Latest News From Conservation

New app helps growers avoid leaving climate-smart funding on the table
New app helps growers avoid leaving climate-smart funding on the table

Farm Journal’s beta Climate-Smart Opportunity Navigator tool seeks to match growers with Climate-Smart Commodities grants tailored to their operation.

Charity run through California vineyard benefits ag conservation
Charity run through California vineyard benefits ag conservation

The third annual Race to Slow the Pace 5K and 10K fundraiser will give trail runners and community advocates a chance to help preserve farmland — and get a nice glass of wine and a bowl of paella at the same time.

Geospatial mapping to help identify threats to South Carolina farmland
Geospatial mapping to help identify threats to South Carolina farmland

American Farmland Trust is partnering with governmental agencies and advocacy groups in South Carolina to employ GIS mapping tools to predict areas at the highest risk of development in the state.

Examining carbon’s next chapter on the farm
Examining carbon’s next chapter on the farm

“If you raise 200 bu. corn with a CI score of 0, that’s $1.57 per bushel and an extra $314 in value. Now, the ethanol plant isn’t expected to share 100%, but it could be 25% to 30%," says Paul Neiffer, a farm CPA.

Commodity Programs Might See a 12% Cut in the Proposed $1 Trillion Farm Bill
Commodity Programs Might See a 12% Cut in the Proposed $1 Trillion Farm Bill

SNAP, which historically receives the greatest amount of farm bill funding, will see an 82% increase of a quarter-trillion-dollars.

Climate-Smart program rewards must outweigh risks to earn grower participation
Climate-Smart program rewards must outweigh risks to earn grower participation

Profitability and efficiency are big drivers for growers evaluating conservation-based farming practices. Each farmer who spoke at the Trust In Food Symposium said they have adopted at least one such practice, to date.

Fair World Project merges with legal nonprofit
Fair World Project merges with legal nonprofit

The move brings FWP's fair trade advocacy work in-house and will strengthen work to stymie exploitation in global supply chains and combat false claims made by certifications and brands, according to a news release.

Will leaving farmland fallow save water in the long run? New Mexico researchers given $2M to find out
Will leaving farmland fallow save water in the long run? New Mexico researchers given $2M to find out

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and other investors have awarded funds to New Mexico State University to explore potential water conservation from fallowing agricultural land in arid climates.

In extreme weather, organic farming produces higher yields, report says
In extreme weather, organic farming produces higher yields, report says

A 40-year research project by the Rodale Institute has outlined how organic agriculture stacks up against conventional practices.

Chefs champion soil health in new regenerative ag education program
Chefs champion soil health in new regenerative ag education program

In leading up to the next farm bill, the National Resources Defense Council is launching a regenerative agriculture program centered around 30 award-winning chefs advocating for healthy soils and educating consumers.

Zespri tackles how to future-proof kiwis for a changing climate
Zespri tackles how to future-proof kiwis for a changing climate

The New Zealand-based kiwi producer has released a climate change adaptation plan that outlines its strategy for reducing impact and preparing for the effects of climate changes in the coming years.

One Nebraska Farmer Says Improving Soil Health Helped Keep Her on the Land
One Nebraska Farmer Says Improving Soil Health Helped Keep Her on the Land

In a moisture deficit area like southwest Nebraska conservation and regenerative practices have long been a staple for farmers.  That's important especially in drought years like 2022. 

3 Big Carbon Questions For Farmers
3 Big Carbon Questions For Farmers

The future of voluntary carbon markets for agriculture is still coming into focus. As such, farmers continue to assess the landscape and weigh their opportunities.

5 Conservation Needs to be Met in Farm Bill 2023
5 Conservation Needs to be Met in Farm Bill 2023

In preparation for farm bill 2023, the House Ag Committee met on Tuesday to grasp the highs and lows of the current farm bill and fill any gaps in 2023.

Stealth SEC Climate Rule Could Create Chaos Down on the Farm
Stealth SEC Climate Rule Could Create Chaos Down on the Farm

There's a stick, a big stick, with potentially big consequences for those involved in the value chain—all the way down to the farm gate.

