Erica Campbell’s Post

I think our only answer is to GO AROUND current systems favoring BIG AG by our government. If they won't do it, we will have to band together to get private financing and engineer market access for the good food producers. HOW is the question. From my POV this must start with more consumers ready to offer support. Let's spread the word every chance we get!

Yesterday Red Tractor confirmed it will not progress with implementation of any new standards or additional modules until the NFU's independent review, focusing on Red Tractor's governance, is completed. In this morning's Footprint analysis (published before yesterday's announcement) I argue that the rationale behind Red Tractor developing a standalone environment module (the 'greener farms commitment') is sound enough since the core standards already benefit from having a green veneer in the eyes of some members of the public despite environment and welfare requirements being only marginally higher than the UK legal baseline in many areas. However, the lack of consultation with producers over the new module risks exacerbating existing power imbalances within food supply chains. This is clearly a retailer-driven initiative, supported by major players including Tesco, and designed to simplify the assurance process for grocers. Yet it feels like the kind of top-down, command and control approach that the burgeoning regenerative farming movement is seeking to change. As I write: "The exclusion of producers from its development does not suggest the voice of the farmer will be on a par with that of their corporate customer. Indeed, for all its worthy intentions, the greener farms commitment looks suspiciously like an attempt by large businesses to exert greater control over the means of production." Interested to hear what others think and whether such a standard can indeed be a force for good? Vicki Hird Simon Billing Dan Crossley Duncan Williamson Catherine C.

"Turing Challenges into Opportunities: Creating Sustainable Strategies and Pathways for Smallholder Farmers in the Agrifood System": Smallholder farmers play a crucial role in the agrifood system, but they often face numerous challenges that hinder their productivity and livelihoods. However, by adopting sustainable strategies and pathways, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth and resilience. This essay explores innovative approaches to empower smallholder farmers and create a sustainable agrifood system. 1: Leveraging Technology One way to empower smallholder farmers is by harnessing the power of technology. Digital platforms and mobile applications can provide farmers with access to vital information on weather patterns, market prices, and best agronomic practices. By equipping farmers with these tools, they can make informed decisions, optimize their farming techniques, and enhance productivity. 2: Promoting Climate-Smart Practices Climate change poses a significant threat to agriculture, especially for smallholder farmers. By promoting climate-smart practices, such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and water management techniques, farmers can adapt to changing climatic conditions and mitigate environmental impacts. These practices not only improve resilience but also contribute to sustainable farming systems. 3: Strengthening Market Linkages Access to markets is crucial for smallholder farmers to earn a fair income. Creating strong market linkages, such as farmer cooperatives, direct trade agreements, and inclusive value chains, can help farmers bypass intermediaries and secure better prices for their produce. Additionally, providing training on quality standards and post-harvest handling can enhance market opportunities for smallholder farmers. By turning challenges into opportunities, smallholder farmers can thrive in the agrifood system. Leveraging technology, promoting climate-smart practices, and strengthening market linkages are key strategies to empower these farmers and create a sustainable future. Through these efforts, we can enhance agricultural productivity, improve livelihoods, ensure food security, and foster positive social and environmental impacts. Hussain K. Salami

👩🌾🌾 US government supports sustainable farming. Vertical Harvest Farms has secured $59.5 million in project financing for its 51,000-square-foot hydroponic vertical farm in Westbrook, Maine. The farm aims to produce 2.5 million pounds of fresh, leafy greens annually, aligning with the New England Food Vision's goal of locally producing 30% of the region's food by 2030. The project also reflects Vertical Harvest's commitment to providing meaningful employment for people with disabilities, while ensuring fresh greens are delivered from farm to fridge within 24 hours, reducing nutritional loss and food waste. This financing includes $25 million and $23,795,000 loans utilizing USDA Rural Development Business & Industry Loan Guarantees and Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Loans. Additionally, an $8,655,189 Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) loan, the first in Maine, and $2 million of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding through the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) are part of the funding mix. Borrower and partner contributions of $19,189,210 are also included, with support from partners such as Crossroads Impact Corp, Enhanced Capital, Waterside Commercial Finance, Inc., and Maine Technology Institute. Vertical Harvest's financing model, piloted in Wyoming and now proven in Maine, paves the way for future farms, such as the company's next facility in Detroit, Michigan, developed in partnership with Bedrock. By leveraging public-private partnerships alongside private capital, the company aims to relocalize production of perishable produce closer to consumers while delivering outsized impact, inclusively. This array of funding underscores the industry's shift towards project-level financing, highlighting the importance of diversifying food production, leveraging technological innovations, and shortening supply chains for a sustainable future. Learn more in the full Newswire article: https://lnkd.in/g4EUwcpS #ForwardFooding #agtech #verticalfarming #sustainability #agriculture #farming

Earlier this year, McCain Foods launched their 2023 Sustainability Report. The annual report demonstrates the progress McCain has made in smart and sustainable farming methods and reinforces its commitment to implement regenerative practices across 100% of its potato acreage by 2030.    The report announced that more than 50% of the farmers managing McCain’s global potato acreage were onboarded with its Regenerative Agriculture Framework, with 28% of farmers also moving up the framework towards more comprehensive adoption of regenerative practices.    McCain is accelerating the adoption of sustainable farming practices through its direct relationship with farmers— a network of 3,500 partners around the world – as well as its research taking place at industry-leading Farms of the Future in Canada and South Africa.    “Our goal is to help drive the transition to making our food and agricultural systems more sustainable and resilient,” says Max Koeune, President and CEO of McCain Foods. “Our work on regenerative agriculture is central to our efforts in this space."   You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gFKZVbi9

Regenerative agriculture is a complex system requiring considerable technical skill, costly inputs, and multi-year planning. It increases risk for the farmer. For most small farmers, the system is very difficult/impossible to implement. Time to really evaluate the applicability of the system for most farmers and stop citing the “success” of resource-rich, committed farmers and social proselytizing people pushing this system. There are 600 million small farmers in the world, most of which could not implement regenerative agriculture. https://lnkd.in/e6pt4cp8.

In the News ➪ Voice of the US Farmer 2023–24: Farmers Seek Path to Scale Sustainably New research by McKinsey & Company, based on perspectives from nearly 500 U.S. farmers, reveals that while a vast majority (90 percent) of US farmers have an understanding of sustainable farming, the uptake of practices remains low. Even where farmers are adopting sustainable practices, they are only implementing them on a small share of their acreage (typically less than 30 percent). The research outlines a positive outlook for the future of sustainable farming, with farmers showing willingness to adopt, but major barriers to adoption still remain, namely obtaining a market premium for sustainably grown crops and implementation difficulties. Read more from McKinsey & Company here ➪ https://lnkd.in/e6rs2j5X #regenerativeagricultrue #regenerativefarming #sustainablefarming #farmers #farmersurvey

“The National Agricultural Statistics Service, shows that as the average size of farms has risen, the nation had lost 544,000 small scale farms since 1981. Even though the US continues to produce more food on fewer acres, the loss of small farmers has weakened rural economies. The plan in a nutshell: Multiply and improve revenue streams to bolster farm balance sheets. Rather than just selling crops and livestock, farms of the future could also sell carbon credits, waste products and renewable energy. Much of the money is aimed at reducing carbon emissions, and so will also go toward large farming operations because they are the biggest polluters. Wholesale crop prices are expected to decline over the coming year. Rising interest rates have made it more difficult to finance planting and harvesting, borrow for an expansion or just get into agriculture — especially since land values jumped 29 percent from 2020 to 2023. The smallest farmers are far less likely to be tapped into Department of Agriculture assistance programs and are more vulnerable to adverse weather, labor shortages and consumer whims. That’s where the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law come in. The laws have collectively provided about $60 billion to the Agriculture Department, which has parceled it out across a variety of priorities. The biggest chunk — about $19.5 billion — has breathed new life into subsidies to encourage conservation practices that improve the land, like cutting back on plowing and planting cover crops to sequester carbon in the soil. Some of that money — in combination with another Agriculture Department pot for renewable energy — will be used to buy a $2.9 million methane digester at Savage View Farm, a 700-heifer dairy in Grand Isle, Vt. Another $3.1 billion will pay farmers who are willing to do a bit more monitoring, verification and reporting to build out the science of what actually works to reduce carbon emissions. The hope is that producers can charge a premium for goods advertised as climate-friendly. Consumers say they’re willing to pay more, and in Europe, many food companies are under regulatory pressure to source ingredients with a smaller carbon footprint. And $300 million to help historically marginalized and aspiring farmers — including Black, Hispanic, recent immigrant and Native American growers — gain access to land. The program was vastly oversubscribed, and the money has now been parceled out to nonprofits across the country that are building community land trusts, helping heirs gain clear title to family land, and technical assistance to those just getting started.”

Going beyond tradition: Cox Farms Cox Farms, a new venture from Cox Enterprises, is making waves in the agriculture industry by prioritizing sustainability and innovation. With its recent launch, Cox Farms reinforces its commitment to revolutionizing traditional agriculture through the adoption of indoor farming technologies. This initiative aims not only to ensure a sustainable food supply, but also to promote environmental conservation and support local communities. By partnering with leading farming companies such as Mucci Farms and BrightFarms, Cox Farms is leading the movement toward more efficient and environmentally friendly food production methods. By implementing best practices for indoor growing, Cox Farms achieves consistent growing conditions, higher yields and eliminates the need to use harmful chemicals or pesticides. This not only ensures the production of high-quality, nutrient-rich products, but also minimizes the impact on the environment. Mucci Farms CEO Bert Mucci emphasizes the shared values and vision behind this partnership, emphasizing their mutual commitment to innovation and sustainability. Likewise, BrightFarms CEO Steve Platt emphasizes the importance of using shared resources to increase access to locally grown, healthy food while prioritizing ...

Once a farmer always a farmer!! In the vast expanse of our modern world, where technology and innovation often take center stage, it's crucial to pause and appreciate the timeless significance of farming—the humblest of professions. While navigating the intricacies of our daily lives, it's easy to overlook the profound impact that farmers have on our well-being, our communities, and the very fabric of our existence. When I got my hands deep into soil then only I realised that the farming extends far beyond the mere cultivation of crops, it is a holistic way of life that involves a deep connection with the land and a profound understanding of nature's rhythms. From the rhythmic cadence of plowing fields to the tender care given to each seed planted, farmers exemplify resilience, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to sustenance. In every furrow they plow, in every seed they sow, farmers lay the foundation for the nourishment of the world. Their toil under the sun, the nurturing of crops through unpredictable weather, and the constant adaptation to changing agricultural landscapes make them the unsung heroes of our global community. Beyond the produce that graces our tables, the agricultural sector serves as the backbone of countless economies, providing livelihoods for millions. It fosters the growth of rural communities, connecting people through a shared reliance on the harvest. Farmers not just bring food to tables but provide hope to communities as they bridge the gap between those who sow the seeds and those who reap the benefits. Yet, for all their contributions, farmers often face formidable challenges. From climate uncertainties to economic pressures, their journey is marked by unpredictability. The agrarian lifestyle demands a unique blend of tradition and innovation, where age-old practices harmonize with cutting-edge technologies to meet the demands of a growing population. In celebrating the humblest of professions, let us not only acknowledge the laborious efforts of farmers but also advocate for sustainable practices that preserve the integrity of our environment. The choices we make as consumers and policymakers reverberate through the agricultural landscape, influencing the future of farming and the well-being of our planet. So, here's to the farmers—the custodians of our sustenance, the stewards of our landscapes, and the architects of our food security. In their calloused hands and weathered faces, we find a profound connection to the very roots of our existence. As we enjoy the fruits of their labor, let us remember the profound truth that without the toil of the farmer, the harvest would be but a distant dream. #UnclutterFoodAgriculture #Farming #Agriculture #Gratitude