PepsiCo, Unilever, and other major food and beverage companies have launched Supporting Trusted Engagement and Partnership for Agriculture (STEP up for Ag), a new effort to strengthen farmer-facing support organizations across North America. The initiative will provide training, funding, and strategic resources to local groups that work directly with farmers, helping them expand advisory capacity, improve profitability, and adopt regenerative practices.
PepsiCo has set a goal to implement regenerative methods across 10 million acres by 2030, while Unilever plans to extend these principles to 1 million hectares worldwide. Both companies stress that lasting change depends on equipping trusted farmer networks with the tools and knowledge to succeed.
STEP up for Ag operates through a multi-tiered partnership model, bringing together corporations, philanthropic groups, and farmer-led organizations. Early participants include Practical Farmers of Iowa, the Southeast Research Farm in Canada, and Indiana-based Farm Advisors, which will provide mentorship, peer learning, and on-farm guidance.
Over the next two years, the program will host workshops, develop shared tools, and expand farmer-to-farmer learning models, while also piloting its first European program in Spain. By strengthening local organizations and fostering collaboration, the initiative aims to support healthier soil, lower agricultural emissions, and stronger rural economies—delivering benefits that extend from farming communities to global food systems.
