Insights and Opinion Archives

Rethinking Agricultural Waste for a Circular Food Economy

There’s more to our food than meets the eye, writes Kent Swisher of the North American Renderers Association (NARA) in a guest blog for SustMeme.

Raising the Bar in Wheat and Livestock Farming in South Dakota

At Jorgensen Land & Cattle in Ideal, South Dakota, innovation and tradition go hand in hand.

USSA Interview: Independent of Political Shifts

Environmental protection and sustainability have lost significant importance under the current U.S. administration. However, Nick Gardner, Chair of the U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA), believes this will have little impact on the alliance’s long-term goals.

Water Stewardship in U.S. Agriculture: Innovations for a Changing Climate

Read the latest USSA Insight Paper: Water Stewardship in U.S. Agriculture

Six Predictions for U.S. Soy Trade in 2026

What does 2026 hold in store for U.S. Soy, given macro trends, shifting business dynamics, policy changes and long-term investments? Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, highlights the forces he believes will shape U.S. soybean exports this year.

USSA’s EU Outbound Mission: A Week of Insights and Collaboration

Jennifer Wilson, policy advisor, reflects on the U.S. Sustainability Alliance’s recent outbound mission to Europe.

The Vital Link between Pollinator Protection and Agriculture’s Future

As almond blossoms cover the landscape in California’s Central Valley, honeybees arrive from across the United States.

Land Grant Universities Continue to Shape American Agriculture

Land-grant universities were established by President Lincoln through the Morrill Act of 1862.

Bright Spots for Sustainable Agriculture

Can agriculture meet the demands of a growing world population while ensuring environmental sustainability? Daniel Lapidus, Director of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems at RTI International, highlights important trends on both the supply and demand sides that suggest we are heading in the right direction.

Balancing Planet and Profit in Southeast Arkansas

Glynn and Ruth Gibson from southeast Arkansas are a small but mighty force in American ranching. Their cattle operation may be modest, but their dedication to conservation and innovation is anything but.

Introducing Maine’s Forest Management Champions

After more than three decades of tree farming, Jay and Kathryn Libby have won the 2025 Maine Outstanding Tree Farm Award.

The Virginia Family Farm Conserving Centuries of Stewardship

The Ellis family - Benjamin, Shannon and their son Tripp - farm in the environmentally sensitive and highly regulated Chesapeake Bay Watershed.