NatGeo and Pepsico back regenerative agriculture research

The National Geographic Society and PepsiCo have awarded five grants to support on-farm research aimed at advancing regenerative agriculture. The projects will focus on key food crops in climate-stressed regions, from prairie restoration in the United States to coffee systems in Ethiopia and drought resilience in Spain.

The selected scientists were chosen from applicants across 140 countries. They join the Society’s global community of Explorers, which includes researchers, conservationists, educators and storytellers. The funding forms part of Food for Tomorrow, a joint initiative designed to promote regenerative agriculture through science, education and storytelling.

Scaling regenerative practices in key regions

Launched in 2025, the pilot programme supports 10 Explorers working across research and storytelling. Their work combines field-based scientific studies with visual documentation and reporting on farmers adopting regenerative methods. An interactive data visualisation tool is scheduled for release later this year.

Ian Miller, chief science and innovation officer, National Geographic Society: "For over a century, the Society has been funding innovative science to better understand our world. Regenerative agriculture is an exciting new area of focus for us. This work is deeply interconnected with many longstanding issues that we tackle: safeguarding freshwater and coastal ecosystems; restoring landscapes to support biodiversity, reduce our carbon footprint, and secure irrecoverable carbon reserves, and more."

Focus on farmer adoption and resilience

PepsiCo has expanded its target to support regenerative, restorative or protective practices across 10 million acres by 2030, as part of its broader sustainability strategy.

Jim Andrew, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer, PepsiCo: "The global food system is under increasing pressure from climate change and extreme weather, and meeting this moment requires supporting the people at the heart of it - the farmers. Farmers get one chance each season to make a crop succeed. That’s why strong, science-backed practices matter. By continuing to demonstrate what works, we can give farmers the confidence that regenerative agriculture not only helps build a more resilient food system but also strengthen their livelihoods."

Research spans wheat, maize, potato and coffee

Over the next two years, the five Explorers will conduct field research on wheat, maize or corn, potato, soy and coffee systems.

In Spain, Ahan Dalal will work with wheat and maize farmers to test practices including biochar, cover crops and beneficial microbes under both standard irrigation and drought conditions, with the aim of developing a resilience model for Mediterranean agriculture.

In Ethiopia, Hewan Degu will study regenerative coffee and potato intercropping systems. The project seeks to build a microbial evidence base while working with farmers to guide on-farm implementation.

Technology and biodiversity in the field

In Indonesia, Al Greeny S. Dewayanti will assess soil regeneration through intercropping sacha inchi with maize. The research incorporates DNA metabarcoding and an early-stage AI-powered farmer application that combines indigenous knowledge with digital tools.

In southwestern Wisconsin, Omar de Kok-Mercado is establishing a connected grid of native prairie plantings on marginal farmland to restore biodiversity across maize, soy and wheat landscapes. The project integrates ecological data with art and storytelling to support landscape-scale regeneration.

Also in Wisconsin, Jamie Spychalla will examine the impact of integrating nitrogen-fixing alfalfa as a rotational cover crop in potato systems. The study focuses on mitigating moisture stress, restoring soil health and maintaining yields, while engaging local farming communities.

Alongside the research projects, five additional Food for Tomorrow Explorers are documenting regenerative transitions across 12 countries. Since mid-2025, they have conducted fieldwork across 13 crop systems, including wheat, rice, strawberries, lettuce and coffee, as well as livestock operations. Multimedia exhibitions, community forums and journalistic reporting are scheduled to roll out in 2026.

www.nationalgeographic.org

www.pepsico.com

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