (TNC), in collaboration with leading agricultural organizations, announced the release of Advancing Regenerative Agriculture Through Trusted Farm Advisors: A Collaborative Roadmap for Action. This industry roadmap aims to accelerate the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices at scale by harnessing the influence and expertise of private-sector farm advisors and agribusinesses. The report outlines a coordinated strategy to strengthen and support the critical role of private-sector farm advisors—such as agribusinesses, independent agronomists, and certified crop advisors—who are among farmers’ most trusted sources of guidance shape on-farm decision-making across millions of acres. Developed through a year-long, multi-stakeholder process, the roadmap identifies four core barriers limiting progress—ranging from insufficient workforce capacity to unclear business value propositions—and lays out three interconnected pillars with nine actionable recommendations to address them. [link]

A University of Hawai’i soil service center is reopening with free testing for flood-impacted farmers. The University of Hawai’i at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) is reopening the Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center (ADSC). Local farmers will once again have access to soil and plant testing in Hawai’i at a reasonable cost, instead of sending samples to the U.S. continent. The center’s reopening also allows CTAHR to offer free soil and plant testing through July 21, 2026, to farmers whose land and crops were affected by Kona low flooding in March and April. [link]

A new study has found that innovative liquid biochar-based fertilizers can significantly increase crop yields, improve nutrient efficiency, and deliver strong economic returns, offering a promising pathway toward more sustainable agriculture. Researchers developed a series of liquid biochar mineral complex fertilizers and tested them in a pasture cropping system. These formulations combine biochar with mineral nutrients in a liquefied form, allowing easier application and faster nutrient availability for plants. The results show that certain formulations, particularly those enriched with nitrogen, dramatically outperform conventional fertilization approaches. [link]

Grasslands, wetlands and other non-forest ecosystems are being converted to agricultural land far faster than forests, yet they remain largely overlooked by Europe’s flagship anti-deforestation law and other environmental policies, according to a new report by the Rainforest Alliance, World Resources Institute and partner organizations. The report found such ecosystems are being lost to agriculture at roughly four times the rate of forests. Around 190 million hectares (470 million acres) of non-forest natural ecosystems, a combined area almost the size of Mexico, was converted to mostly pastures and farms over the 15 years from 2005 to 2020. Brazil saw the most conversion of non-forest ecosystems to agriculture over the 15-year period of the study, followed by China, Russia and the United States. [link]

New research published in the journal PLOS Climate examined 1,233 environmental claims made by 33 of the biggest meat and dairy companies between 2021-2024 and found that 98% of claims fall under the category of greenwashing according to a greenwashing assessment framework developed by researchers in 2022. Many of the statements were overly vague or unverifiable future projections. Only 356 (29%) of the claims were backed by supporting evidence from sources like government bodies or trade organizations, and scholarly scientific evidence was provided to support only three of these claims, two of which were climate related. While 17 of the companies included in the study have made net-zero commitments—compared to just 4 in 2020—the commitments appear to heavily rely on carbon offsetting, which involves funding projects that compensate for emissions, rather than decarbonization, which would directly address the source of emissions. [link]

Fully organic growers face fewer agronomic challenges as compared to mixed growers, according to a recent analysis published in Agricultural Systems by researchers at the University of California. The researchers combined quantitative and qualitative data from a survey and a set of interviews, respectively, with organic farmers in the state of California. The three main findings include: Fully organic farmers face fewer agronomic difficulties overall compared to mixed organic or non-organic farmers; Larger farms, regardless of organic status, face greater agronomic challenges in terms of crop nutrition, pest, and weed management; and Smaller-scale farms face fewer agronomic challenges than medium-to-large-scale farms. [link]

RegenAll announced it supported a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania farmer in installing a silvopasture project that will improve the health of the farm’s dairy cows, land, and future prosperity. Thanks to a $7,000 grant from RegenAll’s Community Climate Fund, Benuel E. Beiler was able to plant 130 trees across seven acres of his organic dairy farm. The trees will provide a wide range of benefits. Fruit and nut trees, including persimmons, mulberries, hickories, and chestnuts, will offer tree crops for retail sale and home use. Honey locust trees drop edible pods for the cattle during the winter months. Fast-growing trees, such as black locusts, will provide shade over the pasture, which improves the cows’ physical well-being and ultimately leads to higher milk output. With increased milk production, the farm can also expect to see an increase in revenue. [link]

In Case You Missed It…

In late January, North Dakota announced that it was creating a pilot program to encourage landowners to convert less productive agricultural land into grass habitat for wildlife. See more, here.

