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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.
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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In a landmark move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Bovaer® - a feed ingredient that reduces enteric methane emissions from dairy cows - for use in the United States. What are the implications?
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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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October 2024. An update on the success of USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, which aims to expand market opportunities for commodities produced using climate-smart practices
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October 2024. An analysis of trends in agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) - a measure of how efficiently agricultural resources and inputs are used to produce output. It includes key obstacles to TFP growth and effective solutions.
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We report from November’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), where Secretary Vilsack highlighted four years of historic investments and climate-smart progress, including almost $40 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding. We also feature an exclusive article from the Leather & Hide Council of America’s Kevin Latner, discussing leather’s role as a climate solution in line with a new Leather Manifesto.
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Even your morning coffee can be sustainable thanks to USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, which aims to expand markets for commodities produced using climate-smart practices. One of the 135+ projects benefitting from this innovative program can be found in the mountains of Puerto Rico.
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Tennessee cotton grower Bob Walker was named Farmer of the Year at Field to Market’s 2024 Sustainable Leadership Awards for his outstanding conservation efforts and leadership in advancing sustainable agriculture
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At the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the advances made under the Biden-Harris Administration to position U.S. agriculture and forestry as climate leaders, develop climate solutions, and build climate-smart markets that help rural communities thrive.
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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.
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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
