WWF and AgLaunch lead Delta farmland transformation effort
A new initiative by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and AgLaunch is reshaping agriculture in the mid-Mississippi Delta through the creation of the Delta Ag Alliance, a collaborative network of farmers, startups, retailers, and investors. The goal is to transition farmland from traditional commodity crops to high-value specialty food crops.
According to WWF’s Next California Phase III report, converting just 3% of existing farmland in eastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, and northwestern Mississippi to specialty crops by 2034 could generate an additional $3.2 billion in annual farmgate revenue. This transformation aims to revive rural economies, strengthen U.S. food security, and protect essential wildlife habitats.
“Right now, most of America’s fruits, vegetables, and nuts come from one place—California. But as droughts and fires intensify, relying on one state to produce most of our food is a gamble we can no longer afford. If we don’t plan ahead, the fallback will be plowing over more land, threatening critical wildlife habitat,” said Julia Kurnik, Senior Director of Innovation Startups at World Wildlife Fund. “Or we have the option to act now to support and invest in a too-long-neglected region with plenty of existing farmland and generations of agriculture experience, knowledge, and innovation. The mid-Mississippi Delta is ready, willing, and able to step up to secure our food supply; it’s time for the rest of the country to take notice.”
Over the past six years, WWF and AgLaunch have worked to connect Delta farmers with buyers and explore new markets. Their successful pilot project with Delta Harvest tested specialty rice that fits existing equipment but offers higher returns. Farmers planted over 20 rice varieties in 2024, producing 3.56 million pounds and earning about $1,250 per acre, compared to losses from traditional crops.
“Our work right now in the Delta is ground-zero for transforming the global food system in an equitable way through innovation and new business models that start with the farmers,” said Pete Nelson, president of AgLaunch. “What makes this region uniquely powerful isn’t just our water, land, and logistics—it’s the growing network of innovative farmers, the development of robotics and cutting-edge agtech, and a proactive investment ecosystem that fuels bold experimentation. The Delta Ag Alliance is showing how regions can build on their strengths, empower farmers, and create models for thriving, equitable rural economies.”
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