Campbell Soup Company has been granted $3.4 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Regional Conservation Partnership Program to enhance sustainable agriculture among California's processing tomato growers. This initiative will see collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, American Farmland Trust, and various Resource Conservation Districts to promote sustainable agricultural practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil health, and ensuring water stewardship, thereby bolstering the economic viability and resilience of the tomato farming sector in California.
Stewart Lindsay, the Chief Sustainability Officer at Campbell's, emphasized the company's longstanding commitment to sustainability alongside California tomato growers, highlighting the increasing necessity for climate-smart agricultural practices amidst the challenges posed by climate change. The project aims to facilitate the adoption of innovative practices in soil health, nutrient management, and irrigation, with assistance from the NRCS to alleviate financial and logistical hurdles for growers.
Tom Stein of American Farmland Trust acknowledged the funding as a critical support mechanism for farmers to swiftly integrate sustainable practices, thereby enhancing their farms' climate resilience and economic sustainability. The initiative reflects Campbell's enduring advocacy for sustainable farming practices, particularly in the realm of tomato cultivation, where the company has a historical involvement. Campbell's efforts include promoting regenerative agriculture and establishing a grant fund to overcome barriers in implementing and expanding soil health practices.
Source: businesswire