Information Center

Insight, news and views

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.

Insights and Opinion

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

Latest Reports

The Economic Value of Corn Farming in the United States for 2024

June 2025. An evaluation of the economic value generated by corn farming in the United States in 2024, with a breakdown by state.

Download now

Dairy Delivers: 2025 Economic Impact Study of the U.S. Dairy Products Industry

June 2025. A comprehensive report quantifying the U.S. dairy industry’s economic contribution to the U.S. economy at national, state, congressional district and industry segment levels.

Download now

Economic Outcomes of Soil Health and Conservation Practices on U.S. Cropland

June 2025. A look at the challenges U.S. farmers are facing when making decisions about soil health practices, including new insights into how often these are adopted and their impact on crop agriculture profitability.

Download now

The 2024 United States Agricultural Export Yearbook

May 2025. A detailed overview of U.S. agricultural exports in 2024, highlighting key export markets and top-performing commodities.

Download now

Latest News Articles

USSA Newsletter: July 2025

USSA News: Bright spots for sustainable agriculture, U.S. Soy's competitive edge, and more

Read more

USSA Senior Policy Adviser David Green Retires

After 13 years of exemplary service, David Green is retiring from his role at the U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA). Many of us know David as a driving force behind USSA, helping grow its membership from just eight to 28 organizations and shaping its direction with vision, knowledge and creativity.

Read more

Field to Market Awarded $700,000 to Advance Sustainable Agriculture

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture® has received a two-year grant of $700,000 from the Walton Family Foundation.

Read more

How Do U.S. Soybeans Compete on the World Stage?

Amid shifting political and global dynamics, how do U.S. soybeans perform on the world stage? A new article in Illinois Field & Bean, by the Illinois Soybean Association, explores the advantages that American soybeans offer over their closest rivals.

Read more

Policies and Regulations

U.S. LAWS AND REGULATIONS

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.

READ MORE

U.S. CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

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.

READ MORE

U.S. SUSTAINABILITY LAWS

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.

READ MORE

Latest Podcasts

EP8- FARMING HERITAGE: RESPECTING TRADITION, EMBRACING CHANGE

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.

LISTEN NOW

EP7- FORESTS AND THEIR ROLE AS A NATURAL CLIMATE SOLUTION

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.

LISTEN NOW

EP6- FROM JET FUEL TO BEER: NEW USSA PODCAST UNCOVERS INNOVATIVE USES FOR FOOD WASTE

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.

LISTEN NOW

Recent Videos

Wood in Architecture: Building with U.S. Softwoods [2/2]

Discover how softwoods were used in the architecture of PDX Main Terminal, Portland, Oregon, in this new series from the Softwood Export Council.

Watch now

Wood in Architecture: Building with U.S. Softwoods [1/2]

This new series from the Softwood Export Council spotlights the global reach and versatility of American softwoods in architecture, offering a behind-the-scenes look at sustainable forestry practices.

Watch now

Industry Excellence Video Series

This new series from the American Feed Industry Association explores the $267 billion U.S. animal food industry, offering insights into its scale and impact. 

Watch now