Sustainable Agriculture

Cargill RegenConnect® Reaches Milestone of Over One Million Enrolled Acres for 2025

Cargill RegenConnect® has surpassed one million enrolled acres for the 2025 planting season in the U.S. marking a milestone for the company.
Image provided by Cargill.

Key Takeaways

  • Cargill RegenConnect® has surpassed one million enrolled acres for the 2025 planting season in the U.S., marking a significant milestone in promoting regenerative agriculture.
  • Since its 2021 launch, the program has supported nearly 1,500 farmers with agronomist guidance, flexible contracts, and payments for sequestered carbon.
  • Cargill RegenConnect’s success highlights increasing farmer participation in regenerative practices such as cover cropping, low till, and no-till.
  • Cargill has expanded its regenerative agriculture programs to 24 U.S. states and 15 countries worldwide, with region-specific initiatives.

Cargill RegenConnect’s Growth in the U.S.

Cargill RegenConnect® has achieved a notable milestone, enrolling over one million acres for the 2025 planting season. This expansion aligns with Cargill’s commitment to help farmers adopt regenerative practices to improve soil health and enhance sustainability in food production. Since its inception in 2021, the program has aimed to make regenerative agriculture accessible and beneficial for farmers, offering technical support, financial incentives, and flexibility in practice selection.

“This milestone is not just a number; it reflects the growing movement of farmers who are integrating regenerative practices to help improve their soil health and resiliency,” said Brooke Hokana Hansen, Sustainability Director for Cargill’s North American Agriculture & Trading business. “Most farmers that enroll in Cargill RegenConnect return year after year, and more than 40 percent of those returning growers added new acres for 2025.”

Supporting Regenerative Practices and Soil Health

Through Cargill RegenConnect, farmers have access to one-year contracts, agronomic support, and payments for carbon sequestration. The program enables farmers to select regenerative practices, such as cover cropping, no-till, and low till, to best fit their operational needs. These practices have shown benefits in improving soil health, retaining water, sequestering carbon, and supporting biodiversity.

Cargill’s support for farmers extends beyond the U.S. through its global programs in regions including Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Europe. Across these areas, Cargill has introduced programs that address specific regional needs, from agroforestry to cattle grazing management, along with farmer training and research initiatives.

A Global Vision for Regenerative Agriculture

Cargill’s goal is to make regenerative agriculture common across its global supply chains. By tailoring solutions to local conditions, Cargill aims to facilitate the successful adoption of these practices globally. “Every farm faces its own set of unique operating conditions, and successful adoption requires localized solutions,” said Hansen. “Farmers, policymakers, and food companies must work together to scale these practices and support a more resilient, secure food system.”


Cargill Latest News

Launch NutriHarvest Project to Combat Global Malnutrition and Improve Farmer Livelihoods (2024/09/20)

HarvestPlus and Cargill have launched the NutriHarvest Project, a 36-month initiative aimed at addressing global malnutrition and improving farmer livelihoods. The project, supported by a $3 million investment from Cargill and executed by HarvestPlus, will support over 119,000 farmers across India, Kenya, Tanzania, and Guatemala, delivering over 17 million nutritious meals to vulnerable communities. The project focuses on promoting the production and consumption of nutrient-dense foods, including biofortified staple crops, opportunity crops with unrealized potential, and animal-sourced foods. The project will leverage Cargill’s and HarvestPlus’s expertise to boost nutrition while building more resilient food systems. Key initiatives include the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) initiative, which will support the cultivation of opportunity crops, home-grown school feeding programs, and the Hatching Hope Initiative in India. The initiative aims to make nutritious food more accessible and affordable, driving a broader transformation in the global food system.

Expand Partnership With Global Water Challenge (2024/08/30)

Cargill and Global Water Challenge have announced the expansion of their Cargill Currents partnership platform, which aims to address water-related challenges across five continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. The initiative focuses on improving community health, promoting watershed health, and advancing water security worldwide. The second phase of the Cargill Currents partnership will build on its initial achievements, focusing on increasing access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), building climate change resilience, improving farmer livelihoods, and empowering women. The partnership aligns with Cargill’s goal of enabling a water-positive impact across its operations, supply chains, and communities by 2030, with an emphasis on improving access to safe drinking water. Since its launch in 2021, Cargill Currents has positively impacted over 135,000 people with improved WASH access across 68 communities in Brazil, Cameroon, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.

Cargill & Goanna Ag Launch Pilot Project to Enhance Irrigation Efficiency (2024/08/15)

Cargill and Australian company Goanna Ag are partnering to launch a pilot project that focuses on improving irrigation efficiency on cotton fields in the Mississippi Delta. By using Goanna Ag’s GoField® technology, farmers in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi aim to optimize water use, increase crop yields, and contribute to water conservation efforts. This initiative aligns with Cargill’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and water conservation.

Cargill Grants $1M to Colorado State University’s AgNext (2024/07/17)

Cargill has awarded a $1 million grant to Colorado State University (CSU) to support its AgNext research program, aiming to promote sustainable animal agriculture practices and mitigate the environmental impact of the beef industry. The grant focuses on addressing enteric methane emissions from feedlot cattle, which are naturally produced during digestion. AgNext will conduct experiments at CSU’s Climate Smart Research Facility over two years to investigate the effects of different ingredients and additives in cattle diets on methane emissions in beef steers fed typical finishing rations. Cargill’s commitment to sustainability in the beef industry is emphasized.

