Kellanova and ADM Regenerative Agriculture Program Improves Soil Health on 120,000 Acres, Supports Farmers in Southeast United States
18 September 2025, Chicago: ADM (NYSE: ADM), a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, and Kellanova (NYSE: K), a leader in global snacking with brands including Pringles®, Cheez-It® and Pop-Tarts®, today celebrated the culmination of two years of successful collaboration supporting U.S. farmers and agricultural resilience, bringing together the companies’ shared commitment to the land, farmers and responsible stewardship.
The initiative, spanning the 2023 and 2024 crop years, focused on approximately 120,000 acres of cotton sourced from more than 180 farms across Alabama, Florida and Georgia. ADM and Kellanova engaged directly with farmers to incentivize regenerative agriculture practices, such as planting cover crops and reduced tillage, that protect and improve the natural resources that farmers and agriculture depend on – including soil, water and biodiversity.
Real impact by reducing emissions
Combined with the efficient use of fertilizer, fuel and crop inputs, growers in the program in 2024 reduced GHG emissions by an estimated 16,000 MT and models show 42,000 MT of carbon sequestered in the soil. That is equivalent to removing more than 13,000 gas-powered cars off the road for a year. Farmers also scored 85% on the program’s habitat potential index, demonstrating that farms almost maximized opportunities for biodiversity.
“Around the globe, our regenerative agriculture efforts are supporting farmers’ livelihoods and legacies, enhancing the resilience of global supply chains and creating business value for customers and ADM alike by meeting growing and evolving demand,” said John Grossmann, President, North America Oilseed Crush and Grain at ADM. “We are excited to partner with a company that shares our commitment to build a more resilient future for our food system and meet customers’ demand for sustainably sourced products.”
ADM’s regenerative agriculture efforts with farmers expanded to 5 million acres globally in 2024.
“We know that our success as a company depends on the health of crops and the farmers who grow them—they are the foundations of the iconic foods we produce for people to enjoy,” said Manuel Lopez-Portillo, Vice President – North America Supply Chain at Kellanova. “That’s why we work with expert partners like ADM on programs like this one in the southeast of the U.S. to build sustainable value chains that improve the livelihoods of the farmers and ensure the quality of our ingredients.”
Improving farmers’ livelihoods
Of the total acreage, 15,000 are farmed by members of the National Black Growers Council (NBGC), a farmer-run organization dedicated to improving the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of Black row crop farmers. As part of its Better Days™ Promise goal to advance the wellbeing of people in its food value chain, Kellanova has supported NBGC farmers since 2023 through a partnership with its Eggo® brand; this regenerative cotton program furthers its commitment to supporting the livelihood of U.S. farmers.
ADM Climate-Smart Manager Emmanuel Bankston, a farmer himself, speaks regularly with growers, including members of the NBGC, to help them implement practices and brings his own experience to help them adapt to the program.
“I understand farming challenges such as weather, input prices, and commodity prices, which helps me relate to growers,” he explains. “I’m not speaking to them as someone trying to sell something. I’m speaking to them as a person who knows what may benefit their operation based on my experience.”
Emmanuel raises cattle on 400 acres in Headland County, Alabama, using rotational grazing among other practices in a holistic approach to regenerative agriculture.
“It all boils down to healthy soil,” he says. “Whether you’re growing crops or grass for your cattle, soil is the driving force, so those regenerative practices – not overusing the soil, giving it time to rest, planting cover crops to add more nutrients and organic matter – are super important.”
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