Central Valley California
Unique regional context
California’s Mediterranean climate is characterized by dry summers and wet winters. Volatile precipitation patterns, overuse of water resources, outdated infrastructure, and the impacts of climate change have led to a shortage of water resources on which agriculture depends.
Progress
We have invested in supply shed projects in this region since 2021. In 2024, we engaged over 8,000 acres in programming to advance regenerative agriculture.
How we’re supporting regenerative agriculture in this region
California provides General Mills with over 50 agricultural ingredients, including key crops like almonds, tomatoes, and rice. We collaborate to advance regenerative agriculture throughout the region with farmers, industry groups, and NGOs, through direct partnerships and through coalitions such as the California Water Action Collaborative (CWAC).
We place a particular focus on water resilience in almond systems. This work faces unique challenges. Practices like cover cropping and livestock integration offer significant potential to improve water infiltration and use efficiency while enhancing biodiversity. However, challenges remain, including potential water competition between cover crops and trees, pest management, and coordinating livestock integration with harvest timing. We support organizations assisting farmers in adapting regenerative principles to the region's unique conditions, and fund research to better understand the water-related benefits of these methods.
General Mills is a founding member of the California Water Action Coalition’s Regen Ag & Water Lab (RAW), a collective action mechanism in the San Joaquin Valley focusing on almonds, launched in October 2023. Alongside other RAW lab co-leaders from Sustainable Conservation (SusCon) and American Farmland Trust, we are organizing private partner investment around soil health outcomes, use of biochar, and whole orchard recycling research in almond orchards the region.
We place a particular focus on water resilience in almond systems. This work faces unique challenges. Practices like cover cropping and livestock integration offer significant potential to improve water infiltration and use efficiency while enhancing biodiversity. However, challenges remain, including potential water competition between cover crops and trees, pest management, and coordinating livestock integration with harvest timing. We support organizations assisting farmers in adapting regenerative principles to the region's unique conditions, and fund research to better understand the water-related benefits of these methods.
General Mills is a founding member of the California Water Action Coalition’s Regen Ag & Water Lab (RAW), a collective action mechanism in the San Joaquin Valley focusing on almonds, launched in October 2023. Alongside other RAW lab co-leaders from Sustainable Conservation (SusCon) and American Farmland Trust, we are organizing private partner investment around soil health outcomes, use of biochar, and whole orchard recycling research in almond orchards the region.
Ingredients grown
• Almonds
• Rice
• Tomatoes
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Rice
• Tomatoes
• Fruits
• Vegetables
Relevant products
• Snack bars
• Canned tomatoes
• Frozen vegetables
• Frozen fruit
• Canned tomatoes
• Frozen vegetables
• Frozen fruit
Featured Partnerships
Explore other regions by clicking below
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