The following case study is one of 20 that illustrate the Food Systems Call to Action in motion. Each story demonstrates innovative solutions and collaborative efforts across sectors, geographies, and communities, highlighting how food systems are being transformed.

Context: Accelerating the adoption of regenerative practices is essential for improving soil health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and building climate resilience, while ensuring long-term sustainability for large-scale farming operations across critical agricultural regions like the U.S. Midwest.

Partners: Midwest Row Crop Collaborative (MRCC) members include PepsiCo, American Farmland Trust, Unilever, Environmental Defense Fund, Nutrien Ag Solutions, The Nature Conservancy, Bayer, World Wildlife Fund, Kellanova, and Walmart. Partners include Practical Farmers of Iowa, Precision Conservation Management, Sustainable Food Lab, Trust In Food™, and HSBC.
Duration: 2020-2030
Location: Midwest and Mississippi River Basin, USA.

Impact achieved:

• Engaged 2,650 farmers.

• Supported the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices on 723,356 acres.

• Improved soil health, water quality, and climate resilience across large-scale farms.

• Increased positive farmer sentiment toward conservation agriculture in Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska.

Description:
The Midwest Row Crop Collaborative (MRCC) focuses on promoting regenerative agriculture practices to improve soil health, water quality, and climate resilience while supporting farmer livelihoods across the Midwest and Mississippi River Basin. The initiative involves various programs and partnerships, including the Iowa and Eastern Nebraska Regenerative Agriculture Cover Crop Program, which offers incentives to farmers for adopting cover crops and other regenerative practices. PepsiCo, Cargill, Unilever, and Practical Farmers of Iowa provide financial and technical support to farmers, aiming to improve agricultural sustainability through reduced tillage, advanced nutrient management, and diverse crop rotations. MRCC members are focused on expanding regenerative agricultural solutions that achieve multiple benefits including reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, and they are diving into learning about opportunities for new markets for emerging and traditional crops. Additionally, a MRCC-led case study on data-driven engagement strategies to accelerate acceptance of regenerative agriculture practices was the launchpad for a new platform available to the full value chain when designing producer-facing engagement.

More info here and here.

he Food Systems Call to Action is a global initiative that urges non-state actors and governments to take immediate steps to transform food systems by 2030. It highlights the urgent need for resilient, sustainable, and equitable approaches that support food security, protect nature, and address climate change. Through targeted actions and principles, the Call to Action emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity—ensuring that farmers, frontline workers, Indigenous communities, and other key players are at the forefront of decision-making and implementation.