Strategic collaboration will advance regenerative practices across 240,000 acres in Iowa by 2030, targeting the companies’ shared corn supply chain.
PepsiCo and Cargill aim to support farmers with technical guidance, incentive payments, and science-based outcomes, led by nonprofit Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI).
The initiative contributes to both companies’ broader goals to scale regenerative agriculture across 10 million acres of farmland in North America and globally by 2030.
PepsiCo and Cargill have announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate regenerative agriculture practices across 240,000 acres of Iowa farmland by 2030, focusing on their shared corn supply chain.
“This partnership is about delivering practical, measurable results – starting on the farm, where the food system begins,” said Pilar Cruz, Chief Sustainability Officer at Cargill. “By coming together across the value chain, we can help create the conditions for regenerative agriculture to take root and grow.”
Cargill sources corn from Iowa farmers to produce ingredients used in PepsiCo’s iconic food and beverage products. With Iowa contributing over 15% of the nation’s corn supply, the region plays a pivotal role in the U.S. agricultural landscape. Through this initiative, both companies aim to deepen supply chain resilience and support local farming communities in adopting sustainable practices.
The effort will be locally implemented by Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI), a nonprofit with strong ties to Midwest agriculture. PFI will manage farmer enrollment and lead implementation, offering tailored agronomic guidance, financial incentives, and access to technical support. PFI will also oversee measurement, reporting, and verification to ensure outcomes are science-based and credible.
“This collaboration among PepsiCo, Cargill, and Practical Farmers of Iowa creates shared value and long-term sustainability that we believe will strengthen our business today and in the future,” said Jim Andrew, PepsiCo’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “By working with farmers to understand what’s best for their farms… we can accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices that can result in healthier soil, reduced emissions, and improved crop yields and livelihoods for farmers.”
The initiative also supports PepsiCo’s goal to drive regenerative, restorative, or protective practices across 10 million acres globally by 2030, and Cargill’s goal to advance regenerative agriculture across 10 million acres of North American farmland within the same timeframe.
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Farmers participating in the program will benefit from lower adoption risks through incentive payments and tailored support, while gaining access to sustainability-focused supply chains. The practices promoted are expected to improve soil health, build climate resilience, and enhance long-term productivity, contributing to a more sustainable global food system.
This program builds on years of successful collaboration among PepsiCo, Cargill, and PFI and marks a significant step toward scaling regenerative agriculture to drive environmental and business value alike.
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