Goals
1
Upcycle orchard Wood Waste
CMI Orchards is committed to a zero-burn pledge, no longer burning removed wood from owner orchards, which is the standard industry practice. Instead, tree wood is chipped and used in 14 acres of worm farms where it is transformed into nutrient-rich worm castings used back in our orchards.
Reduces air pollution
Contributes to soil improvement
Sequesters carbon dioxide
2
Grow Carbon-Negative Fruit
CMI Orchards is officially producing carbon-negative tree fruit. This is made possible by regenerative agriculture practices in our orchards and at The Soil Center.
Carbon that is absorbed and stored in our soil through regenerative practices exceeds the emissions associated with growing fruit, making our fruit carbon-negative
Promotes regenerative agriculture practices
Generates Verra verified carbon credits
Sequester Carbon
3
Sequester 2 million metric tons of CO2e by 2030.
Use regenerative practices in our orchards (compost, biochar, and worm castings application, and others)
Pull carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the ground (sequestration)
The climate equivalent of removing over 100,000 vehicles from the road each year
Sell Insets
4
Sell carbon credits as supply chain insets to offset emissions associated with growing our fruit by 2028.
Regenerative practices pull carbon from the air and store it in the soil
By storing more carbon than we emit, fruit is carbon-negative
Verra-verified carbon credits generated through The Soil Center project
Credits are insets when sold within the supply chain, promoting collaboration and helping partners to decarbonize
Generate Credits
5
Generate 1 million verified carbon credits per year by 2030.
Regenerative practices pull carbon from the air and store it in the soil
Every metric ton sequestered (saved in the soil and not emitted into the atmosphere) = one carbon credit
Improve soil health with products from The Soil Center, strengthen crops, and create a Planet Positive™ footprint
Reduce Emissions
6
Cut absolute scope 1 emissions by 30% from a 2025 baseline by 2030.
Scope 1 emissions are generated directly from our operations (fleet miles, natural gas usage)
Reduce emissions by upgrading our vehicle fleet with hybrid and electric models wherever possible
Use natural Fertilizer
1
Meet 75% of our nitrogen needs from natural materials by 2028.
Through The Soil Center, we are creating nutrient-rich compost, biochar, and worm castings to grow fruit with less carbon and more care.
Avoid commonly used synthetic fertilizers that produce greenhouse gases
Create nutrient-rich soil amendments that supply nitrogen to the soil
Increase Biodiversity
2
Establish a plan to increase soil biodiversity by 15% compared to conventionally farmed land by 2027.
Healthier soil means healthier trees and a healthier planet, benefiting our food systems from roots to fruits.
Phase One: Select a study site, develop treatment and soil sampling plans, identify third-party partners.
Phase Two: Begin sampling soil, continue treatment, and analyze data
Establish Nutrient Testing
3
Launch a micronutrient density benchmarking program beginning in 2026.
Phase One: Select a study site, develop treatment and harvest plans, identify third-party partners
Phase Two: Begin sampling fruit, continue treatment, and analyze data
Sell Soil Amendments
4
Offer premium soil products to growers throughout our region by 2026.
Help outside farmers and growers improve soil health in their crops and orchards
Supply custom regenerative products from The Soil Center like compost, worm castings, and biochar, to improve soil health and boost plant growth
Launch CONSUMER Brand
1
In October 2025, we launched a retail brand focused on marketing our carbon-negative and environmentally beneficial fruit.
Offer transparency (on our data and growing practices) to build a trusted brand
Clearly communicate the powerful role food plays in reducing carbon
Launched website: www.planetpositivefood.com
2
Launch an Annual Report
Release an annual sustainability report beginning in 2025.
From soil innovations to carbon reduction achievements, our report is designed to be transparent, informative, and inspiring.
Highlight greenhouse gas inventory
Report on progress towards our sustainability goals
Discuss regenerative and sustainability practices taking root across our orchards
Educate Growers
3
Establish ongoing grower education beginning in 2026.
Our growers are at the heart of everything we do. We’re committed to regularly sharing updates with our growers.
highlight the evolving science on soil sequestration, on-farm innovations, real world applications, and financial implications
2025
Upcycle 100% of Orchard Wood Waste
Grow Carbon-Negative Tree Fruit
Launch Consumer Brand
Launch Annual Sustainability Report
2026
Educate Growers on Regenerative Agriculture
Establish Nutrient Testing Benchmarks
Sell Soil Amendments
2027
Establish Plan to Increase Biodiversity
2028
Sell Insets to Supply Chain Partners
Use Natural Fertilizers
2030
Reduce Absolute Scope 1 Emissions
Sequester 2 Million Metric Tons of CO2e
Generate 1 Million Carbon Credits Annually