McDonald’s announced plans to invest $200 million over the next seven years to support regenerative agriculture practices on U.S. cattle ranches. The company described this as its largest investment in regenerative agriculture in the United States. McDonald’s has previously funded similar projects on potato farms in Canada and Europe.
“As a brand that serves more than 90% of Americans every year, we recognize the responsibility we have to help safeguard our food systems for long-term vitality,” said Cesar Piña, McDonald’s chief supply chain officer for North America.
Regenerative agriculture methods focus on conserving water, improving soil health, and reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. These practices are being adopted by other major companies such as General Mills, Nestle, Walmart, and PepsiCo.
On cattle ranches, regenerative techniques include moving cattle frequently and allowing land to rest for extended periods. This approach helps grow grass with deeper roots that can capture more carbon from the atmosphere and improve soil quality.
According to McDonald’s, its investment will help speed up regenerative grazing efforts as well as water and wildlife conservation across approximately 4 million acres in up to 38 states.
The company is collaborating with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which will independently manage competitive grants for organizations assisting participating ranchers. Some McDonald’s suppliers—including Cargill, Golden State Foods, and Coca-Cola—are also contributing funding through the foundation.
