“We brought employees to have an in-person experience on the farm to see regenerative agriculture in practice and why it’s so powerful in how it benefits the environment, our food system, and ultimately, how it addresses climate change,” says Mary Jane Melendez, vice president, chief sustainability and social impact officer. “Seeing these practices in person is different than hearing about them in a meeting or a PowerPoint presentation. And it humanizes the work when you’re able to meet the farmers and the families behind this movement.”

Understanding regenerative agriculture

Ray Archuleta and Gabe Brown, early pioneers in regenerative agriculture and partners in Understanding Ag LLC, joined the group at Stoney Creek Farm to facilitate the day’s activities.

“We’re trying to educate people about all aspects of the supply chain; from the soil to the plants to the animals, the farmers, the ranchers, and inevitably to the consumer,” says Brown.

"Because the health of society depends on the health of the soil that those products were grown or raised on."

On a nearby field, employees experienced adaptive grazing in action and intercropping in standing corn. Both practices are used to capture carbon in the soil and help keep the soil where it belongs – on the fields.

They even had a visit from a friendly donkey!