Feeding and Fueling the World

BY RICK DEADWYLER

INNOVATION AND IMPACT are central pillars of every strategic choice we make at Corteva. From drought-resistant corn and rice that slashes water usage, to home-grown biofuels and new AI and digital solutions, we work every day to transform agriculture and feed and fuel the world’s growing population. We’re proud to have deep roots here in Delaware, an innovation hub with a storied tradition in agriculture.

At Corteva, we are, first and foremost, a technology company. In fact, we invest nearly $4 million every day in sustainable innovation to deliver meaningful impact to farmers around the world.

Our scientists are not only solving today’s challenges, but constantly looking ahead — more than 10 years ahead — to anticipate what growers will need to increase their productivity while addressing a changing climate, new pest and disease pressures, and a growing population.

Food is getting harder to grow. But despite the challenges facing modern agriculture, just like the farmers we serve, we are ever optimistic.

Agriculture is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades, driven by the growing demand for sustainable solutions — including precision plant breeding technologies, like gene editing — to grow more food while using fewer resources. One of our standout achievements in gene editing is producing corn that is resistant to four major diseases that cause more than $1 billion in annual yield loss in North America.

Our scientists recently unlocked one of the largest agricultural technology disruptions in decades to boost wheat productivity. Our all-new, proprietary wheat hybrid system has the potential to increase yield by 10% while using the same amount of land. That’s a win for farmers, food security, and sustainable agricultural production.

We’re also innovating in the latest crop protection tools, like natural biological products — derived from materials like beneficial bacteria and enzymes — to help farmers improve yields, manage stress, and adapt to changing regulatory and consumer demands.

As one of the world’s largest biologicals companies, we’re proud to be leading this growing trend. One of our biological products, Utrisha™ N, is a nature-based solution that provides supplemental nitrogen to crops, helping improve plant health and yield potential.

We’re working to help meet the growing demand for biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel. Last year, we expanded our Winter Canola biofuel feedstock program to help create value for farmers while mitigating the potential impact of biofuel feedstock expansion on cropland currently used to grow food and feed for livestock.

In 2020, we committed that 100% of newly developed Corteva solutions in our pipeline would meet our sustainability criteria aligned with U.N. Sustainable Development Goals by 2025. We’re proud to report that we met this milestone ahead of schedule, with 100% of our pipelines for the last two years aligning with this goal.

And, as we say at Corteva, we’re just getting started.

Our commitment to agriculture goes far beyond the farm. We’re especially proud of our local initiatives here in Delaware that raise awareness around food systems and food security, particularly among youth.

We actively support small farm operations and community garden projects in partnership with organizations like the Food Bank of Delaware and Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware — both of which I’m honored to serve as a member of the board of directors. These collaborations are making a real difference in our communities.

Corteva also invests in impactful community partners, including the Delaware Center for Horticulture, Delaware Nature Society, and the WRK Group (REACH Riverside). One of our team’s favorite activities is volunteering to build school gardens with Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids — a hands-on way to grow the next generation of food and sustainability advocates.

In addition, we are proud supporters of Delaware FFA and LEADelaware and their legacy-building work in developing future leaders in farming and agriculture. We also contribute to STEM education through partnerships with the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, FAME, and Winterthur Museum and Gardens, recognizing that innovation in agriculture is deeply rooted in science and technology.

We fund scholarships for agriculture students at Delaware State University and remain proud partners and major contributors to the United Way of Delaware.

At Corteva, we’re honored to be part of Delaware’s vibrant community, working side by side with local farmers, educators, and changemakers who are helping shape the future of sustainable agriculture both here and around the world.

Rick Deadwyler oversees government and industry affairs for Corteva’s U.S. East Region.