McDonald’s on Monday announced plans to invest $200 million over the next seven years to promote regenerative agriculture practices on cattle ranches, the Associated Press reports.
The company said its investment was its largest to date in support of such practices. It has also funded regenerative projects on Canadian and European potato farms.
Regenerative techniques work to conserve water, improve soil health and reduce the need for synthetic chemicals and fertilizers.
On cattle ranches, this means moving cattle frequently to allow the land to recover, producing more grass with deeper roots which take more carbon from the air to improve the soil.
McDonald’s said its investment will help bolster regenerative grazing, as well as water and wildlife conservation, on ranches across 4 million acres in as many as 38 states.
The company is working with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which will independently award competitive grants to organizations assisting participating ranchers.
