Diestel Family Ranch Becomes First Certified Regenified Turkey Brand

SONORA, Calif. — Diestel Family Ranch, a family-owned U.S.-based producer of sustainably raised turkeys, announced it has become the first turkey producer to achieve Regenified certification, a global provider of regenerative agriculture verification. Regenified's seal is the first third-party regenerative program to be recognized and accepted by USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services for single and multi-ingredient products. As part of this certification, Diestel sourced more than 650 tons of Certified Regenified corn earlier this spring.

Diestel Family Ranch was founded in 1949 by Grandpa Jack Diestel. The family said it has always prioritized the health of their birds and thoughtful farming practices. In 1999, Diestel was one of the first poultry farms to incorporate organic farming practices.

To achieve Regenified certification, Diestel met Regenified's 6-3-4 Standards, which include soil health, adaptive stewardship and ecosystem processes. Regenified's certification process will help Diestel track its progress in advancing regenerative principles to improve biodiversity, soil health, water quality and nutrient density.

"Every aspect of being a farmer impacts the world around us, and feed is a critical part of raising poultry. If we ignore the animals' feed sources, then we can't solve for the future," said Heidi Diestel, fourth generation farmer at Diestel Family Ranch. "Addressing how the feed is being grown will bring the entire system closer to a regenerative state that supports the future of farming and our planet. We want to support the next generation now because their future depends on it, both ours and yours."

Diestel's regenerative practices include:

• Certified Regenified feed for bird and soil health: Regenerating the soil at Diestel starts by feeding the birds corn grown by local U.S. farmers. Earlier this spring, Diestel sourced 650 tons of Certified Regenified corn. The brand has set a goal to replace half of its feed with Certified Regenified corn by 2035.
• Natural habitat for birds: In their natural habitat, turkeys prefer to roam amongst the trees in deeply shaded forests. Diestel has begun work to replicate this environment giving all birds access to open land and has planted over two miles of evergreen, perennial shrubs, grasses and flowering trees to promote biodiversity. These plants attract beneficial insects, improve water quality and are a key component to creating a diverse landscape as well as restoring ecosystem function. 
• Compost for soil health: Diestel turns its organic waste into valuable, nutrient-dense compost, diverting 2,117 tons annually from landfill and producing roughly 6,350 tons of compost for local use. The compost creates a healthy, diverse environment for microbiology to thrive no matter where it's used.
• Probiotics over traditional chemicals: Diestel's farms use beneficial biology (probiotics) which eliminates the need for traditional chemicals such as chlorine while improving bird health and supporting a healthy ecosystem on the farm and beyond.
  

"Diestel is leading the industry into the future," said Salar Shemirani, CEO of Regenified. "Their commitment to regenerative agriculture extends beyond the farm and the environment, positively impacting the entire supply chain through off-farm purchases of regenerative feed."

"For 75 years, my family has committed to more holistic agriculture practices that not only support the best habitat for turkeys raised on our farms, but also consider the impact on the land used," said Diestel. "Regenified certification is an important recognition of what has always differentiated Diestel turkeys from mass-produced poultry products. We lead with the strictest animal welfare and environmental standards to produce the leanest, cleanest and most delicious birds."