Innovative Finance Initiative

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (Federation) targets outreach for operating loans to its members, helping expand access to capital that supports conservation and measurable outcomes.

Akiptan offers sustainable loans designed to help producers to strengthen their balance sheet and cash flow while implementing regenerative agriculture practices. In addition to direct financing, producers also receive technical assistance. The Intertribal Agriculture Council uses grant funds to provide nationwide education, outreach, marketing, and technical assistance to support the model, expanding financing options and producer support through a collaborative approach.

The Regenerative Agriculture Fund I (RAF I) is an annual farm operating line of credit offered by Farmers Business Network. Eligible farmers earn a practice-based incentive equivalent to a 0.5% discount from their base rate on the interest paid on the line of credit, through the full and timely payment of the line of credit, and by meeting environmental standards tied to nutrient management and soil conservation. 

As part of this program, PepsiCo will pay ADM for the procurement of sustainably produced agriculture products enrolled in its regenerative agriculture program. Farmers will be eligible to enroll in RAF, the cost-share marketing incentive, or both.

Illinois Corn’s Precision Conservation Management (PCM) program offers a sustainable practice incentive to farmers for cover crops, reduced-till, no-till, strip-till, reduction in nitrogen use, and various practice enhancement options. Matching funds from PepsiCo, offering $5-$25 per acre, will be used to incentivize farmers to adopt conservation practices listed below. 

Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) offers incentives for reducing nitrogen application and for planting cover crops. 

Through the N Rate Risk Protection Program (NRRPP), growers agree to reduce their nitrogen rates. If the benchmark yield is not achieved with reduced nitrogen application, a per-acre reimbursement payment may be claimed to cover a portion of the performance reduction. Growers Edge partners with PFI on the NRRPP program to support insurance claims and determine if a farmer is eligible to receive a payment based on reduced crop performance.

PFI's Cover Crop Cost-Share program offers a marketing incentive, paid by PepsiCo, for implementing cover crops.

The Crop Plan is a performance product that recommends practices, and in some cases products, including cover crops, low- or no-till, efficient nutrient management, and/or enhanced efficiency fertilizers that help achieve sustainable production objectives. The Crop Plan assures growers that their acres will meet or beat past yield performance. If yields fall below the established performance expectations, the grower can claim a warranty payment, offered by Growers Edge, to cover a portion of performance shortfall.

In addition to the yield warranty offered by Growers Edge, Coop Elevator will offer an incentive paid by Mondelēz International for farmers that implent cover crops, reduced or no-till, and nutrient management.

The Crop Plan is a performance product that recommends practices, and in some cases products, including cover crops, low- or no-till, efficient nutrient management, and/or enhanced efficiency fertilizers that help achieve sustainable production objectives. The Crop Plan assures growers that their acres will meet or beat past yield performance. If yields fall below the established performance expectations, the grower can claim a warranty payment, offered by Growers Edge, to cover a portion of performance shortfall.

In addition to the yield warranty offered by Growers Edge, Nutrien Ag Solutions will provide funds for a performance-based incentive for farmers using nitrogen-reduction practices.