Rooted in Service: ADM and Living Lands & Waters Grow a Stronger Future Together
Since 2012, ADM has helped Living Lands and Waters remove over 192,000 lbs. of trash from nation's rivers
Over the past year, ADM and Living Lands & Waters have strengthened a partnership built on a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement and hands-on action. Together, the organizations have demonstrated how employee volunteerism and a common purpose can create lasting benefits for the nation's rivers, forests and communities.
Through ADM Cares, ADM's corporate social investment program, ADM has helped advance the nonprofit's mission to protect, preserve and restore America's major rivers and watersheds.
The investment has supported a variety of environmental initiatives, including tree planting efforts and river cleanups that aim to improve ecosystems while inspiring communities to become active stewards of their local environment. Since 2012, ADM has helped Living Lands and Waters remove an estimated 192,066 lbs. of trash from our nation's rivers, and since 2010, Living Lands & Waters has given 100,967 tree saplings to ADM employees as part of the organization's MillionTrees Project.
"Working side by side with others creates a connection between people, and to some of our nation's most valuable resources, our rivers," said Chad Pregracke, founder & president, Living Lands & Waters. "These are actions that help restore native ecosystems which are beneficial to the local communities that ADM employees live in. It's impressive to have employees reaching out to us about volunteer opportunities and see them genuinely excited about doing something positive for their community and the planet."
The partnership has extended far beyond financial support. Throughout the year, ADM colleagues from 64 facilities across the company's network have rolled up their sleeves to volunteer alongside Living Lands & Waters. Employees have participated in tree planting events that aim to help restore natural habitats, improve air quality and strengthen local landscapes for generations to come. Other teams joined river cleanup projects, removing debris from waterways and shorelines to help protect wildlife and improve the health of local ecosystems.
"What I appreciate most is that Living Lands & Waters doesn't just raise awareness—they take action," said Miles Merriman, lineboats manager for ARTCO-Ag Services & Oilseeds in St. Louis, Mo. "Their volunteers remove millions of pounds of trash from rivers, restore habitats, and educate people about the importance of protecting our waterways and the job opportunities in the industry. Supporting an organization that produces tangible results allows ARTCO to make a meaningful contribution beyond our daily operations."
Merriman often tells ARTCO crews about the importance of an owner's mindset. "That doesn't just apply to our equipment or our costs—it applies to the river as well. The river is our workplace. Taking care of it is simply part of being a professional mariner."
Whether planting young trees that will mature over decades or collecting trash that threatened rivers and wildlife, each volunteer opportunity contributes to a larger collective impact.
Volunteers from ADM's grain river elevator in Havana, Ill., partnered with Living Lands & Waters in June of 2026 for a cleanup activity. Teams removed an estimated 2,556 pounds of trash from the Illinois River.
"The experience leaves you with a sense of pride because you know you've helped protect the environment and contributed to a cleaner, healthier community for everyone, no matter how much was collected," said Zachary Parker, ADM Havana Grain River Elevator superintendent. "It is great to get to work with an organization that is dedicated to keeping our waterways cleaned for future generations."
The partnership reflects ADM's belief that sustainability is most powerful when it combines strategic investment with employee engagement. By supporting organizations like Living Lands & Waters, ADM is able to extend its environmental impact beyond its own operations while empowering colleagues to be active participants in conservation efforts.
"Our partnership with Living Lands & Waters demonstrates what can be accomplished when organizations and volunteers come together around a shared purpose," said Jennifer Ballinger, director, ADM Cares. "The passion and commitment shown by our employees across 64 facilities has been inspiring, and we're proud to support work that creates healthier waterways, stronger communities and a more sustainable future."
For Living Lands & Waters, partnerships with companies like ADM make it possible to expand restoration efforts and engage more volunteers in protecting natural resources. Every tree planted and every pound of debris removed contributes to healthier rivers and more resilient ecosystems.
As the partnership enters its next chapter, both organizations remain focused on growing the number of volunteers and creating opportunities for more locations to get involved. The past year has shown that meaningful environmental progress happens one project, one volunteer and one community at a time.