You Can’t Product Your Way Into Good Soil Health
You Can’t Product Your Way Into Good Soil Health

Adam Jones, a conservation agronomist at MFA Inc., came on The Scoop podcast to share how he helps farmers implement an entire system of soil health, conservation, and yield success on their farms.

Purdue Warns Against Planting Callery Pear Trees
Purdue Warns Against Planting Callery Pear Trees

According to Purdue University, the tree easily spreads to forests and parks, where it crowds out native plants at a rate that has earned it a spot on the invasive species list.

John Phipps: What Solar and Electric Can Learn From Recent Wind Energy Woes
John Phipps: What Solar and Electric Can Learn From Recent Wind Energy Woes

Opponents of wind energy may be encouraged by the financial difficulties of the industry, since wind generated electricity costs are now rising after years of being driven lower by new technology and competition.

Dirty Boots Advocacy: Farm Journal Announces Carbon Council
Dirty Boots Advocacy: Farm Journal Announces Carbon Council

These charter members bring a range of expertise and the drive to share the financial and ecological benefits of carbon programs. 

Texas rural land values rose again in 2016, marking six consecutive years of increases, according to data gathered by the Texas Real Estate Center (REC) and Texas A&M University.
White House Will Recruit Rural Land For New Clean Energy Projects, Could it Create Too Much Competition for Land?

The Biden Administration is deploying money and resources to ramp up clean energy projects across rural America. The White House says the plan taps federal lands to install wind, solar and geothermal energy projects.

White House Will Push China to Make Up for $16B Trade Deficit in Phase One, Vilsack Tells American Farm Bureau
White House Will Push China to Make Up for $16B Trade Deficit in Phase One, Vilsack Tells American Farm Bureau

AFBF's in-person annual convention focused on everything from H-2A workers, drought, supply chain chaos and policy changes like the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed the group Monday.

Food Waste is a Growing Problem in the U.S.
Food Waste is a Growing Problem in the U.S.

A new report shows over one-third of the food produced in the U.S. is never eaten. Not only does this waste resources used to produce food, but it also creates a myriad of environmental impacts, EPA said. 

DC Signal to Noise: Inflation's Slice of Thanksgiving Pie
DC Signal to Noise: Inflation's Slice of Thanksgiving Pie

Build Back Better heads to the Senate while Conservation Credit Corporation allocates $27 billion to conservation. Plus, when will the EPA announce RFS mandates?

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McDonald’s Commits $5 Million to Accelerate Climate-Smart Farming Solutions

McDonald’s is committing $5 million and partnering with AgMission, a global collaboration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture and to develop and implement climate-smart farming solutions.

From Historic Conservation Funding to Farmer Debt Relief, Who Will Pay for Biden's Revised Build Back Better Plan?
From Historic Conservation Funding to Farmer Debt Relief, Who Will Pay for Biden's Revised Build Back Better Plan?

Biden's new Build Back Better plan could have a sweeping impact on ag. The plan provides a boost to biofuels and conservation efforts and expands USDA's proposed minority farmer and rancher debt relief by $6 billion.

$1B to Biofuels in Build Back Better
$1B to Biofuels in Build Back Better

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Rep. Cindy Axne joined AgriTalk with host Chip Flory and Pro Farmer Policy Analyst Jim Wiesemeyer recently to comb through President Biden’s reframe of the Build Back Better (BBB) plan.

Rabo Carbon Bank Takes Pilot Program to Three States, Partners with Continuum Ag
Rabo Carbon Bank Takes Pilot Program to Three States, Partners with Continuum Ag

Cristian Barcan: “Feeding the world more sustainably is about continuous improvement. Every farm has a unique sustainability journey that has defined their success as a contributor to the food supply chain thus far”

4 Questions Farmers are Asking about Carbon Markets
4 Questions Farmers are Asking about Carbon Markets

As growers wade through the ever-deepening amount of carbon information available in the marketplace, they are asking for answers to these common questions.

