Unilever: Regenerative Agriculture for Soybean Farmers

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of wellbeing, foods and personal care products, with more than 128,000 employees worldwide.

It is committed to promoting regenerative agriculture practices, providing funding, training and resources to farmers wanting to improve their environmental footprint.

After launching its STEP Up for Agriculture programme alongside PepsiCo and other companies, Unilever is increasing its support for US farmers.

Supporting farmers in Iowa

Unilever is undertaking an expansion of its regenerative agriculture project in Iowa, US, supporting local soybean farmers.

The company has been working with local organisations like Practical Farmers of Iowa for years, providing funding and education to help farmers adopt regenerative practices.

It helps farmers integrate techniques that restore soil health, enhance biodiversity and strengthen rural communities.

Its engagement with local groups has already helped farmers in Iowa scale up cover cropping, conservation tillage and other approaches to sustainable farming.

Through its STEP Up for Agriculture initiative, it is partnering with Iowa farmers that grow soybeans for Hellmann’s mayonnaise.

This work began in 2018, when Unilever invested in Practical Farmers of Iowa to provide science-based guidance and farming networks grounded in trust.

Unilever’s Iowa initiative has grown to become the company’s largest regenerative agriculture project in the world, providing local farmers with training, funding and technical assistance.

The programme now supports more than 900 farmers across 185,000 acres of farmland.

Kristina Friedman, Head of Sustainability for Unilever North America, says: “Regenerative agriculture is a big part of how we’re building a stronger, more resilient supply chain and food system.

“STEP Up for Ag can help us move faster and smarter, empowering farmer-led groups with the tools they need and opening doors to more great partners that can grow our business.

“Our longstanding work with Practical Farmers of Iowa has been game-changing and this next chapter is a huge step forward.”

About the STEP Up for Agriculture programme

In September 2025, PepsiCo, Unilever and other major retail and food and beverage companies joined to launch the STEP Up for Agriculture initiative.

STEP Up for Ag is a first of its kind collaboration which aims to scale regenerative agriculture by supporting farmers.

The initiative supports PepsiCo’s target of transitioning 10 million acres of farmland to regenerative agriculture practices by 2030.

STEP Up for Ag strengthens local organisations by providing them with tools, training and resources needed to support farmers, accelerating the adoption of regenerative, restorative or protective techniques.

Transitioning farms to more sustainable practices requires collaboration from each company and organisation involved.

The initiative is building a shared ecosystem of support that will help empower farmers and drive change in the sector.

Over the next two years, STEP Up for Ag will facilitate peer learning, deliver in-person workshops and develop shared tools and resources.

Jim Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo, says: “PepsiCo is rooted in agriculture, and farmers are at the heart of our food systems.

“STEP Up for Ag is about investing in the organisations that support farmers every day, aiming to ensure they can grow, innovate and lead the transition to more sustainable agriculture.

“When farmers thrive, we all thrive.”