PepsiCo has extended its Food for Tomorrow research partnership with the National Geographic Society, expanding scientific investigation into regenerative agriculture practices across multiple geographic regions and farming systems.
The collaboration, which builds on an existing research framework between the food and beverage company and the nonprofit scientific organization, funds independent academic studies examining the environmental and productivity outcomes of regenerative farming approaches across PepsiCo’s agricultural supply chains.
The expanded program supports research examining soil health metrics, biodiversity indicators, water quality impacts, and carbon sequestration potential across different crop types and growing regions. Studies will evaluate practices including cover cropping, reduced tillage, crop rotation diversity, and integrated pest management systems.
Global research network
The research initiative operates through a network of academic institutions conducting field trials and data collection across farming operations supplying PepsiCo’s ingredient requirements. Geographic focus areas include grain production regions in North America, potato growing areas in Europe and Asia, and oat cultivation zones spanning multiple continents.
Independent researchers receive funding to design multi-year studies tracking measurable environmental indicators alongside agronomic performance metrics. The program structure aims to generate peer-reviewed findings that can inform both company sourcing standards and broader agricultural transition strategies.
National Geographic Society brings expertise in scientific research coordination and data synthesis to the partnership. The organization’s role includes connecting researchers across geographic boundaries and facilitating knowledge sharing between academic teams investigating similar questions in different contexts.
Measuring regenerative outcomes
Research protocols emphasize quantifiable measurements across environmental domains. Soil health assessments track organic matter content, microbial activity, aggregate stability, and nutrient cycling efficiency. Water quality monitoring examines runoff patterns, nutrient retention, and pesticide residue levels in adjacent waterways.
Biodiversity studies document changes in beneficial insect populations, bird species diversity, and pollinator activity on farms implementing regenerative practices compared to conventional management systems. Carbon measurement protocols assess both soil carbon sequestration rates and greenhouse gas emission reductions from practice changes.
The program also examines economic viability questions for farmers, tracking input costs, yield stability, labor requirements, and overall profitability of regenerative systems relative to baseline farming approaches.
Supply chain integration
PepsiCo incorporates research findings into its agricultural sourcing strategy, which targets seven million acres enrolled in regenerative agriculture programs by 2030. The company works with farmers supplying key ingredients including potatoes, oats, corn, and wheat to implement practices supported by research evidence.
Farmer participation involves technical assistance, access to precision agriculture tools, and potential financial incentives for adopting verified practices. PepsiCo agronomists work alongside growers to customize regenerative approaches for local soil types, climate conditions, and crop requirements.
The research component distinguishes the initiative from practice adoption programs lacking scientific validation. Multi-year field trials provide evidence on which specific practices deliver measurable environmental benefits under varying agricultural conditions.
Academic partnerships
Universities participating in the expanded research network include institutions in potato production regions of the United Kingdom and Netherlands, oat growing areas of Canada and Scandinavia, and corn cultivation zones across the United States Midwest.
Research teams design studies addressing region-specific questions while contributing to broader understanding of regenerative agriculture outcomes. Coordinated protocols enable comparison across geographies while respecting local agricultural contexts.
The National Geographic Society facilitates synthesis of findings across research sites, identifying common patterns and context-dependent variations in regenerative practice effectiveness. Results feed into both scientific literature and practical guidance for agricultural stakeholders.
