Get paid for new and continued regenerative ag practices.

Emmanuel Bankston’s livelihood involves both farming and representing ADM as a Climate-Smart Manager. He draws from his experiences on both fronts to help producers find their way in regenerative ag.

Growers often learn from other growers, sharing what’s worked for them and what hasn’t. Which is why Emmanuel Bankston, Climate-Smart Manager for ADM Golden Peanut Company, speaks regularly with growers on their farms to better understand their challenges and successes.

Also, as a farmer himself, he sees firsthand how regenerative ag practices and programs can benefit a farming operation. With a herd of 100 cows, he utilizes regenerative ag practices like rotational grazing. He also works with ADM Golden Peanut customers like Howard Hodge Jr. of Marianna, Florida, to help him realize additional income from implementing regenerative ag practices on his farm.

“I’m not sure how long the program has been going on,” says Hodge, “but financially it gives you enough money to put in and manage cover crops. And it works fantastic with me.”

Translating Experience to Results

Emmanuel spent his formative years working on his grandfather’s farm in Georgia. “Picking up that tradition was very important for me, as my life revolves around agriculture,” he explains. “It’s cool that I get to step foot on farms every day and then step foot on mine. It’s very rewarding.”

And it’s educational. Because he sees and experiences farming challenges firsthand, Emmanuel believes he has a deeper understanding of what farmers face when they adjust management plans to incorporate regenerative ag practices.

“I understand farming challenges such as weather, input prices, and commodity prices, which helps me relate to growers,” he explains. “I’m not speaking to them as someone trying to sell something. I’m speaking to them as a person who knows what may benefit their operation based on my experience.”

Growing with ADM re:generations™

A primary part of Emmanuel’s position is to help producers benefit from ADM re:generations, which includes programs that incentivize regenerative ag practices such as cover crops. He was part of the ADM re:generations launch in the Southeast U.S. two years ago.

While there are other regenerative ag programs available, Emmanuel believes it’s the personal, farmer-facing touch that makes ADM re:generations stand apart. “I have a farmer-facing role. When you have something new that farmers have never heard of, it’s important to have a good conversation with them about it,” he shares.

Emmanuel talks with producers about the practices they use on their farm, and if they receive incentives. “A lot of producers, especially in our area, are not involved with this type of program,” he says. “At ADM, we find ourselves in a unique position because we’re able to offer re:generations to the grower.”

Regenerative agriculture can be complicated. So, offering a simplistic way of compiling producer information and data is critical, Emmanuel stresses. “I make sure the farmer is happy with what we’re doing. Most importantly, I want to help make the process – enrollment, signup, data collection – easier and user friendly.”

Through ADM re:generations, Emmanuel has met and assisted producers such as Howard Hodge Jr. and Donald Chase of Chase Farms near Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Donald Chase was involved with the program in its first year. He is actively involved with peanut industry groups, such as the American Peanut Council, and their sustainability initiatives, which made him a great fit for ADM re:generations, explains Emmanuel. “I look up to growers such as Mr. Chase and Mr. Hodge, and I’m able to learn a lot by simply speaking with them and meeting their families.”

Moving Ahead with Optimism

Programs like ADM re:generations are the result of a growing push across agriculture to stress sustainable practices throughout the supply chain, starting with production practices.

“At the end of the day, most growers who enroll in our program want to come back because it’s another revenue stream for the farm that didn’t exist a few years ago,” adds Emmanuel.

From his experiences on the farms he visits, Emmanuel says he’s as excited about agriculture as he’s ever been.

“People make the industry. And with so many good people, smart people, and just people who care about the land and this business, the future of agriculture is bright.”