How regenerative agriculture can help farms and the planet thrive

Take a stroll through a farm using regenerative practices and the hum of life is unmistakable. You might see birds flitting through trees planted as natural borders — offering a blend of privacy, wind protection and habitat for wildlife — or bees weaving through cover crops in bloom. Lush growth surrounds you, the air smells fresh and earthy, and the soil underfoot is dark, crumbly and alive with rich organic matter and tiny organisms quietly restoring balance.

“Every farm is going to look a little different because each one faces unique risks,” explains Margaret Henry, Vice President of Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture at PepsiCo. “But regenerative agriculture means you’re using the natural ecosystem to make the land better. At its heart, it’s about helping farmers thrive so they can keep on farming.”

Unlike some conventional operations, where fields may lie bare between harvests, and pests and weeds are tackled with chemicals, a more regenerative farm leans into nature. Good bugs fend off the bad ones, roots hold the soil in place and biodiversity takes the lead. It’s a healthy cycle of renewal rather than depletion.

In the face of climate challenges, PepsiCo sees regenerative agriculture as both a business imperative and a powerful tool to promote healthier soil, reduce agricultural emissions, enhance biodiversity and watershed health, and help raise the standard of living for farmers and farming communities. “The future of farming is the future of food,” Margaret says. “And if PepsiCo is going to be successful, we need the farms we rely on to be successful and resilient.” Our goal is to expand the adoption of regenerative agriculture, restorative, or protective practices across 10 million acres by 2030, helping ensure that the future of farming is as sustainable and resilient as possible.

The power of healthy soil

Working to help improve ecosystems and communities through regenerative agriculture comes naturally to Margaret. Long before “sustainability” became a buzzword, her parents were living it on their Kentucky dairy farm. They were mindful of the creek where their kids played, thoughtful about energy use and respectful of the soil that sustained them. “Soil is everything,” Margaret emphasizes. And regenerative agriculture treats it like the living, breathing ecosystem it is.

That care starts between harvests. Cover crops — plants grown in the off-season — are a cornerstone of regenerative farming in many climates. Their roots hold soil in place during rain and windstorms, reducing erosion and helping the ground store water more effectively. These same roots also pull carbon from the air and capture it in the soil, offering a natural tool in the fight against climate change. “Cover crops are a win-win-win,” Margaret says. “You take carbon out of the atmosphere, reduce the need for additional inputs and create better growing conditions for the next crop.”

Another key practice is no-till farming, which avoids plowing the soil between planting seasons. This helps keep carbon stored underground, protects the delicate web of organisms that make soil fertile and reduces erosion caused by wind and rain. The result is stronger, healthier soil that’s better equipped to handle extreme weather and grow resilient crops year after year. “No-till isn’t right for every field, but in many places, it makes a big difference,” Margaret says. “In windy regions like North Dakota, it helps keep precious soil in place. Otherwise, it’s like watching your dollar bills blow away.”

Local roots, global reach

PepsiCo’s regenerative agriculture efforts span the globe, totaling 3.5 million acres of regenerative agriculture, restorative, or protective practices as of 2024, from oats in Iowa to canola wheat in Australia to potatoes in Vietnam. But success starts with listening to farmers and meeting them where they are.

“What works in California won’t necessarily work in South Africa,” Margaret explains. That’s why PepsiCo partners with local farmer-led or farmer-supported groups who understand the risks and offer real-time advice. “It’s not about parachuting in with a plan. It’s about working with people who live the realities of farming every day, year in and year out.”

In some regions, PepsiCo is helping farmers trial green fertilizers that reduce emissions without requiring a shift in practice. In others, it's facilitating research on which cover crops or irrigation systems work best in local conditions. Whether PepsiCo’s supporting biodiversity projects in New Zealand or backing farmer-designed experiments in Latin America, the company’s approach is inclusive and ever-evolving.

PepsiCo also invites competitors to collaborate pre-competitively through shared agronomy networks. “You can’t regenerate just one field,” Margaret says. “You need the whole landscape to change, and everyone has to be part of the solution. Farmers, governments, banks, nonprofits, food companies, the town downstream that depends on clean water — everyone has a role to play.”

Letting nature lead

PepsiCo’s regenerative agriculture ambitions go beyond sustainability. It’s about rebuilding what’s been depleted and helping create lasting value for farmers, communities and the planet. And it’s a smarter, more resilient way to help restore ecosystems, strengthen food systems and support the people who grow our food.

“Regenerative agriculture is about actively making things better,” Margaret says. “And nature is ready to work for us — if we just let it.”

To learn more about PepsiCo’s Positive Agriculture goals as part of our pep+ ambition, visit our website.