That’s where companies like ADM play an important role. ADM’s regenerative agriculture program, which expanded from North America to Europe last year, is seeking to spur the widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, such as planting cover crops and reducing tillage to keep more carbon in the soil, and verifying the practices using the latest technology.
Lines, whose farm dates back to at least the 11th century, says joining ADM’s program is allowing him to expand the use of sustainable practices that he has been relying on for more than a decade. Financial incentives help reduce the risks associated with adopting these practices at scale, while advances in data and technology are helping to measure their impact, giving farmers crucial insights.
Moving to regenerative practices is rejuvenating our food system, our soil system and my farm system, Lines says.
Food and agriculture systems are transforming to feed a growing population and respond to the rising threat of climate change. Last year saw the second-wettest winter on record in England, impacting farmers all over the country and illustrating the importance of resilience. Healthy soils can better absorb heavy rainfall and lock up more carbon, and they’re also able to hold much more water during droughts.
“Today, the extremes are worse, whether it is the dry, hot summers or the excessive rainfall we’ve seen,” says James Daw, who oversees about 3,000 acres of farmland in England’s West Midlands, north of Birmingham. “At the same time, the costs are high and the financial risks therefore in planting some of these crops are significant.”
The Staffordshire farmer, who grows oats, wheat, barley, beans and oilseed rape, says he is encouraged by the increasing support he sees for regenerative agriculture among companies across the food, agriculture and water sectors. Those industry contributions are key to scaling up regenerative agriculture and maximizing its impact.
“We’re doing this for the next generation,” according to Daw, who runs Woodhouse Farm and Thorpe Estate. “If we don’t do this everywhere, not just on our own farm, these soils won’t be there to grow crops and provide food in the future.”
