The RegenCircle Newscast 7.31

The New World Food Prize Laureate uses Microorganisms to Save Soils, $2M Awarded to Improve Mental Health Among Farmers, and Food is the New Plastic

August 01, 2025

Start Listening: Updates on RegenCircle Newscast 🎙️

The latest in Regenerative Agriculture news from July 16-31, 2025: Our take on the sectors’ investment movements and it’s signals to the broader market, ‘Ultra Processed Foods’ fall under scrutiny from FDA and USDA, and the future of America’s greatest addition, coffee.

This Week’s Investment News

The Leader in Gluten-Free Buckwheat Bread Launches Its Third Funding Round on WeFunder

Photo by WeFunder

Founded in June 2020, Pacha has been on a mission to redefine healthy eating with its line of sprouted buckwheat bread and tortillas. These aren't just any baked goods; they're gluten-free, organic, vegan, and free of the top 9 allergens, all while being packaged in home-compostable materials. What truly sets Pacha apart is its commitment to sustainability, sourcing most of its buckwheat from regenerative farms.

Lake Erie, Plagued By Algae Blooms Has a New Champion Spearheading Change with a $12M Investment

Photo By Michigan Mama News

Michigan State University, through its esteemed Institute of Water Research, has received a significant $12 million investment from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). This substantial funding will fuel a seven-year program, spearheaded by MSU's Center for Regenerative Agriculture, dedicated to tackling nutrient pollution in the vital Western Lake Erie Basin.

The program's core objective is to dramatically reduce phosphorus levels using an innovative, performance-based approach. This initiative is built on strong collaborations with various partner organizations, bringing together diverse expertise to address this critical environmental challenge.

Political + Policy News

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Ultra Processed Foods are Getting a Definition, Food Giants Beware

In a significant move to improve public health, federal agencies including the FDA and USDA are collaborating to establish a uniform definition of "ultra-processed foods" (UPFs). This crucial initiative, strongly supported by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., directly addresses pressing health concerns associated with UPFs, as highlighted in the Make America Healthy (MAHA) Report. Studies have linked high UPF consumption to a range of adverse health outcomes, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, depression, and anxiety.

Photo By Phoenix Media Network

Experts Say Seafood Deregulation Could Impact Sustainability and Supply

In April 2025, a new executive order titled "Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness" was enacted, with the stated goal of deregulating the U.S. seafood sector. The order aims to reduce what it identifies as burdensome regulations and tackle unfair trade practices within the industry. Critics fear that, despite its intentions, this deregulation could threaten the health of marine ecosystems and the stability of seafood production, unraveling progress made in sustainable fishing practices. The debate over balancing economic competitiveness with environmental stewardship in the U.S. seafood industry is clearly heating up.

REPORTS WORTH READING

Photo By Z. Larson, Penn State Extension

A Cover Crop Selection Tool for Northeast US Farmers

The Northeast Cover Crops Council, in a collaborative effort with Precision Sustainable Agriculture, has launched an invaluable new resource: the Cover Crop Decision Support Tool. This user-friendly, web-based application is designed to help Northeast US farmers explore and select the most suitable cover crop species for their specific needs. By simply inputting their unique farm conditions and goals, users can unlock a wealth of information. The tool provides comprehensive data on 42 different cover crop species, detailing their key characteristics, the numerous benefits they offer, and essential management practices. Farmers can easily filter options based on a variety of environmental and agronomic criteria, and a specialized species selector helps optimize choices to meet specific agronomic goals.

Photo By The World Food Prize

The New World Food Prize Laureate Uses Microorganisms To Save Soils

Dr. Mariangela Hungria, the 2025 World Food Prize laureate, has been recognized for her pioneering work in regenerative agriculture, particularly through the use of microorganisms to enhance soil health. Her efforts focus on sustainable farming practices that restore and maintain soil fertility, which is crucial for long-term agricultural productivity. Hungria's work provides actionable insights into integrating biological methods in farming to promote environmental sustainability and food security, highlighting the importance of microorganisms in regenerative agriculture.

Global Microbiome Preservation Effort Grows

The Global Microbiome Preservation Effort, spearheaded by the Microbiota Vault Initiative, is working to create a "microbial Noah's Ark" to safeguard the planet's diverse microbial life. This vital initiative, recently highlighted in Nature Communications, has also established a robust ethical framework to ensure equitable collaboration and depositor sovereignty. Inspired by the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the Microbiota Vault aims to protect microbes that are crucial for both human health and ecosystem stability. These essential microorganisms are increasingly threatened by human activity. Plans are already in motion to expand the collection to 10,000 samples by 2029 and to establish a permanent vault site.