April 18, 2026

Spotlight Stories

Spotlight 1 – The Fence Post digs into why good conservation programs still struggle to reach farmers. Ready the story, here.

Spotlight 2 – Reuters details the new climate reporting rules for the food sector that should help support the regenerative agriculture transition. Check it out, here.

Spotlight 3 – Grist says that Hurricane Helene ravaged farmers’ topsoil. They’re still fighting to build it back. Take a read, here.

Industry Updates

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced the reopening of the 2025 crop acreage reporting period for specialty crop producers. This extension applies to producers who are interested in applying for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program. Eligible specialty crop producers now have until April 24, 2026, to report their 2025 acreage. According to the USDA announcement, the ASCF program is designed to provide financial relief to eligible specialty crops and sugar commodity producers. Payments will come as one-time bridge payments and are intended to support producers not covered under the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. [link]

The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust and the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) have launched the latest Bitesize Guide titled ‘Technology adoption for sustainable farming’. It highlights key findings, discussions and ideas from the library of Nuffield Farming scholar reports, covering new technologies being developed and used to help make agriculture more sustainable. Extracts include explanations of key technologies, what to opt for and what to avoid, to specific practical examples of technology use in different sectors. [link]

McDonald’s is set to offer energy drinks and specialty sodas like a Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer as part of a broader overhaul of its menu of cold drinks at its U.S. restaurants later this year. The new beverages, slated to roll out next month, include a Dirty Dr Pepper and Mango Pineapple Refresher, according to documents. The company’s slate of energy drinks are expected to be sold starting in August. The fast-food company has spent years plotting its beverage expansion. McDonald’s plans to sell its new beverages at prices below those of competitors such as Starbucks, Dutch Bros, Sonic and other chains. [link]

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is delivering specialized laser land leveling equipment to Turkmenistan to work on farm pilot projects that improve efficiency and productivity. The provided technology ensures high-precision leveling of agricultural lands using automated systems, which contributes to more even distribution of irrigation water, prevention of water logging, reduction of soil salinization, and increased productivity. It is expected that after the demonstration phase, the equipment will be used on a regular basis, contributing to the increased sustainability of agricultural production and the improvement of local communities’ well-being. [link]

A federal agency that provides critical land management assistance to American farmers has quietly gone dark in swaths of rural America. Agriculture Department offices for the government’s Natural Resources Conservation Service are operating with skeleton crews across the country — or no staff at all, in some cases — at a time farmers want expert help to restore degraded soil, manage water quality and develop land preservation plans. Debilitating staff reductions have hampered farmers’ enrollment in, and implementation of, NRCS programs. The lack of federal staffers will likely mean fewer applicants, fewer approvals and more payment delays for conservation work, according to farmers and industry experts. [link]

Farmers and ranchers across the U.S. have an opportunity to contribute to a national research effort examining how real-world farming practices influence soil health and agricultural resilience. Through this land-grant-university study, participants will complete a short survey on their farm management practices and submit a soil sample for free analysis. In return, farmers will receive a soil health report and compensation for their time, while helping researchers better understand how different systems impact soil health and agricultural resilience. This project is part of the Ag Resilience Coordinated Agricultural Project, a multi-state collaboration of researchers, educators, and farmers working to identify farming practices that improve the resilience of agricultural systems across the United States. The initiative focuses on diverse systems, including row crops, forages, livestock, fruits, vegetables, and more, to evaluate how management decisions influence both soil health and farm performance. [link]

Natural Grocers, the nation’s largest family-operated natural and organic grocery retailer, is celebrating Earth Day with a three-day, in-store event that brings together savings, education and environmental impact. As part of its broader Earth Month efforts, the company is spotlighting products that meet its standards for healthier soil, cleaner homes and more transparent food systems, culminating in special Earth Day deals, giveaways- and sweepstakes April 22–24, at all Natural Grocers locations. This year’s Earth Month fundraising efforts will benefit Rodale Institute’s Farmer Training Programs—highly immersive, full-time programs that prepare farmers for careers in regenerative organic crop and vegetable production by advancing organic practices and soil health. Natural Grocers aims to raise $100,000 in April for Rodale Institute’s Farmer Training Programs through in-store fundraising opportunities. [link]

