Applegate Farms Targets Soil and Nutrition in New Mission Report

The 2025–26 report tracks the Bedminster-based brand’s progress in animal welfare, noting that 13.2 million animals were raised under high-standard conditions. By maintaining its "No Antibiotics Ever" policy, the company claims to have avoided the use of 9.3 tons of antibiotics. Additionally, the brand reports preventing 106,300 tons of soil erosion, a volume equivalent to the weight of roughly 62,500 midsize cars.

To build on these results, Applegate is launching two strategic pillars: Groundwork and Regenerative Health. The Groundwork platform focuses on biodiversity and farmer investment, specifically targeting habitat restoration and soil health. Simultaneously, the Regenerative Health initiative seeks to provide scientific evidence on how specific agricultural methods influence the nutrient density of food. Joseph O'Connor, president of Applegate, stated that these programs represent an effort to look beyond current standards toward a more resilient future food system.

Collaborations remain central to this expansion, including an ongoing partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa to curb chemical fertilizer use and support for the American Farmland Trust. Furthermore, the company has joined a 50-year vision project led by Wilding, which aims to establish 65 million acres of biodiversity corridors across the United States. According to Carolyn Gahn, senior director of mission and advocacy, the brand is responding to a growing consumer demand for transparency regarding the ecological footprint and nutritional impact of food production.