HUMAN INTEREST STORIES

Photo By Marcello Cappellazzi

Could Child Care Centers Strengthen Local Food Systems?

Dara Bloom, an associate professor at North Carolina State University, is pioneering efforts to connect child care centers with local farmers to improve food access and support small farms. Despite challenges like funding cuts, her farm-to-early-care-and-education (ECE) program explores local food supply chains to benefit both children and farmers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's terminated Local Food for Schools program had potential to significantly aid these initiatives. Bloom's work highlights child care's role in shaping children’s taste preferences and promoting resilient local food systems.

Photo By USDA, Public domain

$2M Awarded to Improve Mental Health Among Farmers

The New York State Office of Mental Health has awarded $2 million to AIM Independent Living Center to launch the Farmers Supporting Farmers program. This initiative aims to enhance mental health and reduce suicide risk for farmers and agribusiness workers in New York. The program will provide free, confidential consultation services and will focus on several counties including Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben. Services include mental wellness support and agricultural technical assistance.

TECH

Researchers Develop Process to Turn Food Waste Into Biodegradable Plastic

Photo By Morning Ag Clips

Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a process to transform food waste into biodegradable plastic, tackling two major environmental challenges at once. Led by Tianzheng Liu, the team utilized Cupriavidus necator bacteria to create polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) plastic from lactic acid derived from fermented food waste. This method offers a leap forward, providing a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to current biodegradable plastic production, which typically relies on more expensive refined sugar substrates.

Photo by David Ramos via Getty Images

Microsoft and Carbon Direct Unveil Enhanced Criteria for Carbon Dioxide Removal

In a significant stride towards more effective and sustainable climate solutions, Microsoft and Carbon Direct have jointly released updated criteria for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects. These enhanced guidelines are designed to elevate the effectiveness and sustainability of CDR initiatives, with a particular focus on embracing technological advancements and innovations in regenerative agriculture.

CONSUMER PRODUCTS

American Farmers Network Transforms Grass-Fed Beef Industry With Strategic Acquisition of Intermountain Packing

American Farmers Network (AFN) has acquired Intermountain Packing LLC, a beef processing plant in Idaho Falls. This strategic move allows AFN to control its entire supply chain, ensuring high-quality and sustainable grass-fed beef products. AFN is committed to sustainable and regenerative practices, focusing on animal welfare and environmental health. The acquisition enables AFN to oversee cattle processing, fabrication, and further processing in-house, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing logistics costs

World News

Photo By Jacques Demarthon/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. withdraws from U.N. cultural agency over 'divisive social and cultural causes'

The U.S. has withdrawn from UNESCO, citing disagreements with the agency's emphasis on the U.N.'s sustainable development goals and the inclusion of Palestine as a member state. This decision reflects broader tensions over global collaborations and initiatives, impacting areas such as regenerative agriculture and earth sciences that rely on international cooperation. The move highlights ongoing challenges in balancing national interests with global commitments to cultural and scientific progress.

Photo By Timothy Fadek / Corbis via Getty Images

Climate change has sent coffee prices soaring. Trump’s tariffs will send them higher

The article discusses the challenges faced by the coffee industry due to climate change and geopolitical tensions. Debbie Wei Mullin, founder of Copper Cow, invested in organic coffee farming in Vietnam but faces difficulties due to Trump's tariffs on Vietnamese goods, impacting her business model. The tariffs, along with climate-fueled droughts, have led to soaring coffee prices. These economic pressures may discourage environmentally-conscious practices like organic farming. U.S. coffee companies may seek cheaper markets, potentially raising prices further.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Mid-Atlantic Agriculture Law Conference
    Dates: October 28th-29th

    Click Here

    The Mid-Atlantic Agriculture Law Conference, organized by legal education faculty from regional land grant universities, will take place on October 28-29, 2025, in Shepherdstown, WV. The event will cover topics like heirs property, farm succession, and solar siting, and offers continuing legal education credits. Registration and sponsorship details are available.

  • Celebrate National Farmers Market Week 2025

  • Dates: August 3rd-9th

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    National Farmers Market Week 2025, celebrated from August 3-9, highlights the role of farmers markets in local food systems. The S.D. Specialty Producers Association joins this nationwide event, featuring special activities like Pollinator Day in Brookings and Sioux Falls Navy Week in Brandon.

  • Seneca Falls Field Days: Soil Health & More

    Dates: August 6th-7th

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    The Seneca Falls Field Days, organized by the New York Soil Health Alliance and the New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association, will occur on August 6-7, 2025, at Rodman Lott & Son Farms. Events include the Summer Crop Tour and NY Soil Health Field Day, featuring keynotes, demonstrations, and discussions on soil health and crop resilience.

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