Latest News From Americas Conservation Ag Movement

Food and agriculture face a time of unparalleled change, both in the heft of the systemic issues they’re working through and in the speed at which seismic shifts will likely occur.

Farmers John and Kara Boyd share the challenges of practicing regenerative ag in Southern Virginia. John leads the National Black Farmers Association and Kara founded the Association of American Indian Farmers.

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.

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.

In the land of plenty, many people are going hungry, a problem worsened in the past year by the pandemic. The FarmLink Project is a new organization formed last spring to help change that.

When life gives you lemons, water them carefully. At least, that’s what avocado and lemon tree grower Angela Vanoni does.

More global produce marketers and retailers are taking measures to become regenerative companies.

Adapting soil health management measures can increase a farm’s yield and yearly income substantially, highlight two recent case studies from the American Farmland Trust. 

One way toward a more sustainable fruit farm is by using less of an undesirable substance until a better solution proves itself.

Circumstances have aligned to place the packaging industry to change the scope, design and sustainability of its products, marketers say.

Trees that water themselves, soil that pulls moisture from the air and various probes, sensors and automated irrigation systems are some of the innovations in use to help the agriculture industry to conserve water.

From one year to the next, it is the source of all they hope to accomplish. The ground represents crop yields, income to pay off loans and seed money invest in the next season.

Producing fruits and vegetables without applying toxic chemicals and by following other prudent growing practices can help preserve the soil and make farming possible for generations to come.

Not only does Nature Fresh Farms grow a wide selection of certified organic and conventional peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes in more than 200 acres of high-tech greenhouses, but it grows them sustainably.

Here’s how University of Connecticut Extension is providing education and engagement to local fruit and vegetable growers while also empowering young people with a stronger connection to their food.

Walmart plans to achieve zero emissions and engage in a massive conservation effort in the next two decades on its journey to becoming a regenerative company.

Join this free, virtual event to learn how you can contribute to and benefit from the fresh produce industry.

Take good care of cows, topsoil and water, and good things happen.

Los Angeles-based Shapiro-Gilman-Shandler Produce earned gold-level status under the Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) Zero Waste certification system. 

Food waste and hunger are entangled problems with a common solution, Talia Shandler of Los Angeles-based SGS Produce said about the message in the Emmy-nominated “LA Foodways” documentary.

Before the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic hit, John Williams of Williams Farms, Marion, N.Y., looked into converting to solar power.

Eva Moghaddam wants to make it easier for every family to find healthier food. It’s a value that many producers and distributors in this industry share, a value that can coincide with a healthier earth as well.

Working with farmers in Tennessee, Genera is contracting switchgrass and biomass sorghum as inputs to create compostable, sustainable packaging when its manufacturing facility comes online later this year.

The Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops and SupplyShift announced the soft launch of the new SISC Stewardship Calculator. 

What started out as a way to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and ensure a quality berry pack has resulted in a sustainable, environmentally friendly and profitable program for Oxnard, Calif.-based Bobalu Berries.

Even a company founded on using food that would otherwise go to waste can improve its sustainability practices — evidenced by the latest efforts of Hungry Harvest.

Sustainability is more than a commitment; it’s a statement, marketers say. Companies are communicating with customers and consumers about sustainable/environmentally conscious practices, they note.

Using fewer materials in packaging for fresh produce costs less in dollars as well as environmental impact, marketers say.

While package makers focus on minimizing waste that ends up in landfills, they’re also mindful to minimize biodegradable waste by developing bags, clamshells and boxes that protect product shelf life, marketers say.

Sustainability is more than a buzzword in packaging these days; it’s common sense, manufacturers say.

Sometimes there is a steep upfront cost to change the way you operate your business in order to benefit the environment. And sometimes there isn't.

Efficiency is a key part to profitability. Whether it be looking for ways to reduce labor or streamlining tasks to save time, dairy farmers are always on the hunt for new ways to become more efficient.

Dairy farm uses a variety of tools to keep their business environmentally viable.

A new survey published by Forager reveals that 29% of consumers want to eat more sustainably.

With a focus on sustainability, the Fruit Logistica Trend Report for 2020 suggests several ways the fruit and vegetable industry can help both people and the planet in years to come. 

Sustainability is nothing new for Limoneira Co., the Santa Paula, Calif.-based citrus and avocado grower-shipper.

Although it’s only been about a year since the Produce Marketing Association’s Sustainability Committee held its first meeting, PMA has long been on the cutting edge when it comes to sustainability.

Several factors came together to launch Ephrata, Pa.-based Four Seasons Produce Inc. into the sustainability arena.

California lawmakers appear poised to pass legislation that could dramatically alter the way produce is packed in the state within 10 years.

Providing an in-depth look at the produce industry in an era of unprecedented social and environmental awareness, The Packer’s Sustainable Produce Summit is May 28 at the JW Marriott Palm Desert, Palm Desert, Calif.

California vegetable operation focuses on sustainability.

New research from Farm Journal’s Trust In Food initiative looks at the growing importance of sustainability and conservation-focused products and services for the ag retail business.

Growers and retailers must adapt and adopt to purpose-driven shoppers

The consumer’s push for more sustainability in farming is forcing food companies to organize data that they have never had to pay attention to before, Johannes says.

The Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops (SISC) online calculator will take wing in February to help produce growers document and report on the sustainability practices they are using in their businesses. 

The public conversation around food waste in the U.S. has ramped up in recent years, and so has the produce industry conversation around the topic.

The public conversation around food waste in the U.S. has ramped up in recent years, and so has the produce industry conversation around the topic.

The public conversation around food waste in the U.S. has ramped up in recent years, and so has the produce industry conversation around the topic.

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.”

Edward says that SISC has attempted to create a standard way to measure metrics related to sustainability but acknowledged there is more work to be done.