April 27, 2024

Spotlight Stories

Spotlight 1 – Forbes asks if U.S. farmers have been slow to take up sustainable practices. Check out the story, here.

Spotlight 2 – Iowa Capital Dispatch notes that “it’s getting worse”…the U.S. is failing to stem the tide of harmful farm pollutants. Check it out, here.

Spotlight 3 – Our World in Data publishes a review on the effectiveness of global policies associated with reducing environmental impacts of agriculture. Read the article, here.

Industry Updates

A grant offering $3 million in funding is available for farmers in California looking to improve their soil health. The Central Sierra Healthy Soils program provides free technical assistance and financial resources and is available to small agriculture producers and family farms in eight counties: Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Sacramento. The hope is to fund about 50 projects over four years. [link]

Four research and outreach projects have been funded through the new Agricultural Climate Resiliency Program, a partnership among Michigan State University, the Michigan Plant Coalition, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The program, which began in 2024 and is administered by MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension, was created to address long-term climate- and water-related challenges in plant agriculture. Overall, research will examine topics such as plant and soil health, carbon sequestration, efficient use of water and protection of water resources. Results will be shared with growers across the state through MSU Extension. In 2024, the State of Michigan provided a one-time $5 million allocation for a competitive grants program, which supports each of the four new projects at roughly $1.25 million over three years. [link]

Patagonia Provisions and Aslan Brewing Company together are launching the World’s First Regenerative Organic Certified IPA, available on draft at the brewery’s Bellingham and Seattle locations for a limited time. Patagonia Provisions x Aslan Brewing Co. World’s First Regenerative Organic Certified IPA is made with Regenerative Organic Certified Kernza, Regenerative Organic Certified Pilsner Malt from Breathe Deep Farm in New York’s Hudson Valley, and organic Chinook Hops and Strata Hops from Washington’s Roy Farms. To become Regenerative Organic Certified, the highest standard for organic agriculture in the world, this beer had to meet stringent requirements for soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. The Patagonia Provisions x Aslan Brewing Co. World’s First Regenerative Organic Certified IPA is the very first ROC beer. [link]

The growing consumer demand for organic and sustainably produced food items has resulted in increased scrutiny of pesticide residues and stringent organic certification requirements, which in turn is creating solid anticipated growth prospects for the pesticide detection market. This market is valued at US$ 1,892.78 million in 2024 and is anticipated to surpass a valuation of US$ 3,049.50 million by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 4.90% during this time. Digital technologies and data analytics are a key part of the pesticide detection product offering, transforming workflows by improving data management, analysis, and decision support. Laboratory automation of sample monitoring, data processing, and reporting duties can be achieved using cloud-based platforms, LIMS, and data analytics tools, enhancing workflow efficiency and ensuring regulatory compliance. [link]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said this week that it had detected viral particles of H5N1 avian influenza in milk purchased at grocery stores, but the agency says it still believes that the milk is safe to drink. In an update about an ongoing outbreak of bird flu in cattle, the FDA noted that it believes the viral particles were detected by highly sensitive lab tests and are likely to have been remnants of viruses killed during the pasteurization process. The agency said that it does not think it is likely that the particles would be able to infect people but it is conducting additional tests to be completely sure. [link]

Ugg has reached its goal to support one million acres of grasslands across 80 sheep farms in Australia. The milestone comes a year ahead of schedule and only four years after the brand established a long-term partnership with Land to Market and Savory Institute to support regenerative agriculture. The partnership started in 2021 when Ugg established a $3.3 million grant with the Savory Institute. The grants were used to develop programs that work to protect and reverse environmental degradation through agriculture aimed at restoring soil, encouraging wildlife diversity, capturing carbon in the ground, and improving land health for future generations. [link]

A workshop was organized by the office of the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) in India this week, recognizing the need for innovation and revitalization of agroforestry in a region that has long adopted only traditional farming methods. The workshop titled “Reimagining Agroforestry in Meghalaya: The Need for Strengthening and Rethinking” was jointly organized by the Centre of Excellence, the Community-led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP), IORA, and the Government Innovation Lab (SCEP). In addition to identifying the best sustainable agroforestry models across diverse agro-climatic regions of Meghalaya, the workshop dwelt on integrating optimal tree growing and agricultural practices, exploring strategies to enhance existing plantations/agroforestry models or develop new ones, fostering cross-department collaboration to create a stakeholder ecosystem for expanding the benefits of carbon finance through agroforestry, and outlining the requisite support needed for successful agroforestry implementation in Meghalaya. [link]

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York announced that as part of record funding being invested in the State’s agricultural stewardship programs, $28.75 million is now available for on-farm projects through the Climate Resilient Farming grant program. Round 8 of CRF provides critical funding that helps New York’s farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect water, ensure soil health, and increase on-farm resiliency to the effects of a changing climate. Under the Governor’s leadership, the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget provides $81.8 million through the Environmental Protection Fund, up $4 million from last year, for agricultural programs and initiatives, such as Climate Resilient Farming grant, that are helping farms to implement environmentally sustainable practices and combat climate change. [link]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, wanting to limit the spread of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, announced that it has mandated testing of HPAI for interstate movement of dairy cattle. The Federal Order becomes effective April 29. Before interstate movement, dairy cattle must receive a negative test for influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory. Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing. The steps immediately become required for lactating dairy cattle. The requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile. [link]

Barry Callebaut, the world's largest chocolate supplier, has launched the Future Farming Initiative (FFI) to build a high-tech and sustainable cocoa farming business under the leadership of Steven Retzlaff, president of Global Cocoa. The group will establish the investment company, FFI, which will be wholly owned by Barry Callebaut, and develop technology and R&D capabilities to be scaled. Barry Callebaut said that FFI intends to be a catalyst for others to invest in farming and create partnerships with farmers to modernize sustainable cocoa farming at scale. [link]

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announced the launch of a new action-oriented, country-focused initiative to reduce the need for antimicrobials on farms, amid the growing threat posed by Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the food and agriculture sector, impacting terrestrial and aquatic animal health, plants and the environment and causing significant economic losses to farmers across the globe. The initiative aims to provide countries with policy support, technical assistance, capacity building, and knowledge sharing to help reduce the need for antimicrobials in livestock production, prioritizing animal health and welfare, mitigating environmental impact, and enhancing food security and nutrition, thus helping to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. Working together with governments, farmers, private sector and civil society organizations and other actors, it will promote the “5 Gs” at the farm level: Good Health Services, Good Production Practices, Good Alternatives, Good Connections, and Good Incentives. [link]

In a landmark collaboration, the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) are teaming up to advance foundational research in agricultural robotics. The agencies are issuing a new Dear Colleague Letter to solicit visionary research proposals to develop robots with the potential to revolutionize farming practices. The collaboration stems from a shared recognition of the critical role that robotics can play in addressing challenges in agriculture and food production, such as increased demand for food and the need for precision agriculture practices. By leveraging resources from both agencies, NSF and USDA seek to foster interdisciplinary research that will tackle agricultural challenges and increase sustainability. [link]

In Case You Missed It…

In late March, Microsoft and climate solutions provider, The Next 150, announced that they have signed a 6-year offtake agreement, with Microsoft purchasing 95,000 tons of carbon removal credits generated by a new biochar production facility in Mexico. See more, here.