Purina Europe announced that it has exceeded its early milestone for regenerative agriculture. The pet care company had set an initial target of sourcing 20% of cereals and vegetable proteins from farmers using regenerative agriculture practices. By the end of 2025 this figure has already reached 29%. Across Europe more than 630 farmers and over 37,000 hectares are now engaged in regenerative agriculture programs supported by Purina. [link]

Microsoft confirmed in a statement that its carbon removal program will continue to form part of its strategy to achieve its climate goals, while it “may adjust the pace or volume of our carbon removal procurement,” countering speculation that the tech giant was halting the program. The statement follows media reports indicating that Microsoft has told carbon credit suppliers that it is pausing its carbon removal purchases. Such a move could have significant implications on the carbon removal market, which has been driven largely by purchase activity by Microsoft in recent years. Microsoft is by far the largest buyer of carbon removal credits globally, representing approximately 90% of the market in 2025, according to carbon dioxide removals (CDRs) platform CDR.fyi. While the company has said that it takes a “reduction-first” approach to reaching its goals, it utilizes carbon removal to address residual and historical emissions that cannot be mitigated through reduction. [link]

Mars, Incorporated and ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) announced a five-year strategic collaboration (2025-2029) to help advance climate-smart and regenerative agriculture practices in cocoa production in Ecuador, across Mars and ofi’s shared cocoa supply chain. In the first phase, more than 960 farmers across major cocoa growing regions of El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí and Santo Domingo in Ecuador are expected to implement regenerative agriculture, across more than 9,000 hectares of farmland. Farmers are transitioning from full-sun monoculture to multi-strata agroforestry. By mimicking natural forest ecosystems, these systems boost cocoa production, support microorganisms and pollinators, and create natural barriers against pests and disease. Farmers will also be equipped with tools to use low carbon fertilizers, improved crop residue management, and biochar applications. [link]

Nutrients recovered from animal and human waste could drastically reduce synthetic fertilizer use in the U.S., according to a new Cornell study that takes into account real-world implementation challenges like processing and transport. In the study, published in Nature Sustainability, researchers found that animal and human waste in the U.S. could theoretically meet 102% of nitrogen and 50% of phosphorus needs for the nation’s agriculture, a value of more than $5.7 billion annually. But they also identified a major hurdle: a frequent mismatch between the location of the waste – often in areas densely populated with people or livestock – and agricultural regions with the highest fertilizer needs. Still, by mapping and analyzing the sources of waste and of agricultural need, the research team found that large percentages of recoverable nutrients – 37% of nitrogen and 46% of phosphorus – can be used locally, and more than half of the surplus nutrients can be redistributed to nearby regions with low economic and environmental costs. [link]

Concerns are growing about the future of American agriculture as the number of farms declines and fewer young people pursue careers in the industry. The Texas Farm Bureau says one of the biggest challenges is making agriculture profitable enough to attract the next generation of producers. An aging farmer population is adding to the concern, with many producers nearing retirement and uncertain succession plans in place. In some cases, farmland is being taken out of production altogether. Industry leaders say increasing awareness about where food comes from—and the people who produce it—will be key to sustaining agriculture for future generations. [link]

Patagonia‘s nonprofit shareholder Holdfast Collective has announced a $1.55 million commitment to help the Rodale Institute transition Ventura County, California’s agricultural industry to one built primarily on regenerative practices that improve soil health and natural resistance to disease. The Rodale Institute Regenerate Ventura initiative provides farmers in the county with technical assistance and other support needed to shift production away from conventional methods that rely heavily on chemical pesticides. The idea is to aid farmers through a process that can be seen as risky and, in some cases, cost prohibitive to the average grower. [link]

The Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) is proud to announce the launch of its global photo contest, Regenerative Agriculture: Fostering Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods, open to photographers worldwide from April 15 to May 15, 2026. The contest invites photographers of all backgrounds to submit images that capture how regenerative agriculture supports resilient ecosystems, thriving landscapes, and the communities that depend on them. The three categories open for submission include: Agrobiodiversity — crops, pollinators, soil life, agroforestry, and biodiversity within farming landscapes; Landscapes — agricultural landscapes where regenerative practices build ecological resilience; and People & Livelihoods — faces and stories of people whose lives are connected to regenerative agriculture. Prizes include an Overall 1st Prize of $1,000, a People’s Choice Award of $400, and three Category Winner prizes of $200 each. Finalists will also be featured at the Regenerative Agriculture Forum 2026 in Brazil. [link]

In Case You Missed It…

In late March, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced new actions aimed at boosting the supply of American born, raised, and harvested beef. See more, here.

