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From Opinion and Insights to the latest in technologies and news straight from the fields, here you will find information about the produce and work of our members and their innovation in U.S. farming, fishing and forestry.
Healthy soils are the foundation of productivity and climate resilience, as highlighted by USSA’s David Green and Maite Caballero in an article for Open Access Government.
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As the world convened for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) to address some of the most pressing global challenges, the leather industry came to the table with a solution, not a problem. Kevin Latner of the Leather & Hide Council of America elaborates in an exclusive article for the USSA.
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Farmers are under increasing pressure due to climate change, global conflicts, and trade disruptions. However, advances in plant breeding offer hope, writes Andy LaVigne, the President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA).
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Tarik Eluri, sustainability manager at the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), a founding member of the U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA), recently discussed U.S. sustainable agriculture with Spain’s Fundación Antama – a non-profit that promotes new technologies for agrifood and the environment.
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December 2024. This report outlines the characteristics of America’s diverse farms and ranches, including ownership, financial performance and precision agriculture adoption, based on an annual survey.
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December 2024. A comprehensive overview of the California almond industry in the 2023/24 crop year, including industry statistics, sustainability progress and Almond Board of California program updates.
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November 2024. This report identifies the practices that offer the greatest potential for reducing emissions in U.S. agriculture in five key areas. These range from soil carbon management to efficient energy use.
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October 2024. An update on the Trust Protocol over the past 12 months. The report covers grower participation and progress across key sustainability metrics, from resource efficiency to soil health
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Art Schultheis, a fifth-generation wheat farmer from Colton, Washington, firmly believes in taking care of the land. With an ever-growing population and shrinking land base, Art says that growing crops sustainably is more important than ever.
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The U.S. Soy industry has updated its national sustainability continuous improvement goals to meet the growing demand for sustainably produced soy. Using 2020 as the benchmark, the new goals build on a history of sustainability improvements.
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In December (2024), a delegation from the U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA) visited the UK, Belgium and The Netherlands to discuss climate-smart agriculture with government and industry stakeholders.
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Family farms are the backbone of U.S. agriculture, accounting for 96% of operations and 83% of production in 2023.
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Whilst the USSA members work to exceed regulatory requirement, U.S. laws and regulations provide a robust framework, developed over many years, to ensure and promote the sustainability of its crop, livestock, seafood and forestry sectors. The policies look to immediate impacts on the environment and beyond to cover topics from employment to biodiversity to endangered species. The following pages provide context and an introduction to key federal legislation.
Focused on conservation and environmental stewardship, the USDA, working with The Natural Resources Conservation Service on technical assessment and the Farm Service Agency for enforcements, uses grant management to deliver best practice. A particular focus is on erodible lands and wetlands, with ‘sodbuster’ and ‘swampbuster’ rules, requires presentation of conservation strategies prior to conversion of lands to agricultural use. One result, that soil loss has been halved since 1982.
The U.S. recognizes that sustainability has many facets and action is required in explicit areas. This has resulted in the enactment of a wide range of laws from the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act to the Endangered Species Act, to research and regulatory action on Insecticides and Fungicides and Rodenticide Act; and, with the Lacey Act a focus on illegal trafficking of plants, fish and animals.
In the latest episode of This is U.S. Sustainability, we hear from two multi-generational farmers – an eleventh-generation grains farmer from Maryland and the owner of a centennial cattle farm in Louisiana – about how they have moved with the times while staying true to their roots. We cover rotational grazing, no-till cultivation, water conservation, biotech seeds, and more. And we discuss why going back to the natural cycle is sometimes the best approach.
Tune in to the latest episode of This is U.S. Sustainability to hear how Paul Catanzaro and Professor Tony D’Amato work together to reach family forest owners and ensure they have the information and resources to make the right decisions about their land. And learn about the vital role Tim Stout, a Vermont landowner, plays in amplifying their message.
Tune in for the lowdown on the innovative, often surprising ways the almond industry and the wider food sector are reducing waste. Jet fuel, beer, water filters and peat moss to grow mushrooms – these are just some of the many applications in use and under development.
Hear directly from noted seafood chef and author Barton Seaver about the sustainability of the American lobster industry.
Watch nowThe new Rewind documentary series from Real Leather Stay Different. aims to provide some balance in the debate about the use of our land, fast fashion and our future.
Watch nowThis video highlights the emphasis on sustainability by the U.S. beef industry. Watch this story of beef farmers’ and ranchers’ multi-generational commitment to the environment with buyers and consumers around the world.
Watch nowBefore you leave, please consider taking our survey.
We want to find out how you think the U.S. is performing in terms of sustainability, what you’re interested in finding out more about, and where you think we should focus our resources.
Your views will help shape the future and ensure we deliver key insights on the most important issues to our site visitors.
Take our survey
