Compeer Financial, PepsiCo launch strip-till financing program

Compeer Financial and PepsiCo have launched a pilot financing program designed to help farmers acquire strip-till equipment and adopt soil conservation practices.

Under the RegenLend program, Compeer Financial will lease strip-till equipment to participating farmers, while PepsiCo will cover two annual lease payments to reduce upfront costs, according to a PepsiCo release today. The program was developed with support from the Environmental Defense Fund and will be managed in partnership with the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund.

The initiative targets a key barrier to conservation farming: the cost of specialized farm equipment. Strip-till systems can improve soil health, reduce erosion, increase water retention and lower fuel and labor expenses by reducing field passes.

The program combines equipment financing with sustainability incentives from the agricultural supply chain, creating a new funding model for producers seeking to implement conservation practices, according to the release. The pilot is available in its first year to farmers planning to use strip-till equipment on at least 600 acres.

For Compeer Financial, the program expands the role of agricultural equipment finance in supporting sustainability goals. The Farm Credit cooperative provides loans, leases and other financial services throughout Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

PepsiCo said the initiative aligns with its effort to strengthen sustainable agriculture across its supply chain while helping farmers navigate rising costs and weather-related challenges, according to the release. The Soil and Water Outcomes Fund has enrolled more than 3 million acres in conservation programs since 2020, supporting carbon reductions and water-quality improvements across 20 states.

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