European negotiators reached agreement on organic farming rules — after three years of trying. The most contentious issues had been whether to set pesticide residue thresholds and establish limits on […]
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Sales of organic food in the U.S. rose by more than $3 billion in 2016 to $47 billion. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) reported at its annual meeting this week […]
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A new system of electronic certification to monitor imports of organic products into the European Union comes into force on April 19. The EU believes this will increase traceability and […]
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The European Commission is planning to create rules to cover limits or “thresholds” for pesticide residues in organic food. It is expected that this could be included in a new regulation on […]
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Sales of organic food in the United States in 2015 rose by 13 percent from 2014 to more than $6 billion. A survey report on 2015 organic food production and […]
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As a small organic farmer, I got a kick out of of a recent article Janna with big tractor advertising ‘Farming Camp’ for little ones. We used to go to
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The U.S. organic industry posted record sales in 2015 with total organic product sales hitting $43.3 billion, up 11% from the previous year’s record level and outstripping the overall food market’s growth rate of 3%.
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There are now 21,781 certified organic food operations in the United States – a 300% increase since 2002.
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The USDA’s Economic Research Service has published a new analysis of cost-of-production differences between conventional and organic crop production systems using data from targeted surveys of organic corn, wheat, and soybean production.
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Sievers Family Farms in Iowa is one of a growing number of farms using manure-based anaerobic digesters. These digesters convert farm waste into valuable byproducts, such as renewable electricity and fertilizer, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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European negotiators reached agreement on organic farming rules — after three years of trying. The most contentious issues had been whether to set pesticide residue thresholds and establish limits on […]
Read more
Sales of organic food in the U.S. rose by more than $3 billion in 2016 to $47 billion. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) reported at its annual meeting this week […]
Read more
A new system of electronic certification to monitor imports of organic products into the European Union comes into force on April 19. The EU believes this will increase traceability and […]
Read more
The European Commission is planning to create rules to cover limits or “thresholds” for pesticide residues in organic food. It is expected that this could be included in a new regulation on […]
Read more
Sales of organic food in the United States in 2015 rose by 13 percent from 2014 to more than $6 billion. A survey report on 2015 organic food production and […]
Read more
As a small organic farmer, I got a kick out of of a recent article Janna with big tractor advertising ‘Farming Camp’ for little ones. We used to go to
Read more
The U.S. organic industry posted record sales in 2015 with total organic product sales hitting $43.3 billion, up 11% from the previous year’s record level and outstripping the overall food market’s growth rate of 3%.
Read more
There are now 21,781 certified organic food operations in the United States - a 300% increase since 2002.
Read more
The USDA's Economic Research Service has published a new analysis of cost-of-production differences between conventional and organic crop production systems using data from targeted surveys of organic corn, wheat, and soybean production.
Read more
Sievers Family Farms in Iowa is one of a growing number of farms using manure-based anaerobic digesters. These digesters convert farm waste into valuable byproducts, such as renewable electricity and fertilizer, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Read more
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. The conversation focused on USSA’s mission and the U.S. soy industry, including the evolution of sustainability and the role of innovation.
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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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To mark National Dairy Month, we visit a New York dairy farm to look at some of the advances that have led to these improvements. Meet the Beck Brothers, the stars of a new TV documentary!
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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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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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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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Climate Change Indicators in the United States, the fifth edition of a report first published by EPA in 2010, examines the ongoing impact of climate change on the United States. It provides insights into the scale and significance of these changes and their potential consequences for people, the environment, and society.
Download nowSievers Family Farms in Iowa is one of a growing number of farms using manure-based anaerobic digesters. These digesters convert farm waste into valuable byproducts, such as renewable electricity and fertilizer, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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In this issue, we share the findings of the 2024 Global Agricultural Productivity Report (The GAP Report) by Virginia Tech. The report warns of sluggish productivity growth, highlighting the urgent need to bridge the gap between technology development and farmer adoption.
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In response to shifting weather patterns and more severe extreme weather events, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is stepping up its efforts to help American producers fight climate change.
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In mid-October, the U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA) hosted three European Union (EU) officials for a Climate Smart Agriculture mission to the United States. The mission aimed to enhance understanding of U.S. conservation programs and highlight U.S. leadership in agricultural sustainability.
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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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