September & October 2025 ESMC Newsletter
ESMC is Launching an RFI for Biologicals
As an ecosystem services program, we take a holistic approach to addressing soil carbon, water quality, and biodiversity which are all equally critical to supply chain resilience. To further advance these outcomes, we are exploring the integration of biological and biostimulant innovations in our EcoHarvest program with a new Request for Information.
These innovations—ranging from microbial solutions, plant- and soil-focused stimulants, and enhanced rock weathering materials—have the potential to amplify regenerative practice benefits and deliver stronger returns for farmers and corporate partners.
We invite proposals to include biological and biostimulant products in EcoHarvest. For inclusion in Phase I, submissions are due by January 31, 2026, for the 2026 season.
New EcoHarvest Website Now Live!
We’re excited to announce the launch of the new EcoHarvest website, the dedicated home for ESMC’s flagship program. Until now, EcoHarvest resources were hosted on ESMC’s main site. The new site brings everything together in one place, offering a clear look at how EcoHarvest works for both farmers and corporate partners. You’ll find detailed program information, eligibility guidance, and partner resources, along with case studies that showcase how EcoHarvest delivers measurable, market-ready ecosystem service outcomes.
“EcoHarvest represents seven years of convening, customization, and collaboration,” said Ryan Tregaskes, ESMC’s CEO. “The new website reflects how far we’ve come in building a program that works for both farmers and the corporations committed to reducing their environmental footprint.”
Connecting Science, Standards, and Markets for Scalable Ecosystem Services Outcomes: A Webinar
As agriculture advances toward more sustainable systems, one challenge remains: connecting the right partners to scale credible, verified outcomes.
Join ESMC and partners for an upcoming webinar on how supply chain “matchmaking” can link producers, corporations, and standards bodies to accelerate adoption of conservation practices and deliver market-ready ecosystem service outcomes.
Experts including Jennifer Schmitt (University of Minnesota), Dominic Sutton-Vermeulen (Millpont), and Grant Ivison-Lane (Terranewt) will explore how aligning science, market demand, and verification standards can turn fragmented efforts into coordinated, scalable solutions. We believe that connecting corporate partners in this space to develop tailored co-claiming and/or co-investing models for robust sustainability programs is how we can ‘unite to scale,’ and bring widespread change and positive land impacts to improve the resiliency of our food system.
Through collaboration, transparency, and scientific rigor, we can build stronger connections across the value chain—and make measurable sustainability outcomes a shared success.
📅 1pm ET on November 18, 2025
Watch the Webinar on Re-grounding Climate Solutions: Focusing on Soil Carbon Removals in Agriculture
ESMC held a webinar last month featuring where Dr. Rattan Lal of The Ohio State University highlighted the unique value of soil carbon in climate mitigation, ecosystem health, and farm productivity.
Dr. Lal explored how best management practices (BMPs) like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and nutrient management can drive both reductions and long-term removals and why it’s essential to keep soil organic carbon at the center of agricultural climate solutions. Watch the recording here.
Meet ESMC Team Members at Upcoming Events
We’re pleased to share that ESMC leadership and researchers will be attending the following upcoming events to close out 2025. Please let us know if you’ll also attend and wish to set up a time to meet.
CANVAS 2025
November 9 – 12, Salt Lake City, UT
CANVAS, formerly the ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, is where Crop, Agronomic, Environmental, and Soil Sciences connect and inspire change to impact scientific advancement. Tapasya Babu, ESMC’s Research Director, will present a poster at the event.
2025 Sustainable Agriculture Summit
November 19 – 20, Anaheim, CA
The Sustainable Agriculture Summit is the premier sustainability event for agriculture and by agriculture, convening the collective food and agriculture value chain to learn, develop and advance a shared vision for a sustainable and resilient U.S. food system. ESMC’s CEO, Ryan Tregaskes, and President, Alana Pacheco, will attend.
The Scope 3 Innovation Forum
December 3 – 4, Washington, DC
This two-day conference will bring together 150+ cross-industry supply chain and sustainability professionals. The focus throughout will remain on the practical steps business can take to engage key actors, decarbonize supply chains and deliver on climate commitments. Say hello to ESMC’s CEO Ryan Tregaskes at the event.
AGU 2025
December 15 – 19, New Orleans, LA
Join thousands of scientists, educators, and policymakers at the premier Earth and space science conference to explore groundbreaking research, connect with global experts, and shape the future of our planet. ESMC’s Agricultural Data Manager, Paige Meyer, will present research on Developing ESMC’s Pollution Load Estimation Tool (PLET) for Agricultural Water Quality Credit Generation.
Recent News in Regenerative Ag
For Farmers, the Government Shutdown Adds More Challenges
Civil Eats (October 22)
With no access to local ag-related offices, critical loans, or disaster assistance, farmers are facing even more stressors.
Soil Health Principles Might Be the Difference Between Making and Losing Money
AgWeek (October 20)
Crop diversity, no-till, cover crops, acre-by-acre management and grazing fields in the fall and winter can help increase profitability, Brian Johnson of South Dakota Soil Health Coalition says.
A Soil Health Journey at Maker’s Mark
foodtank (October 15)
Brian Mattingly is an eighth-generation farmer in Marion County, Kentucky, who grew up fascinated by soil. Shortly after college, he was hired at Maker’s Mark, a global whisky brand headquartered just three miles from his childhood home. Now as Director of Star Hill Farm Operations, Mattingly oversees 1,100 acres of regenerative farmland and forest and helped launch the Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance, which is working to transition 1 million acres of farmland to regenerative management.
We Need More Young Farmers. Here’s How Skills and Regenerative Agriculture Can Help Feed the Future
World Economic Forum (October 14)
Attracting young people into farming is a critical opportunity to drive the agricultural transition towards regenerative farming approaches. Tech-enabled regenerative agriculture offers a pathway to restore ecosystems, improve farmer livelihoods and make agriculture more attractive to the next generation. New skills can cast farming as a future-ready career, empower youth as agripreneurs and drive the systemic change needed for resilient food systems.
Building a Resilient Food System Through a Farmer-Led Movement
General Mills (October 10)
General Mills provides tailored resources to farmers in key growing regions, or supply sheds, where we source our ingredients. The locally led programs support farmers to overcome the agronomic, economic and social challenges of adopting these sustainable farming techniques. Read on to learn more about some of the places and programs we’re investing in to support farmers across the U.S.
Study Identifies Key Agricultural Practices That Threaten Soil Health and Global Food Supply
Phys.Org (October 1)
A major review of agricultural practices concluded that while intensive techniques such as plowing, fertilizer use and irrigation boost crop yields in the short term, their regular longer-term use can degrade soils, leaving them less able to withstand shocks such as drought, flooding or geopolitical disruption.
Time to Regenerate: Why the Global Food Industry Should Embrace Regenerative Agriculture Now
World Economic Forum (September 8)
Intensive farming can cause damage, as synthetic inputs affect soil health, harm biodiversity and create a cycle of dependency that undermines farmer livelihoods and health. Regenerative agriculture improves soil health, enhances biodiversity and boosts farmer income in the long term, helping to reverse the damage caused by intensive farming. To accelerate the shift, the Rainforest Alliance has introduced a Regenerative Agriculture Standard and product seal to help track regenerative impact.