April 11, 2026

Spotlight Stories

Spotlight 1 – AgTech Navigator talks about why South American agriculture faces its defining moment in 2026. Ready the story, here.

Spotlight 2 – The Packer looks into how the conflict in Iran is raising prices in the American produce aisle. Check it out, here.

Spotlight 3 – AgFunder News discusses how alternative lender Steward is bridging the gap for capital availability in the regenerative agriculture space. Take a read, here.

Industry Updates

United Chestnuts released a new podcast entitled, “Growing Pains: Scaling Your Chestnut Orchard.” The company recently sat down with Sandy Russell of Chestnuts in the Ozarks to discuss management of the critical middle ground between the farm gate and the consumer’s table. As the U.S. chestnut industry grows and expands, commercial buyers will be looking for quality and consistency from all growers in the marketplace. What does this mean for smaller growers? Collaboration is the key to successfully navigating a changing landscape, ahead. [link]

Pesticide maker Syngenta said it would begin selling in South America this year a new weedkiller capable of eradicating grass weeds that have evolved to resist other common crop sprays, and threaten soybean and cotton crops. The chemical, called Virestina, is part of a multibillion-dollar race among agriculture companies like Syngenta, Bayer and Corteva. The companies are pushing to research, develop and market herbicides after a decadeslong lull in launching new weedkillers. Syngenta, owned by China National Chemical Co., said the weedkiller will launch in June in Argentina, the world’s third-largest soybean producer, after recently being approved for use there. The company aims to obtain approvals in Brazil and Australia next, while the U.S. is expected later because of its longer regulatory process, Syngenta said. [link]

U.S. sheep and lamb producers have a new opportunity to enhance the profitability and sustainability of their operations. The American Lamb Board has received a U.S. Department of Agriculture Advancing Markets for Producers grant to help producers improve efficiencies and increase productivity. The 150 producers accepted into the program will work with a Technical Assistance (TA) Provider to establish operational plans, implement recommended changes, and organize farm data to identify best management practices for productivity improvements by amplifying beneficial sheep practices, production data, and metrics specific to their operations and the region. Producers enrolled in the program will be paid up to $23,000 to develop and implement improved sheep and land stewardship management practices such as prescribed grazing, cover crop planting, range planting, tree or shrub enhancement, silvopasture, cross-fencing and brush and pest (weed) management, among others. [link]

The expansion of ethanol production from Brazil’s second-crop corn could play an important role in supporting the growth of the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market, while also limiting land-use changes and greenhouse gas emissions, a new study has found. The study was published in Agricultural Economics and was undertaken by Agroicone in partnership with Iowa State University, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay, and Indiana University Indianapolis. It explored how rising demand for corn ethanol in Brazil, which is partly being driven by demand for SAF, could impact agricultural markets, land use, and carbon emissions. [link]

Natural Grocers is introducing Natural Grocers Brand Regenerative Organic Certified Pasture-Raised Eggs, a new private-label offering that reflects the company’s longstanding commitment to supporting regenerative agriculture, humane animal care, and small family farmers. The new eggs are Regenerative Organic Certified, meeting industry-leading standards for soil health, animal welfare, and farmworker fairness. They are also Certified Humane Raised & Handled and come from pasture-raised hens that live outdoors and engage in natural behaviors, including foraging and roaming on open land. Since its launch in 2016, Natural Grocers Brand Products has grown to feature more than 900 high-quality products, available exclusively at Natural Grocers stores. Each product is developed to meet the company’s strict quality standards while remaining Always Affordable, reflecting its belief that access to high-quality, responsibly produced food should not be a luxury. [link]

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced an initial award of $32.8 million in grants under the new Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative (GRACI), supported by funding from McDonald’s USA, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and several key McDonald’s USA beef and beverage suppliers. Nearly $42 million in total conservation impact will be generated through this first round of awards from the Initiative, achieved by leveraging an additional $9.1 million in matching contributions from grantees. This initial investment will advance voluntary conservation practices benefiting both wildlife and ranchers across nearly 2.5 million acres of U.S. grasslands. Launched in 2025, this landmark seven-year initiative aims to invest more than $200 million to benefit America’s iconic grasslands, cattle ranching communities, and wildlife populations that depend on healthy soils, productive habitats, and plentiful water. The six grants announced to American Bird Conservancy (ABC), American Farmland Trust, Mule Deer Foundation, National Audubon Society, Sand County Foundation, and University of Missouri are the first to be awarded through this historic investment. [link]

