Southern Plains
Unique regional context
The Southern Plains has hot summers, mild winters, and erratic rainfall, and is prone to drought and soil erosion. Water conservation is critical, to maintain groundwater sources like the Ogallala Aquifer, and practices like cover cropping, no-till farming, and drought-resistant crops are crucial for long-term agricultural resilience.
Progress
We have invested in supply shed projects in this region since 2019. In 2024, we engaged over 100,000 acres in programming to advance regenerative agriculture
How we’re supporting regenerative agriculture in this region
Our work supporting regenerative agriculture in the Southern Plains began in 2020. We partnered with the Soil Health Academy, Understanding Ag, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Cheney Lake Watershed Inc. to deliver one-on-one coaching and peer learning opportunities for farmers. Alongside this program, we are providing ecosystem service market payments through Eco-Harvest.
In 2021, we funded the establishment of the Kansas Soil Health Alliance, a crucial farmer- and rancher-led non-profit now distributing soil health knowledge and best practices statewide.
Building on this foundation, our 2024 initiatives focused on increased local leadership and collaboration. Through a National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Partners Program grant, we funded Cheney Lake Watershed Inc. to build a Soil Health Advisor Master Class in the watershed. This program pairs education and mentorship for local farmers who will in turn engage and educate others in the region.
We also established a partnership with the National Sorghum Producers, who received a $60 million US Department of Agriculture grant to document and work with farmers to reduce the life cycle emissions of the wheat/sorghum production system that is common to west-central Kansas. More than 2 million acres of wheat are grown in a sorghum rotation annually often with livestock incorporated, though the emissions of these systems have not been well documented.
Since 2023, through our partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, we have supported nine projects across the region promoting regenerative agriculture adoption and improved wildlife habitats on both cropland and rangeland. Recipients include Cheney Lake Watershed Inc., the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.
Furthermore, we collaborate with the Ecdysis Foundation, RES, Furman University, Colorado State University and the Soil Health Institute to conduct on-farm and university-led research studying the impacts of regenerative agriculture on soil health and biodiversity outcomes.
Finally, since 2021, our partnership with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission has promoted soil health-based farming techniques. This program provides technical and financial assistance to producers, focusing on improving land resilience and health through cover cropping as a summer fallow management strategy in wheat production.
In 2021, we funded the establishment of the Kansas Soil Health Alliance, a crucial farmer- and rancher-led non-profit now distributing soil health knowledge and best practices statewide.
Building on this foundation, our 2024 initiatives focused on increased local leadership and collaboration. Through a National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Partners Program grant, we funded Cheney Lake Watershed Inc. to build a Soil Health Advisor Master Class in the watershed. This program pairs education and mentorship for local farmers who will in turn engage and educate others in the region.
We also established a partnership with the National Sorghum Producers, who received a $60 million US Department of Agriculture grant to document and work with farmers to reduce the life cycle emissions of the wheat/sorghum production system that is common to west-central Kansas. More than 2 million acres of wheat are grown in a sorghum rotation annually often with livestock incorporated, though the emissions of these systems have not been well documented.
Since 2023, through our partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, we have supported nine projects across the region promoting regenerative agriculture adoption and improved wildlife habitats on both cropland and rangeland. Recipients include Cheney Lake Watershed Inc., the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.
Furthermore, we collaborate with the Ecdysis Foundation, RES, Furman University, Colorado State University and the Soil Health Institute to conduct on-farm and university-led research studying the impacts of regenerative agriculture on soil health and biodiversity outcomes.
Finally, since 2021, our partnership with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission has promoted soil health-based farming techniques. This program provides technical and financial assistance to producers, focusing on improving land resilience and health through cover cropping as a summer fallow management strategy in wheat production.
Ingredients grown
• Winter wheat
• Corn
• Soy
• Corn
• Soy
Relevant products
• Doughs
• Flour
• Flour
Featured Partnerships
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