Meet the moment: Apply for our Leadership Cohort

Regenerative agriculture has gained momentum across the agri-food value chain as a systems- and practice-based way to meet climate and nature goals. Yet many companies still struggle to turn their ambitions into scalable, measurable impact on the ground.

For corporations at the early stages of building regenerative agriculture as a core component of their business strategies, the path forward can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you align goals with real-world supply chain action? How do you build the internal buy-in and external partnerships required for success?

In today’s climate, the stakes are only growing. Federal funding sources that once fueled conservation innovation are increasingly uncertain, and waiting for public programs to bridge the gap is no longer a viable strategy. Corporations must step forward—building resilient, climate-smart supply chains through strategic, collaborative investments.

To meet this need, the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative (MRCC) is launching a Regenerative Agriculture Leadership Cohort in October 2025. This exclusive, two-year program is designed specifically for corporations ready to take meaningful first – or next- steps in partnership with trusted peers and seasoned mentors.

What makes the MRCC Leadership Cohort different?

• Learning approach. This is a dynamic, action-driven learning environment designed to connect corporations through five in-person workshops and four 120-minute virtual sessions.
• Peer mentorship. Led by experienced MRCC members including PepsiCo, Unilever, Walmart, Kellanova, and Gevo, and leading NGOs, participants will be mentored by peers with years of experience designing, testing, and maturing industry-leading regenerative agriculture programs.
• Project development focus. Participants will develop, strengthen, or expand real-world projects with participating organizations.
• Small, trusted network. Connections within a network of industry peers, NGOs, and field practioners will deepen corporate commitments to shared action advancing regenerative systems.
• Theory of change. The cohort is grounded in MRCC’s theory of change—providing a structured, field-tested roadmap informed by a decade of experience.

MRCC believes in starting where you are—and building toward what’s next. No mandatory platform, no one-size-fits-all prescription. Just deep practical knowledge aligned with your organization’s needs and goals.

Who should apply?

Corporations currently implementing, planning, or exploring regenerative agriculture initiatives are ideal cohort participants. This list includes CPGs, retailers, aggregators, biofuels, fiber, livestock feed companies, and other value chain actors with sustainability and sourcing roles. Each participating corporation designates one core participant, with the opportunity to involve additional staff per relevant workshop.

Investing in your future

The MRCC Leadership Cohort is about more than education—it’s about transformation.

Priority application deadline is May 15, with final applications closing June 15, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Only 12 seats are available to foster deeper engagement, hands-on support, and strong relationship-building.

Learn more by contacting Jaycie Thomsen and submit your application today.