Fast food retail giant McDonald’s announced on Monday that it plans to invest $200 million over the next seven years to advance regenerative agriculture practices on U.S. cattle ranches, marking the company’s largest investment to date in this area. The Chicago-based fast-food giant has previously supported regenerative projects on potato farms in Canada and Europe, but this initiative represents a major push to promote sustainable practices across the beef supply chain.
“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 focuses on improving soil health, conserving water, and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and chemicals. On cattle ranches, this typically involves rotating cattle frequently and allowing land to rest for weeks or months, which promotes the growth of grass with deeper roots that can capture more carbon from the atmosphere. The practices also support water conservation and wildlife habitats, benefiting both the environment and the long-term productivity of the ranches.
McDonald’s has said that the investment will help the company expand regenerative grazing, water stewardship, and wildlife conservation on ranches spanning 4 million acres across up to 38 states. The company is partnering with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which will independently award competitive grants to organizations that assist participating ranchers. Some of McDonald’s suppliers, including Cargill, Golden State Foods, and Coca-Cola, are also contributing funding to the foundation.
Jeff Trandahl, the executive director and CEO of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, has said regenerative practices can improve grassland productivity and increase ranchers’ profitability. The foundation expects to announce the first round of grant awards in January, signaling a major step forward in McDonald’s broader efforts to support sustainable and resilient food systems.
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