CHICAGO — Plant-based, renewable ingredient manufacturer Primient announced July 20 that Nestlé Purina has joined its sustainable agriculture program. Purina will sponsor 200,000 acres of corn grown in the United States as part of Primient’s program.

Primient’s sustainable agriculture initiative includes almost 1.5 million acres of corn. The company partners with Truterra, LLC, one of the largest farmer-owned cooperatives in the United States.

“Scaling sustainable agriculture truly requires many partners,” added Jason Weller, president of Truterra. “It takes farmers and their trusted advisors, agriculture retailers, as well as committed value chain partners such as Primient and Nestle Purina. Truterra is honored to be working alongside these groups to make an impact on sustainable grain production.”

Truterra uses innovative technology to aid growers in measuring the environmental impacts of their agricultural practices, which allows farmers to make more informed decisions on resource usage. Through Truterra and Primient, farmers can also monitor crop and soil health throughout the growing season.

“We are thrilled to partner with Purina to achieve our mutual sustainability ambitions: supporting sustainable agriculture, while also supporting Nestlé Purina’s net zero commitment,” said Laura Kowalski, global sustainability manager at Primient. “We are committed to driving measurable impact at the farm level, which is helping to increase sustainable farming practices throughout the value chain. This partnership is a great example of our principles in action.”

According to Purina, joining Primient’s agriculture program is in line with its net zero commitment to reduce its environmental footprint throughout its supply chain.

“Purina is proud to support farmers’ leadership on sustainability as we continue bolstering our agricultural initiatives across the country,” said Jack Scott, vice president of sustainable sourcing at Nestlé Purina. “Partnerships with reputable organizations like Primient and Truterra enhance our sourcing of sustainable ingredients critical to feeding 51 million dogs and 66 million cats each year and promote conservation.”

Read more about sustainability efforts in the pet food and treat industry.