Gideon Kotkowski

This is something worth applying serious thought in the agricultural real estate space. A good organic matter soil could repay the land cost rather quickly. Building organic matter is directly proportional to farm productivity and profitability and it could take up to several years to build organic matter levels in depleted soils. It could actually be a very good tool to make informed decisions when purchasing agricultural lands.

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Show don’t tell – that’s the golden rule of writing. No matter if you’re presenting or drafting a LinkedIn post – walking the talk is always more impactful.     I’ve been talking a lot about Bayer’s vision for the future of farming over the last few months. Now I’m excited to show what regenerative agriculture actually looks like in practice, as we at Bayer take you on a field trip around the world! In a series of four regional events, we will showcase how farmers are already “producing more and restoring more” with practices and solutions that form part of a regenerative agriculture system. This journey will take us to Latin and North America, Europe and Asia. Together, we’ll be visiting farms big and small, in different climatic zones and featuring different crops. But while these farms differ greatly from one another, they have one important thing in common: they all show us that innovation and digital technology, when combined as an entire system of solutions, are the power engine driving the transformation of agriculture toward a more sustainable future.     Last week, we kicked off our global tour in Brazil. The Vick family invited us all to their newly launched Bayer ForwardFarm Fazenda Estancia close to Sao Paulo. Join them on the ground and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ez6tYMui   #RegenerativeAgriculture

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One of our mobile market partners has been highlighted by the Modern Farmer publication! 🙌 Check out this article about how GoFarm Colorado is tackling two sides of the food system - by focusing on farmer development and access to healthy, affordable food. https://bit.ly/4cM5Eym #FoodAccess #FarmersTruck #MobileProduceMarket #MobileFarmersMarket

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DNA soil sampling???? You bet!!!! Sign up to hear about my experience with Biome Makers Inc. for growing #hemp. #covercrops #industrialhemp #notill #regenerativeagriculture.

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While farm balance sheets may currently look good on the surface, many small and medium sized farms continue to struggle. What will it take to help them thrive? One of InCommon Group's clients, The Carrot Project, is featured in this morning’s NYT article: “I think in some ways they’re in a worse position than before the pandemic,” said Benneth Phelps, executive director of the nonprofit Carrot Project, which advises small farmers in New England. “We see a lot of farmers making hard decisions right now about whether to stay in or get out, because they’ve run out of steam.” The article points out the merits of the IRA’s $20 billion in conservation funding aimed at helping farmers fight climate change and become more resilient. Additional funding from ARPA has been aimed at helping farmers, including $400 billion for the development of Regional Food Business Centers. But the sad reality is that the current draft farm bills from both the House and Senate largely maintain the status quo – bolstering big agriculture at the expense of small and medium sized operations. We need more market access for diversified and regenerative farmers, too. Our friend, Nebraska farmer Graham Christensen, was also quoted in the article: “We don’t have anywhere to go with those [high-value] products when we’re done,” Mr. Christensen said. “Those are the markets we want, and we don’t have a way to get there.” Massive reform is needed if we are to turn the curve on the declining number of farmers and the ever-increasing consolidation–and to improve consumer’s access to healthy, regenerative food.  We truly need a BIG movement to make the changes needed to ensure a resilient, deconsolidated, diversified, accessible, and abundant food system for all. https://lnkd.in/eBe9wap7.

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Boosting Efficiency with the Cattler App Cattler aims to help cattle producers improve efficiency. The app covers tasks like feeding, health tracking, animal movement, finances, and more. It works with RFID tags or visual IDs. Key features include: * AutoSort - sorts cattle automatically based on weight as they move through chutes * Feeding - manage feed inventory, rations, and bunk readings * Health - track treatments and assign to animals * Layout - visualize pens and cattle locations * Costs - get real-time visibility into expenses and profit/loss Users say Cattler saves huge time on calculations and paperwork. The data integrates across modules, so changes sync automatically. Whether you have a small or large herd, it brings useful automation and data insights. The app supports operations from cow-calf through feedlot finish. And the CEO and co-founder, Ignacio Albornoz, welcomes producer feedback for constant improvement. If you're looking to modernize your cattle management, Cattler could be a helpful tool. The goal is to give ranchers an easy-to-use, one-stop shop. Read more about how it's already delivering efficiency gains for some producers. #cattler #cattlemanagement #ranchingtech #agtech