Sazerac recently approached Jack Daniel’s maker Brown-Forman about a potential deal, according to people familiar with the matter. Sazerac’s interest comes as Brown-Forman has been in deal talks with another competitor, French spirits-maker Pernod Ricard. Alcohol companies have been dealing with slowing sales as Americans drink less and choose alternatives such as cannabis and THC beverages. Many see dealmaking as a path to boost growth or pare expenses. [link]

The PepsiCo Foundation will carry out the second edition of VivaOliva, its program promoting the use of regenerative agriculture in olive cultivation in Jaén, Spain. The initiative also promotes economic inclusion, supports generational renewal in the countryside, and encourages the professionalization of the sector through sustainable farming practices. VivaOliva combines practical training and hands-on support in regenerative agriculture techniques applied to olive groves, aiming to improve soil health, optimize water use and conservation, and contribute to environmental protection. In collaboration with Earthworm Foundation, The Sustainable Smallholder, and The Regen Academy, the PepsiCo Foundation will organize three field-based thematic sessions in Jaén—in March, May, and September—where farmers will learn and experience these practices firsthand. Additionally, the program includes eight workshops and personalized technical advice to facilitate the adoption of more sustainable farming models. [link]

A new urban farm has successfully taken root at Marsh Creek Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, marking a major milestone in a dynamic partnership with Raleigh City Farm. The transformation of 1.5 acres at Marsh Creek Park features a central growing space and teaching garden, building upon the park’s existing raised beds, pollinator gardens, and edible landscaping. Additional enhancements will include an outdoor prep and teaching area, supporting a wide range of educational and community programs. Raleigh City Farm, a nonprofit urban farm founded in 2011 in downtown Raleigh, has brought its expertise and mission to “connect and nourish the community through regenerative agriculture” to this new site. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to addressing food insecurity, strengthening local food systems, and creating hands-on learning opportunities in Raleigh’s public spaces. [link]

In Case You Missed It…

In late February, the retailer Target said it will only carry cereals made without certified synthetic colors at its stores, citing sales data and customer research showing a shift toward foods made without artificial additives. See more, here.

April 4, 2026

Spotlight Stories

Spotlight 1 – Edie looks deep inside a German farm’s transition to regenerative agriculture. Ready the story, here.

Spotlight 2 – Mother Jones says that high-tech experiments reveal we have been farming all wrong. Check it out, here.

Spotlight 3 – Natural England discusses the UK’s new agroforestry principles. Take a read, here.

Industry Updates

Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, delivered a keynote address at the opening of the ChangeNOW Summit in Paris, calling for stronger global cooperation and the integration of nature at the heart of economic and political decision-making. Speaking to an audience of global leaders from business, finance, science, and civil society, she emphasized the urgency of addressing interconnected environmental crises, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation, as these challenges continue to accelerate amid global uncertainty and geopolitical challenges. Representing more than 1,400 Member organizations and over 18,000 experts, IUCN continues to play a leading role in translating science into practical conservation action worldwide. [link]

Nestlé and the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) have partnered to establish the World Food Academy 4 Sustainable Food Systems, a global initiative to strengthen education, career development and knowledge exchange across the food sector. The academy will support university students, early career researchers and young professionals working in food and nutrition research and production, particularly those from priority regions in the Global South. A core element of the initiative will be Nestlé’s Science & Technology Seminars, which will now be delivered through the academy and cover topics including agricultural science, food science and technology and nutritional science, alongside technical expertise related to affordable and sustainable food production. UNU-INWEH will contribute expertise in research, capacity building, policy engagement and knowledge dissemination to strengthen the program. [link]

A new report by leading online loan marketplace, LendingTree, reveals that nearly half of Americans now find putting food on the table a major financial strain, with 49 percent saying affording groceries is a real challenge. Based on an online survey of 2,000 US consumers ages 18 to 80, the questionnaire shows that over the past month, six out of 10 people have worried about paying for groceries. Gen Zers aged 18 to 29 and low-income households earning under $30,000 are feeling it the most. Among low-income households, 22 percent report increasing difficulty affording groceries, compared to 19 percent of Gen Z, 18 percent of millennials, and 17 percent of parents with young children. Only five percent of baby boomers (ages 62 to 80) say it is very difficult to pay for food. [link]

