Science-Based • Global Impact
Advancing Circular-Regenerative Agriculture for a Resilient Future
Circular Planet Institute provides models, tools, and partnerships that help farmers, food companies, investors, and policymakers transform food systems — from linear to circular and regenerative.
Our vision
Build globally resilient circular‑regenerative food systems that deliver profitable, nature‑based agricultural outcomes.
Our mission
We empower farmers, auditors, and partners with science‑based tools, models, and programs that accelerate the transition to circular‑regenerative agriculture.
Circular Planet Institute (CPI) is dedicated to accelerating the transition to circularity and regeneration in food systems. We believe solving today's climate, resource, and food security challenges demands systems transformation — closing resource loops, restoring ecosystems, and building resilience for future generations.
Innovate
Develop AI-powered tools and science-based platforms for circular agriculture
Research
Cutting-edge research on circular-regenerative agriculture and climate-smart practices
Collaborate
Partner with farmers, CPG companies, insurers, and investors for holistic strategies
Educate & Advocate
Webinars, training programs, and thought leadership for practical circular solutions
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FOUNDER'S NOTE
From Farm Boy to Food Systems Innovator
Circular Planet Institute is where my personal story meets global purpose — a place where science, community, and innovation come together to regenerate the future of food."
Dr. Isaac Mpanga
Founder, Circular Planet Institute
Dr. Isaac Mpanga grew up on a farm in Ghana, where soil wasn't just dirt — it was life. His journey from classroom teacher to scientist and executive has been driven by science, purpose, and a deep desire to transform food systems from linearity to circularity.
With an MS and PhD from the University of Hohenheim (Germany), a faculty position at the University of Arizona, and leadership roles at PepsiCo and Yara North America, Dr. Mpanga founded CPI in 2022 to bridge the gap between academic research and practical, global impact.
He is the author of Circular Agriculture and currently teaches graduate-level Food System Transformation at Unity Environmental University.
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VERIFIED CIRCULAR-REGEN PROGRAM
Transform Your Farm with Circular Agriculture
The central hub for VCR applications, resources, and directory. Sign up to submit your application, track your verification status, or explore our global registry of partners.
Producers/Farmers
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Intake Application
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Form Renewal Form
Brands/Food Chain
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License Application Form
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Renewal Form
Auditors/Certification Bodies
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Auditor Application Form
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Renewal Form
VCR Resources
Ability to upload pdf documents
Registry
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VCR Farms (A map showing VCR farm locations and details)
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VCR Brands/ Food Chain (List of companies and their VCR products)
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VCR certifying bodies/auditors (A map showing Auditors locations and contacts)
THE PROCESS
Your Journey to Verification
A simplified five-step process from application to receiving your VCR seal, guided by our Circular Agriculture Platform.
Farm Assessment
Complete your farm assessment in the Circular Agriculture Platform (CAP).
Apply & Submit
Submit your application with the Producer License Agreement and supporting documents.
CPI Review
CPI reviews your application and prepares a customized action plan.
External Audit
Independent Verification Partner conducts on-site audit and submits findings.
Certification
CPI awards your Verified Circular-Regenerative™ certificate. Congratulations!
HOW WE HELP
Specialized Services
We work with stakeholders across the food value chain — from farmers to Fortune 500 companies — to design and implement circular-regenerative strategies.
Circular Agriculture Consultancy
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Farmers/Ranchers
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Consultancy-Pricing Page
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Corporate/NGO
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Government
Consulting & Strategy
Embed regenerative principles into corporate supply chains and ESG strategy.
Sustainability Measurement and Reporting
Request for more information
Capacity Building
Request for more information
Research
Request for more information
Government Contracting & Compliance
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Request for more information
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Capability Statement PDF
PROJECTS
Backed by Science, Funded for Impact
Explore the institutional grants, research awards, and federal funding that validate and power our work to transform global food systems.
PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS
Circular Agriculture Consultancy
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Awarded by USDA — Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) as Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDV)
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Award / delivery order: 12639524D0079 (IDV established from solicitation 12639524Q0175).
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Award Ceiling / potential value: $249,000.
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Award Duration: 2024 to 2029
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Performance Location: Edinburg, Texas
PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS
Corn Cob
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Awarded by USDA — Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) as Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDV)
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Award / delivery order: 12639525D0023.
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Award Ceiling / potential value: $1,821,109.50
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Award Duration: 2025 to 2030
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Performance Location: Edinburg, Texas.
PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS
Agar Agar powder
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Awarded by USDA — Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) as Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDV)
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Award / delivery order: 12639525D0069
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Award Ceiling/potential value: 1,000,000
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Award Duration: 2025 to 2030
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Place of Performance: Edinburg, Texas
RESEARCH AWARDS
Topic: Promoting climate-smart agricultural practices among underserved small-scale farmers in Arizona using farmer participatory research
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Funding Amount: US$1,153,886
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Funding Agency: USDA_NRCS Conservative Innovative Grant.
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Principal Investigator: Isaac Mpanga, PhD
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Funding Year and Duration: 2022 (4 years)
RESEARCH AWARDS
Assessing Soil and Plant Health Response to Composted and Solarized Grape Pomace with manure in Semi-arid Soil
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Funding Amount: US$575,000
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Funding Agency: USDA_NIFA Organic Transition Grants
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Principal Investigator: Isaac Mpanga, PhD
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Funding Year: 2021 (3years).
PUBLICATIONS
Transforming Food Systems from the Ground Up
Explore our active research, community initiatives, and collaborative projects driving the transition to circular, regenerative agriculture worldwide.
Potato production in the United States: Two-decade update and future sustainable pathways.
On-farm land management strategies and production challenges in United States organic agricultural systems
Cropland, Competing Land Use, and Food Security Implications: Seven-Decade Case Analysis of USA
Grape pomace’s potential on semi-arid soil health enhances performance of maize, wheat, and grape crops
Fishpond Water Potential on Vineyard Soil Health: An Exploratory Study of a Circular System
Adaptation of resilient regenerative agricultural practices by small-scale growers towards sustainable food production in north-central Arizona
A Decade of Irrigation Water use trends in Southwestern USA: The Role of Irrigation Technology, Best Management Practices, and Outreach Education Programs
Soil Health Assessment of Three Semi-Arid Soil Textures in an Arizona Vineyard Irrigated with Reclaimed Municipal Water
The Form of N Supply Determines Plant Growth Promotion by P-Solubilizing Microorganisms in Maize
Soil Type-Dependent Interactions of P-Solubilizing Microorganisms with Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers Mediate Plant Growth Promotion in Tomato
EVENTS
Upcoming and Past Events
Click below to see more events.
May 20-22, 2026
Virtual Knowledge Forum on Sustainable Food Systems
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April 16, 2026
Circularity and Regeneration as a Single Approach to Sustainable Potato Production
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March 27, 2026
Bringing Academia & Industry: Food System Transformation through Circularity and Regenerative Agricult...
CONTACT US
Ready to Join the Circular-Regenerative Revolution?
Whether you're a farmer seeking VCR certification, a brand looking to make credible sustainability claims, or an institution seeking partnership — we'd love to hear from you.