As an agricultural business major at West Virginia State University, Ryleigh Clayborn wanted to go beyond the classroom and gain some real-world experience in the industry. She found PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation’s Planting Pathways program, an effort to cultivate agricultural opportunities and address the needs of our evolving food system.
She spent her summer at our Corn Handling Facility in Sidney, IL, working alongside the plant manager learning how PepsiCo sources, handles, and manages the corn production operations for the food business. “It feels amazing to be part of something that literally provides a source of life for people every day,” Ryleigh says.
Initiatives like Planting Pathways are part of PepsiCo’s pep+ ambitions to drive meaningful change for both the people and the planet. Through partnerships with organizations like Practical Farmers of Iowa and Farm Foundation, the Planting Pathways program connects aspiring and beginning farmers with business training and mentorship opportunities. It also provides college students with scholarships, paid internships, and professional development to provide them with job opportunities.
In its first year, Planting Pathways helped over 100 aspiring agricultural professionals. Ryleigh says the opportunity opened her eyes to the many ways that she can make a measurable impact. “The agriculture industry is very hands on whenever it comes to its products and consumers,” Ryleigh says. “I really take pride in being part of that change and that development.”
Between PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation, we strategically combine resources from both the business and the Foundation, including financial support, product donations and in-kind contributions to uplift communities around the world. With the PepsiCo Foundation as the driving force of these social impact initiatives, we have been able to propel change at global scale.
Last year, the PepsiCo Foundation alone reached more than 3 million people with programs like Planting Pathways that focus on nutritious food, safe water, workforce development and farming. Here’s a deeper dive on how the Foundation is working around the world to empower communities to thrive.
Supporting the people who grow the crops we source for our products is fundamental to building a stronger and more sustainable food future.
We’re working to scale innovative, sustainable solutions tailored to local communities, ensuring greater access to affordable, nutritious food.
From improving local infrastructure to advancing water stewardship in high-risk watersheds, our efforts focus on delivering practical, lasting impact where it matters most.
We’re working to help the next generation of leaders gain the skills, confidence and support they need to thrive.
When it comes to making a difference, our people lead the way. Through our employee giving, volunteering and community engagement programs, we empower teams to become ambassadors of social impact.
