PepsiCo, Unilever, and partners launch STEP up for Agriculture, a first-of-its-kind collaboration to strengthen farmer support organizations and accelerate regenerative farming adoption across North America and Europe.
The Supporting Trusted Engagement and Partnership (STEP) up for Agriculture initiative brings together major retail, food, and beverage companies with nonprofits and farmer-led groups to expand locally tailored support systems for regenerative agriculture. The goal is to improve soil health, reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity, and create more resilient supply chains.
For PepsiCo, the program supports its commitment to transition 10 million acres to regenerative practices by 2030. “STEP up for Ag is about investing in the organizations that support farmers every day, aiming to ensure they can grow, innovate and lead the transition to more sustainable agriculture,” said Jim Andrews, Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo, in the company’s September 2025 announcement.
Unilever has pledged to roll out regenerative agriculture principles across 1 million hectares globally by 2030. “STEP up for Ag can help us move faster and smarter, empowering farmer-led groups with the tools they need and opening doors to more great suppliers,” said Kristina Friedman, Head of Sustainability for Unilever North America.
Regenerative agriculture adoption depends on trusted relationships and practical support. The initiative will:
Chris Beaudry, a fourth-generation farmer in Saskatchewan and member of the South East Research Farm, emphasized the value of corporate programs: “When you, as a farmer, start looking at your soil having an interdependent relationship with you, then you can start making decisions that benefit you, benefit the crop and benefit us as humans as well.”
In parallel with STEP up for Ag, PepsiCo has partnered with the National Geographic Society to launch Food for Tomorrow, a global initiative that merges scientific research with storytelling to accelerate regenerative farming practices. With projections showing the world must feed 10 billion people by 2050 and UNESCO estimating that 90% of soils could face degradation by mid-century, the collaboration underscores the urgency of systems-level change.
“Food for Tomorrow combines PepsiCo's deep food system expertise with National Geographic's power to advance science and inspire action,” said Ramon Laguarta, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo. “Together, we're aiming to support farmers, protect the planet, and help build a stronger, more resilient future for all.”
Back under the STEP up for Ag umbrella, initial partners include Practical Farmers of Iowa, South East Research Farm in Canada, and Indiana-based FarmAdvisor. These groups provide farmer-to-farmer mentorship, technical assistance, and local expertise. “Having all these major names invest in our capacity came at a pivotal moment,” said Sarah Carlson, Senior Programs and Member Engagement Director at Practical Farmers of Iowa.
STEP up for Ag is also expanding globally. Its first European pilot will launch in Spain with the cooperative Garlan, supported by the Earthworm Foundation. “This pilot in Spain is about empowering Garlan with the tools and methodologies needed to succeed in supporting their farmers in the transition,” said Bastien Sachet, CEO of Earthworm Foundation.
The dual-track initiatives reflect growing momentum around regenerative agriculture. A World Economic Forum report projected that scaling regenerative practices globally could unlock $1.4 trillion in new business opportunities by 2030. Meanwhile, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization stresses the role of regenerative methods in addressing biodiversity loss, food security, and climate change resilience.
Together, STEP up for Ag and Food for Tomorrow are designed to accelerate adoption at both the farm and systems level. Over the next two years, STEP up for Ag will host peer learning workshops and provide advisory resources, while Food for Tomorrow will expand storytelling, research, and data platforms to make regenerative agriculture visible and actionable.
