RTI International hosted a breakout session on Mar. 26 at GreenBiz 26, focusing on the role of sustainability in reimagining the global agricultural system and addressing challenges faced by American farmers. The panel included an Iowa corn and soybean farmer as well as sustainability leaders from ADM, PepsiCo, AgSpire, and RTI.
The discussion centered on how high production costs, low commodity prices, uncertain trade dynamics, and variable weather are making it difficult for American farmers to remain profitable. Panelists said that sustainability could help address these issues if investments are shared across the supply chain rather than falling solely on farmers.
One key message from the session was that investing in sustainable agriculture is becoming essential for companies seeking to secure their raw material needs. Companies like ADM and PepsiCo have begun supporting regenerative practices within their supply chains—PepsiCo through partnerships with Ethiopian smallholder farmers since 2023 to introduce climate-smart potato seeds, and ADM by transitioning over five million acres of farmland to regenerative practices. However, these opportunities are currently limited to certain crops or regions.
April Hemmes, an Iowa farmer participating in the panel, said: “If you want farmers to do something aligned to corporate sustainability goals, you have to pay them.” The panel agreed that switching to sustainable practices can be expensive for farmers and called for clear incentives and payments from companies.
Panelists also discussed the importance of engaging directly with farmers as a way of building trust with consumers while increasing transparency throughout supply chains. For example, ADM holds brand loyalty events for growers so they can learn where their products go after leaving the farm.
The session highlighted that food manufacturers such as PepsiCo and aggregators like ADM are leading efforts toward more sustainable supply chains but noted greater participation is needed from retailers such as grocery stores. Recent initiatives by Amazon Grocery and Whole Foods were mentioned as steps toward aligning suppliers around shared regenerative agriculture goals.
Strategic partnerships were identified as crucial for multiplying impact; organizations like RTI International and AgSpire offer technical expertise and networks that help both farms adopt new practices efficiently. The event concluded with a call for companies across all parts of the supply chain to collaborate further if they hope to achieve meaningful progress.