Bramble Run is partnering with Lucerne Capital Management to raise its first US farmland investment fund, targeting a raise of $500 million for an estimated project pipeline worth $5 billion. While the entire country is in play, the largest swath of that pipeline lies in California’s Central Valley due to its ability to produce a diverse set of crops thanks to its Mediterranean climate. Through partnerships with agricultural management firms like Agriglobe, Bramble Run’s unique structure allows farmers to maintain full equity in their operating companies. Once Bramble Run obtains the land in its pipeline, it will all transition with the goal of becoming Regenerative Organic Certified. [link]

The market for carbon credits generated by sustainable agriculture projects has been boosted by a flurry of recent corporate deals, pilot projects and approvals by standards bodies, ratcheting up the likelihood that market-based mechanisms will play a significant role in decarbonizing food systems. The moves come on two fronts, with project developers working with farmers to issue millions of new credits into the voluntary carbon market and food companies investing in credit-based schemes that count against supply chain emissions. The credibility of farmland credits was enhanced last October when the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM), an influential standard-setter, rubber-stamped two key methodologies that govern how farmers generate credits, including through reduced tillage and fertilizer use. The decision is expected to strengthen demand for the credits, which has risen steadily this decade. [link]

New nutrition guidance from the American Heart Association advises getting protein from plants rather than meat, choosing low-fat or fat-free dairy and using olive, soybean and canola oils instead of beef tallow and butter. The recommendations contrast with dietary guidelines that the Trump administration introduced earlier this year, which prioritize the consumption of red meat, dairy, and beef tallow. The AHA counts 30,000 scientific, medical and healthcare professionals among its more than 35 million volunteers and supporters. Long an authoritative source of health recommendations, the group releases dietary guidance about every five years to promote cardiovascular health. [link]

Unilever agreed to combine its food business with McCormick in a deal that creates a new sauces-to-spices behemoth valued at more than $65 billion, including debt. Under the terms of the deal, Unilever and its shareholders are expected to own about 65% of the new, combined foods business. Unilever will also receive a one-time $15.7 billion cash payment. The combined company will have annual revenue of about $20 billion. It will house Unilever’s brands, including Hellmann’s mayonnaise and Knorr soup mixes, alongside McCormick’s red-capped bottled spices and French’s yellow mustard. [link]

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Farm to Family Program is announcing its next grant opportunity, which will focus on expanding market opportunities for farmers using regenerative agriculture practices. Selected recipients will receive funding for purchases that may include on-farm point-of-sale equipment, marketing materials, light processing equipment and washing and packing infrastructure. This is Farm to Family’s third grant opportunity since the program launched 18 months ago thanks to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s leadership and bipartisan support in the legislature. Applicants for this funding opportunity must be farmers in Michigan who can describe how they apply regenerative principles to their operation. Grant awards will be capped at $50,000. [link]

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced new actions aimed at boosting the supply of American born, raised, and harvested beef. Both agencies said they have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will strengthen coordination, cut bureaucratic red tape, and deliver immediate, tangible support for America’s farmers and ranchers who rely on public lands. Specifically, the MOU aims to reduce delays for grazing permits, strengthen educational partnerships, enhance transparency and data access, encourage the adoption of innovative technologies like virtual fencing, and bolster wildfire response and recovery. [link]

Producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant 95.3 million acres of corn in 2026, down 3% from last year, according to the Prospective Plantings report released by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Soybean growers intend to plant 84.7 million acres in 2026, up 4% from last year. The Prospective Plantings report provides the first official, survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ 2026 planting intentions. NASS acreage estimates are based on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March from a sample of nearly 74,000 farm operators across the nation. [link]

Research at the University of Minnesota is finding farmers implementing soil health principles can start spring field management sooner than their conventional counterparts. Extension soil health specialist Anna Cates says practices like reduced tillage create better physical structure for soil to manage water. She says while some tillage can lead to earlier fieldwork during years with average soil conditions, those fields can’t handle extreme weather. Cates says because farmers had more control over the timing of field work, they also reported the change improved their quality of life, lowered stress and financial worry, and created more time with family. [link]

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that more than $25 million is being awarded to 133 farms in 23 counties across the state through the Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) Grant Program. Funded projects help New York’s farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect water quality, protect and enhance soil health and increase on-farm resiliency to the effects of a changing climate. Grants support on-farm implementation of conservation practices such as manure and methane management, nutrient management, water management, soil health management including cover cropping, reduced tillage, afforestation and building pollinator habitat. [link]

In Case You Missed It…

In early March, the European Union agreed to ban 31 meat-like names from being used on plant-based product labels, exempting more common terms like ‘veggie burger.’ See more, here.