Innovative Collaboration Aims to Enhance Sustainability and Crop Performance in the Upper Midwest (2024/07/11)

Cargill is partnering with the Forever Green Initiative at the University of Minnesota to advance research and development of winter camelina and domesticated pennycress. This collaboration focuses on creating high-performing seed varieties and farming techniques tailored to the unique growing conditions of the Upper Midwest. Leveraging expertise in crop improvement, Cargill aims to accelerate the development and commercial release of improved camelina and pennycress varieties. These crops offer sustainable benefits such as soil cover, addressing sustainability challenges, and providing a revenue opportunity through the cultivation of winter camelina and pennycress as cash crops.

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Cargill has received three Edison Awards for its innovative achievements in Smart Transportation, Health & Beauty Care Solutions, and Social & Cultural Impact through Environmental Solutions. These accolades affirm the company’s commitment to delivering bold innovations in food and agriculture. The award-winning innovations include WindWings® for maritime fuel efficiency, the 1000 Farmers Endless Prosperity initiative, and BotaniDesign™ 105, a plant-based alternative to petroleum jelly. The prestigious Edison Awards recognize innovative products and business leaders, and Cargill’s focus on integrating technology with its industry expertise is addressing critical challenges in sustainability and efficiency. For more information about the Edison Awards and the complete list of winners, you can visit their website/

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Nestlé Purina and Cargill are collaborating to implement regenerative agriculture across their corn and soy supply chains in North America. This effort aims to transform over 200,000 acres of Midwest farmland, potentially reducing the carbon footprint of Purina’s grain supply by up to 40% over the next three years. The partnership emphasizes several regenerative agriculture practices designed to enhance soil health and reduce environmental impact. Cargill supports regenerative agriculture through various programs, including Cargill RegenConnect®, which offers resources and tools for farmers to adopt sustainable practices.

Launches Power Canola™ Program to Boost Canadian Bioenergy Feedstock Market (2024/03/13)

Cargill has introduced the Power Canola™ program to connect Canadian canola growers with renewable fuel feedstock markets, especially bioenergy. The program aligns with global energy transition goals and supports sustainable agricultural practices. Canola growers can participate through the streamlined enrollment process on the CargillAg.ca portal. The program maximizes the market value of canola crops by ensuring traceability and compliance with sustainability standards. The initiative strengthens Canada’s canola industry and reinforces Cargill’s commitment to oilseed processing leadership.

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Cargill has launched SustainConnect™ to encourage sustainable agriculture practices among Australian canola farmers. The program incentivizes growers by offering financial rewards for adopting sustainable practices, such as nutrient management, reduced tillage, and crop residue retention. The program is currently available in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria and will soon expand to Western Australia, with potential future expansion to include other grains like barley. The program is part of Cargill’s global strategy to integrate sustainable farming practices and addresses the increasing demand for sustainable canola from both domestic and international customers.

Cargill’s Accelerated Commitment to Sustainability (2023/11/28)

Cargill aims to eliminate deforestation and land conversion in its supply chain for key row crops in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay by 2025. The company collaborates with farmers, governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to balance economic development with environmental conservation. Cargill is partnering with the World Resources Institute (WRI) to improve traceability for monitoring and verifying natural ecosystems and farm areas. The company’s strategy focuses on supporting farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.

Cargill 2023 ESG Report: Progress in Climate Action & Community Support (2023/11/08)

Cargill’s Fiscal Year 2023 ESG report highlights the company’s commitment to sustainability, showcasing its investment of $78 million in efficiency and sustainability projects, reduction of emissions by 10.97%, advances in regenerative agriculture practices, restoration of over 9 billion liters of water, and distribution of over $115 million to partners and local communities. The report underlines Cargill’s values of putting people first, doing the right thing, and reaching higher.

SHI and Cargill Join Forces (2023/09/15)

Cargill and the Soil Health Institute have joined forces for a three-year, $3m project promoting water stewardship in agricultural supply chains, to encourage regenerative agricultural practices. The partnership aims to bolster drought resilience, rejuvenate soil health and foster sustainable water use, offering innovative tools to farmers and conservation planners across North America. The collaboration will provide farmers with data to quantify their soil’s potential water retention capabilities during cultivation seasons, while Cargill’s commitment is palpable to spread regenerative agriculture over 10 million acres in North America by 2030.

Expands Regenerative Agriculture Program to Europe (2023/05/24)

Cargill RegenConnect™ is expanding its reach from 15 to 24 states across the U.S, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Colorado, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas. The initiative encourages sustainable practices in farming and offers higher payments, coverage for more commodities, and improved enrollment access via mobile devices. The program offers a market-based approach to regenerative agriculture, assisting farmers in improving soil health and reducing carbon emissions. It also presents an environmental market opportunity for participants, connecting them with major global companies aiming to promote sustainable practices.

Cargill Wins Four Prestigious 2023 Edison Awards™ (2023/04/24)

Cargill recently received several prestigious Edison Awards for its innovative solutions in addressing global issues such as supply chain continuity, climate action, nutrition, and food security. These solutions include a financial incentive program for regenerative agriculture practices, an AI-powered analysis tool for poultry health, a revolutionary soluble rice flour, and a sweetening system that reduces sugar content in foods and beverages. Florian Schattenmann, Cargill’s Chief Technology Officer, expressed his excitement and commitment to continue investing in innovation and people to drive further change.

Image provided by Cargill

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