In December, ADM announced that its regenerative agriculture initiatives spanned over 600,000 acres, with a goal for 2023 to expand this to one million acres by enrolling more than 1,000 growers. The introduction of the new ingredients line is a significant step toward achieving this objective. Knwble Grwn, which specializes in plant-based ingredients, is dedicated to sourcing from farmers who are committed to reducing their carbon emissions in agricultural practices, according to Goehner. One example is Paul Overby, a flax farmer from North Dakota, who aims to combat soil erosion by practicing no-till farming. “Paul rotates five or six crops annually while employing minimal or no-till methods, and he has maintained this practice for 15 years,” Goehner noted.
ADM’s regenerative principles encompass minimizing soil disturbance, enhancing soil structure, consistently covering bare soil, maximizing biodiversity, and responsibly managing inputs like pesticides. The Knwble Grwn brand is supported by farmers who adhere to at least three of these principles. Given that regenerative agriculture is a broad concept with varying definitions across different companies, Goehner emphasized that Knwble Grwn is striving to ensure maximum transparency and best practices tailored to the diverse soil and climate needs of its farmers. “Our focus is on how we can bring our mission to life through the supply chain while giving back to the farmers and their communities—a process we are continuously refining,” Goehner stated.
Another important aspect of Knwble Grwn is the diversity within its operations, as highlighted in ADM’s press release. The corporate team for the brand is female-led and consists of a minority group. The ethos of Knwble Grwn revolves around elevating underrepresented communities; the brand sources from veterans, Native American farmers, and smaller operations. “We are committed to building relationships with underrepresented small farmers and providing incentives for them as they adopt regenerative practices,” Goehner explained.
The ingredients company is placing a strong emphasis on regenerative agriculture with some of its major initiatives. Last September, ADM revealed a partnership with food consumer packaged goods giant PepsiCo to fund regenerative agriculture projects involving corn, soy, and wheat farmers in the Midwest, with a target of reaching 2 million acres of farmland by 2030. Additionally, as the company explores new plant-based ingredients, it remains vigilant about potential issues such as calcium citrate allergy, ensuring that all sourced products are safe and beneficial for consumers.