Soil-As-A-Service Startup Aims to Reboot Land’s Natural Potential
Soil-As-A-Service Startup Aims to Reboot Land’s Natural Potential

“Our goal is to be the center of gravity for soil health. This is the beginning of a mega trend of a shift to regenerative ag and a focus on soil health,” says Peter Williams, MyLand CEO.

Brian Maxted
For Earth Day, while some look to hug a tree, let’s not forget to kiss the ground

For those of us fortunate to be working in the agriculture industry, our everyday is Earth Day. We have a connection to the earth unlike any other.

Q&A: Regenerative Ag Trends With Dirt To Dinner’s Lucy Stitzer
Q&A: Regenerative Ag Trends With Dirt To Dinner’s Lucy Stitzer

Walmart and Danone are among the companies announcing public commitments to help farmers transition to regenerative agriculture systems. Here’s what that means for producers, says Lucy Stitzer, Dirt to Dinner founder.

Larger Farm Journal Initiative Focuses On Conservation, Education
Larger Farm Journal Initiative Focuses On Conservation, Education

The Voice of the Farmer is a new exhibit located on the National Mall. It's just one component of a larger initiative called, “America’s Conservation Ag. Movement.”

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High-Tech Conservation

Digital tools save water, soil and more.

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What is Your Current Conservation Situation? (INFOGRAPHIC)

It turns out conservation practices vary quite a bit by region. 

buffett meets with farmers
A Conversation with Howard G. Buffett

Illinois farmer and world-renown philanthropist Howard G. Buffett shares his perspective on the need to adopt practices that can help feed the world’s hungry.

covercropspanel WCCA
Putting Cover Crops to Work on the Farm Takes Time, Patience

Three U.S. farmers share the highs, lows and memorable moments of implementing cover crop strategies on their farms.

soil speaker WCCC
Restoring Degraded Soils Improves Human Health and Well-being

World Congress on Conservation Agriculture speaker says putting conservation practices in place can help restore soil productivity on degraded farmland.

chesapeake bay
Study: States Short on Some Chesapeake Bay Goals

While strides have been made in reducing pollution in the watershed, many jurisdictions in the six-state region are falling short in cutting contaminants from agriculture as well as urban and suburban runoff.

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A Global Perspective

Conservation technology and sustainability take center stage

Find Your Footprint

Sustainability is still an elusive industry watchword.

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Industry Fires Back at AP Ethanol Story

A major point of contention is The Associated Press' estimates of new land used to grow corn for ethanol.

Habitat for Honeybees

The pollinator project is an initiative in functional biodiversity—the idea that best management practices can support commercial agricultural practices and the environment at the same time.

Guest Commentary: The Challenge of Going Beyond Sustainability

Simply achieving “sustainability” is not good enough. We must have the research, technology and production practices to go beyond sustainability.

p46 Rough Waters Still Ahead
Rough Waters Still Ahead

Even though the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed rock removal on the Mississippi River earlier than expected, water levels remain precarious.

p44 Pivot Pushers
Pivot Pushers

Giving attention to the dirty work of irrigation tires can help farmers reduce compaction and provide long-lasting operation with minimal maintenance cost.

Soil Health Report
Give Your Soil a Physical Exam

A complete physical exam can give you the piece of mind to keep doing what you’re doing, or it could uncover areas of concern. Soil is no different.

Ray Weil
Roots of Soil Knowledge

Ray Weil sees a brighter future for farmers with the emphasis on soil organic matter and building it with the use of cover crops.

pC12 Banking on Biofuels 1
Banking on Biofuels

Corn stalks that don’t completely decompose during the winter interfere with spring planting but can a new cellulosic ethanol plant turn those tough cornstalks into cash?

What Makes Healthy Soil?

No matter how much management, labor and fertilizer you apply, and regardless of the quality of seed you plant, it’s the soil that underpins how much food and fiber you produce.

pD7 Crop Tech Manage Carbon in the Soil Bank
Manage Carbon in the Soil Bank

Researchers at North Carolina State University and USDA–Agricultural Research Service (USDA–ARS) are studying the way carbon moves in and out of the soil and its role in how much carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere.