Hormel Foods Introduces Regenerative Farming To Farmers

Regenerative farming methods pave a new way for farmers to attain sustainability.

FREMONT, CA: "Regenerative agriculture requires an essential mental shift from the way we currently think about farming – it's not the cow, it's the how," said Gina Asoudegan, who leads the mission and regenerative agriculture initiatives at Applegate and is also a member of Land to Market's Regenerative Leadership Council.  

The Fortune 500 global branded food company Hormel Foods Corporation and its subsidiary Applegate Farms LLC are paving the way for farmers who use renewable farming techniques. Regenerative agriculture is a comprehensive method of farming that promotes innovative thinking and soil amendments using procedures like minimum level or no soil ploughing, frequently mixed cropping, and encompass cropping.

"As we face the daunting challenges of feeding a growing global population while protecting the planet, we believe advancing regenerative agriculture practices is a smart and responsible choice," said Mark Coffey, group vice president of supply chain at Hormel Foods.

A sustainable agriculture pilot scheme that will span up to 50,000 acres in central and southeast Minnesota just gained the support of Hormel Foods as a key sponsor. Farmers will be given economic incentives to join the project and implement sustainable farming techniques thanks to aiding from Hormel Foods and other participants. The Hormel Foods 20 By 30 Challenge, a list of 20 ambitious environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives the firm hopes to accomplish by 2030, includes advancing regenerative agriculture. It is challenging to maintain the company's longstanding ESG leadership while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The nation's top natural and organic beef brand, Applegate, transfers its experience to Hormel Foods, the parent business. In 2018, Applegate started their journey towards regenerative agriculture by joining The Savory Institute's Land to Market program as a Frontier Founder. This initiative is the first outcomes-based regenerative sourcing solution in the world. The Savory Institute is a leader in holistic land management to regenerate grasslands worldwide.