Henry Recognized for Environmental Work for ICGA

November 23, 2021
A woman in a red sweater is holding a wooden plaque with the number 20 on it.

Margaret Henry, Director of Sustainable Agriculture for PepsiCo, was honored by the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) at their annual meeting on November 23rd for her commitment to farmers and their farming practices as PepsiCo considered their own sustainability goals and how to meet them.

 

PepsiCo has been a proud partner with IL Corn’s Precision Conservation Management (PCM) program for the past four years. The company enjoys PCM as a trusted farmer partner, as they work to help keep Illinois farmers resilient into the future.

 

“PepsiCo is going above and beyond the vast majority of ‘sustainability’ commitments by not only working on our own operations, but also working hand in hand with the farmers who supply us to make progress together on issues that matter to communities worldwide,” said Henry.

She continued, “At PepsiCo, we focus on working with our farmers to find ways that “sustainability” benefits everyone who grows, makes and eats everything from Doritos to Naked Juice, Quaker Oats to Lays Potato Chips, and Pepsi to Tropicana.”

 

 PepsiCo is committed to working in partnership with the farmers in their supply chains and views PCM as a critical partner in that journey.

 

“It is extremely valuable to have the partnership of such an influential company as farmers work through PCM to meet the world’s conservation and sustainability goals,” said Randy DeSutter, family farmer and President of ICGA. “Without partnerships like PepsiCo, and without the staff leadership of folks like Ms. Henry who truly understand farming and farming practices, Illinois farmers would not be making the significant changes on their farms that will impact the way food is grown for the future.”

 

Henry was born on a dairy farm in Kentucky. She has spent her life and career working to improve social, economic, and environmental outcomes for rural communities around the world. She has a BA and BS from Brown University, training from Massachusetts Institute for Technology in System Dynamics, and a Master’s in Public Policy from Princeton University focused on Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy.

 

As the Director of Sustainable Agriculture at PepsiCo, she works on their strategy to partner and expand climate resilient and regenerative farming practices around the world. She believes that the most enduring change comes about when aligning diverse partners with different expertise and driving outcomes through finding shared value from the farmer to the environment to the consumer.

Award winners from 2025 ICGA Annual Meeting
By Lindsay Croke • October 30, 2026
IL Corn's Annual Meeting to be Held 11/24
collin and jared
By Brownfield & Tara • October 29, 2026
Illinois FFA State VP Collin Johnson shares how the IL Corn checkoff partnership builds the next generation of ag advocates.
Sharon Chung, Gracie Pierson, and Rod Weinzierl
By Lyndi Allen • October 29, 2026
IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) connected with lawmakers and candidates this month through farm visits, renewable fuel events and bioeconomy investments.
sky
By Aerterra and Tara Desmond • October 29, 2026
Illinois ranks 48th for air quality but indoor air is often worse. See how corn-based ethanol and PLA air filters help Illinois breathe easier.
picture of corn at harvest
By Tara Desmond • October 29, 2026
6 Illinois farmers share memories during harvest
Rep. Eric Sorensen hosting an E15 press event with IL Corn and Illinois Farm Bureau
By Lyndi Allen • October 29, 2026
Illinois drivers face higher gas prices than the national average. Learn how ethanol and year-round E15 access could lower costs, support farmers, and boost demand for Illinois corn.
Show More