Key Takeaways:
- McDonald’s USA has announced the Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative, its largest investment in regenerative agriculture to date.
- The program will allocate more than $200 million over seven years to promote grazing practices, habitat restoration, and water conservation.
- The initiative covers up to 4 million acres across 38 U.S. states, with participation from ranchers in McDonald’s beef supply chain.
- Funding partners include McDonald’s suppliers Cargill, Golden State Foods, Lopez Foods, OSI, and The Coca-Cola Company.
- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) will manage competitive grants, with the first awards expected in January 2026.
McDonald’s USA and Its Commitment to Beef Sourcing
Beef has been central to McDonald’s USA since the company opened its first restaurant 70 years ago. The company has now announced the Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative, which it describes as a step in advancing responsible beef sourcing and supporting natural resource stewardship.
The initiative is being launched in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and several U.S. suppliers.
Scope and Investment
McDonald’s USA and its partners will contribute more than $200 million over seven years. The funding will target regenerative grazing practices, water and wildlife conservation, and habitat restoration across cattle ranches spanning 4 million acres in as many as 38 states.
Participating ranchers will have access to tools and resources designed to improve soil health, conserve water, and enhance wildlife habitats. McDonald’s USA also noted that the program is expected to strengthen supply chain resilience and provide economic incentives for ranchers.
Role of Suppliers and Partners
Several McDonald’s suppliers, including Cargill, Golden State Foods, Lopez Foods, OSI, and The Coca-Cola Company, will provide funding alongside McDonald’s USA. NFWF will distribute the funds through competitive grants to organizations that will help ranchers adopt conservation practices.
“As a brand that serves more than 90% of Americans every year, we recognize the responsibility we have to help safeguard our food systems for long-term vitality,” said Cesar Piña, Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, North America. “Through our support of this initiative, McDonald’s USA is demonstrating the power of partnership between the public and private sectors and that feeding the population and stewarding our natural resources can coexist.”
Conservation and Ranch-Level Practices
NFWF’s Executive Director and CEO Jeff Trandahl highlighted the potential for conservation practices to benefit both the environment and ranching operations. According to NFWF, well-managed grasslands can retain more water, produce better forage, and support greater biodiversity.
The initiative will build on existing ranch-level practices, supporting infrastructure improvements such as fencing and water systems, while encouraging regenerative grazing strategies.
Monitoring and Next Steps For McDonald’s USA
Independent monitoring of soil health and conservation outcomes will be carried out by Kateri and Carbon Yield on behalf of McDonald’s USA. NFWF expects to announce the first round of grant awards in January 2026.
Through this collaboration, McDonald’s USA, NFWF, federal agencies, and private suppliers aim to enhance the ecological and economic resilience of U.S. cattle ranches while supporting the company’s beef supply chain.
