Building a Resilient Food System Through a Farmer-Led Movement

As a global food company, we depend on healthy soil, clean water and thriving farming communities to grow the ingredients we source for family favorites like Pillsbury dough, Cheerios and much more. However, declining natural resources and increasing supply chain risks challenge our food system.

That’s why we are investing in regenerative agriculture, a farmer-led movement benefiting the soil, water and farm business.

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.

Our Southern Plains supply shed includes most of Kansas and parts of Colorado, Oklahoma and Missouri. Since 2020, we’ve been partnering with organizations like the Soil Health Academy, Understanding Ag, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and Cheney Lake Watershed Inc. in the region to deliver one-on-one coaching and peer learning opportunities for farmers. In 2021, we funded the establishment of the Kansas Soil Health Alliance, a farmer and rancher led non-profit distributing soil health knowledge and best practices statewide.

Since 2023, our partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has supported nine projects across this region, promoting regenerative agriculture adoption and improved wildlife habitats. Our ongoing partnership continues to empower local programs providing education and mentorship to farmers.

Our Northern Plains supply shed encompasses North Dakota and parts of South Dakota, Minnesota, and Canada. In this region, we support locally led programs through Soil & Water Conservation Districts, providing financial resources and technical assistance to farmers implementing practices that build soil health.

In North Dakota, we participate in the Trusted Advisor Partnership. This is a coalition of multiple food companies supporting a soil health training program for independent soil experts. Through this program, we’re also providing financial support to farmers working with these trained agronomists to adopt regenerative farming practices.

Additionally, as of 2023, we’ve supported seven projects in this region through our ongoing partnership with NFWF.

Our supply shed within the Central Valley of California is nestled between the Sierra Nevada and Coastal Mountain ranges, and our work in this region focuses on water resilience.

General Mills is a longtime partner of the California Water Action Coalition and founding member of its Regen Ag & Water Lab (RAW), a collective advancing nature-based conservation practices to aid farmers in building resiliency. Alongside other RAW lab co-leaders like Sustainable Conservation and American Farmland Trust, we support farmers adapting regenerative farming practices to their region and fund research to better understand the water benefits of these methods.

Collaboration is key to building resilient ecosystems and farming communities. These programs — and the many others we support — help farmers produce food in ways that support a healthy planet and thriving communities. Together, we’re building a more resilient food system for everyone.

Check out our “G” stands for Good page to learn more.