ADM to double its regenerative agriculture land in North America

20 Jul 2023 --- ADM will launch an expansion of its regenerative agriculture program, re:generations, aiming to cover 2 million acres in North America by the end of this year and 4 million acres by 2025.

The program, which enrolled more than one million acres in 2022, offers financial incentives and technical support to producers who adopt practices that improve soil health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance biodiversity. 

These practices include cover cropping, improved nutrient management and conservation tillage.

According to ADM, producers who enroll in the program can receive premium payments of up to US$25 an acre per year and, in some cases, additionally get an additional per bushel premium for grain delivered to ADM.

“Each producer has a unique set of needs and potential barriers – from time and resources to crop production and financial concerns,” Paul Scheetz, director of Climate Smart origination at ADM, tells Food Ingredients First.

“At ADM, we’re continually working to ensure ease of use and efficiency, from the first consultation and throughout the enrollment process in the re:generations program, as well as for data collection and prompt payments.”

ADM will also use funds from a grant from the USDA through which to direct more funding directly to producers.“We also provide both crucial financial and technical support to these producers.”

Reaching farmers with local support
The program is designed to be flexible and easy to use, with short-term agreements and customized and localized support.

“Through an individualized approach, each enrolled farmer can select the practices that make the most sense for them, as well as the length of the agreements. Further, we have technical assistance partners in various states, providing key local support,” Scheetz says.

“With a value chain that stretches from more than 200,000 producers to downstream customers spanning food, feed, fuel, industrial and consumer products, ADM has an unparalleled ability to scale regenerative agriculture practices around the globe.” 

ADM will also use funds from a grant from the US Department of Agriculture through which to direct more funding directly to producers. 

“We know producers have always been stewards of the land and that this is their lifeblood.”

“We are helping create new value for our producer customers while they reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase soil carbon sequestration, improve water quality and promote biodiversity.” 

Tracking environmental performance
To facilitate the enrollment process and data collection, ADM will continue to partner with Farmers Business Network. This digital farm-management tool allows producers to track their environmental performance and receive payments from ADM.

ADM will also work with technical assistance partners, such as American Farmland Trust, Ducks Unlimited, Kansas Association of Conservation Districts and Practical Farmers of Iowa, to provide guidance and education for successful practice implementation.To facilitate the enrollment process and data collection, ADM will continue to partner with Farmers Business Network.

“It’s producers on a local level that are making huge strides for the planet and our collective future – and they’re strengthening their own businesses at the same time,” notes Scheetz.

“We’re honored to support hard working farmers in implementing cover cropping, improved nutrient management, conservation tillage and more, all of which are important for supporting what’s best for the planet today and tomorrow.”

ADM said it will conduct in-person informational meetings across 18 states and three Canadian provinces in July and August, where producers can learn more about the program and how to enroll. 

The company highlights the timing “is ideal” for producers planning their cover crop strategy for the fall and planting decisions for the spring of 2024.

“Our work to rapidly scale up our regenerative agriculture efforts to 4 million acres by 2025 is one of the key ways in which we’re enabling our entire value chain to meet the demand for sustainably sourced products and helping to pave the way toward a more sustainable future,” adds Greg Morris, president of ADM Ag Services & Oilseeds business.

Edited by Marc Cervera