Toronto, ON – McCain Foods is enhancing its network of Innovation Hub farms, aiming to revolutionize potato farming with regenerative agricultural practices. This growing season, the company will partner with four additional farms in Alberta, Wisconsin, Maine, and Idaho, joining established hubs in Idaho, Washington, and Manitoba.
Expanding Innovation Hubs
McCain Foods’ Innovation Hub farms serve as localized centers for testing and implementing sustainable farming techniques on a commercial scale. Dan Metheringham, North America Vice President of Agriculture and Sustainability, emphasized the significance of this initiative: “Regenerative agriculture is a core part of our mission to grow food in a smart and sustainable way.”
The new Innovation Hubs, including three potato farms and one onion farm, will address region-specific agricultural challenges such as soil erosion, water insecurity, nutrient management, and pesticide toxicity. These hubs facilitate the application and demonstration of best practices in regenerative agriculture, including cover cropping, crop diversity, irrigation innovations, advanced machinery, and nature-based solutions.
McCain’s Farms of the Future
The Innovation Hubs are an extension of McCain’s flagship Farm of the Future in New Brunswick, Canada. This farm is a testing ground for understanding the impacts, costs, and benefits of regenerative practices. At the Innovation Hubs, these insights are scaled up to address local environmental challenges, with knowledge shared through ‘Field Day’ events.
Metheringham highlighted the collaborative nature of these hubs: “Farmers are conducting commercial-scale trials so we can learn fast – and fail fast – with new practices and new varieties, then share that knowledge with local growers.” This approach allows for rapid adaptation and dissemination of successful practices, accelerating the transition to sustainable agriculture.
Evidence of Progress
The tangible progress made by McCain Foods is evident in the increasing number of farmers adopting regenerative practices. The company is building a strong case that sustainability in agriculture can be both economically and environmentally viable, ensuring supply, strong yields, and improved soil health.
McCain Foods’ expansion of its Innovation Hub farms represents a significant step towards achieving its 2030 sustainability goals. By fostering a collaborative environment for testing and sharing regenerative agricultural practices, McCain is not only enhancing the resilience of its supply chain but also contributing to a more sustainable future for agriculture.