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As a follow-up to a previous conversation about the role of precision agriculture in promoting regenerative ag, I want to make you aware of the PRECISE Act, which is being incorporated into both the House and Senate versions of the US Farm Bill. This article points out the recognition that precision ag also has a role to play in reducing the climate impact of agriculture. While the article is about the House version of the Farm Bill, this effort is bipartisan and bicameral. Sen. Klobuchar and Sen. Fischer are the two primary sponsors of the PRECISE Act in the Senate. House Farm Bill Includes Measures To Expand Precision Agriculture -- POLITICO PRO May 8, 2024 Meredith Lee Hill “The House farm bill includes bipartisan measures to boost precision agriculture, a key priority for House Agriculture Democrats in ag-heavy districts. House Agriculture Chair G.T. Thompson’s (R-Pa.) draft bill currently incorporates language to expand access to precision agriculture based on legislation sponsored by House Ag committee member Don Davis (D-N.C.) and supported by a swath of other House Ag Democrats, according to an overview of the policy Thompson shared Wednesday. Thompson plans to hold a markup of his farm bill draft on May 23. Precision agriculture practices deploy tools like soil sensors and GPS to help producers more efficiently grow and produce food, while reducing the use of farm inputs, which aims to save producers money and reduce the amount of chemicals sprayed on fields… Notably, the House bill incorporates language from Davis’ bipartisan Promoting Precision Agriculture Act of 2023 to establish a partnership between the federal government and private sector to create voluntary standards and prioritize cybersecurity needs for precision agriculture technologies… The draft farm bill will also help rural entities expand their use of precision agriculture practices, including by financing the purchase of such technologies. That effort is based on language from Rep. Ashley Hinson’s (R-Iowa) PRECISE Act, which House Ag Democrats Davis, Sharice Davids (Kan.), Angie Craig (Minn.), Yadira Caraveo (Colo.), Nikki Budzinski (Ill.) and Eric Sorensen (Ill.) have all signed onto as cosponsors… The House farm bill also incorporates precision agriculture into the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, a popular conservation program, in a way that maintains flexible and locally-led conservation programs.” Read More

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ICYMI: This week with Jack Algiere, we’re delving into the common “root” between farming and systems change. Discover how to embrace complexity and flourish within a complex ecosystem. 🌱 🎧: https://lnkd.in/e5srz2Ug

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President Joe Biden's administration is offering farmers money for adopting practices that store carbon in the soil to fight climate change, but Reuters interviews with soil science experts and a review of U.S. Department of Agriculture research indicate doubt that the approach will be effective. Farm practices like planting cover crops and reducing farmland tilling are key to the USDA's plan for slashing agriculture's 10% contribution to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions as the U.S. pursues net-zero by 2050. Ethanol producers also hope those practices will help them secure lucrative tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) passed in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). https://buff.ly/3Q5oHLk

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🌱💡 Elevating Farming Practices: Insights from Shannen Barrett 🎧 In our latest episode of The Ag Culture Podcast, Shannen Barrett emphasizes the strategic role of subsidies: "Subsidies should support the adoption of best practices and technologies in agriculture." Join Shannen as she discusses how targeted subsidies can be a powerful tool for advancing agricultural methods, supporting sustainable practices, and encouraging farmers to integrate cutting-edge technologies. This episode explores how well-designed financial support can propel the agricultural sector toward efficiency and environmental stewardship. 🔊 Tune in to hear more about the potential of subsidies to transform farming for the better. The episode is available to listen on all main platforms: https://lnkd.in/g85SqSwP #AgCulturePodcast #AgCulture #Ag #Agriculture #Nuffield #Subsidies #AgSubsidies #Practices #Technologies #ShannenBarrett #AgriculturalSubsidies #FarmingInnovation #Innovation #Farming #Farmers #SustainableAgriculture #ListenNow #NewEpisode

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As a long-time advocate for sustainable practices, I find the ongoing innovations in the beef industry incredibly promising. Recently, I came across an article in the Washington Post by Tamar Haspel that discussed soil carbon sequestration in beef production. It highlighted how sustainable farming practices can mitigate the environmental impact of beef, an industry often criticised for its carbon footprint. The Canadian beef industry, for instance, has made remarkable strides. They have managed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% per kilogram of beef since 2014, aiming for a 33% reduction by 2030. This progress is due to improved feed efficiency and faster growth rates, which require fewer resources like land, feed, and water . Globally, organizations like the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef are setting ambitious goals. They are working towards a 30% reduction in the net global warming impact of beef and ensuring the beef value chain is a positive contributor to nature . These efforts underscore a critical point: sustainable practices in beef production are not just about reducing emissions but also about preserving biodiversity and supporting ecosystems. Grazing cattle, for example, play a vital role in maintaining native grasslands and supporting wildlife habitats. It’s encouraging to see such significant steps being taken. However, there is still much work to be done. Sustainable beef production must continue to evolve, integrating new technologies and practices to further minimize its environmental footprint. The future of our planet depends on our ability to balance human needs with environmental stewardship. As consumers, we can support these efforts by choosing sustainably produced beef and advocating for policies that promote environmental responsibility in agriculture. Together, we can drive change and ensure a healthier planet for future generations. #SustainableBeef #CarbonSequestration #ClimateAction #GreenAgriculture

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What happened this week in regenerative agriculture? 1. Advocacy Groups Urge Congress to Prioritize Conservation 2. USDA Funds Study on Grazing Living Mulches to Boost Soil Health and Farmer Income 3. EU and UN Invest €15 Million to Enhance Sustainability of Uganda's Forestry Sector 4. Trace Genomics Announces $10.5 Million for DNA-Based Soil Intelligence 5. “Farm as a Service” Thailand Startup Will Regenerate Your Soil Anything else to add? Comment below! Read more at TWIRA! #regenerativeagriculture #regenerative #regenerativenyc #business #news

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As Congress digs into the Farm Bill, I wrote a piece for Agri-Pulse Communications about why perennial crops, managed grazing, and agroforestry are so important for 21st century agriculture🐄🌳🐄 I believe the U.S. needs better economic options for farmers at all scales, and the 2024 Farm Bill is a key opportunity to secure those opportunities. Read the full piece, and share your thoughts! https://lnkd.in/gW2Eczva #ag #farmbill #agroforestry

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The Senate and House released drafts on their frameworks for the farm bill... My understanding: The U.S. Senate’s Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act signals a potential transformation in animal welfare and sustainable farming. The proposal includes groundbreaking support for transitioning factory farms to more humane, climate-friendly operations, and mandates public reporting on farm animal depopulation, contrasting sharply with controversial measures from the House that could undermine state regulations on animal confinement. With significant implications for farm animals, companion animals, and horses, advocates see a critical opportunity to influence future legislation. This document, posted by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, details support from several stakeholders. https://lnkd.in/dXpfwAzH #regenerativeagriculture #farmbill #policy #agriculture #business

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Mineral winds down, climate smart Ben and Jerry’s, and do $156 melons taste sweeter? Planet and Deere have layoffs, 1M acres wiped out from Midwest flooding, and the Chevron doctrine ruling’s impact on ag. When I talk to #agtech founders, I can sense a huge amount of pride in what they are doing. They believe in it, they want others to believe in it, and they feel an obligation to do it. But agtech has obligations to meet. I’ll outline those in this week’s newsletter. #agriculture #startups #obligation #innovation #agtechfriday #obligated #agtwitter https://lnkd.in/gpxR-Yvj

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Calling all Central Oregon producers! Share your thoughts on organic farming and certification to earn $50! We're working with Oregon Tilth through the Transitioning to Organic Partnership Program to understand farmer needs, challenges, and successes in organic farming. 🌱 What we're exploring: - Views on organic farming & certification - Reasons for or against certification - Farming practices & inputs - How you communicate practices to buyers The survey takes about 20 minutes, and your responses will remain confidential. At the end, please provide your information to receive your $50 stipend! Findings will be shared with Oregon Tilth as part of the Transitioning to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) to identify needs in our region and how TOPP can support local farmers. Head to hdffa.org/organic-survey to participate! Interested in learning more about organic certification, the transition process, mentorship, and events? Visit organictransition.org 🌿

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Often times, farmlands remain underutilized when only a single type of crop is cultivated. Krish-e educates farmers about a groundbreaking solution: Intercropping! Intercropping, a form of polyculture, involves growing two or more crops in close proximity. Its primary aim is to maximize yield on a given land by efficiently utilizing available resources. Strategies include planting deep-rooted crops alongside shallow-rooted ones or combining tall crops with shorter ones needing partial shade. Krish-e advocates for intercropping adoption to empower farmers with abundant harvests. #SmartFarming #KrishE #AgriTech #CropDiversity #FarmersFirst #AgriculturalGrowth #ResourceUtilization

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I don’t understand the fascination with so-called #agtech #venturecapital media advisory / analytics experts and their hype - when they have dozens of investments and not a single succesful exit ever? They make fun of silicon valley and other investors? They think they know the agtech industry? Raising a fund is no different than a startup getting funding - it looks like success but the reality really hasn’t shown up yet. Unless you have a big exit you haven’t arrived. Right? If you don’t have the experience on investment exits - quit acting like an expert - because you arent one. Our investors are late in their careers - they have had many successful funds - with many successful exits. They get almost zero media hype. When we ask the questions they have stories - not ideas. It gives me confidence. Are you confident with your investors?

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