The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing a record $1.5 billion in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions in FY 2024 through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation […]
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A new study supported by USSA members estimates food and agriculture’s contribution to the U.S. economy. The eighth annual Feeding the Economy report, released by 32 food and agriculture groups, […]
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According to a preliminary Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of U.S. cowhide production, leather’s environmental impact is significantly lower than previously stated by the Higg Index. The independent study was conducted […]
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Welcome to our first newsletter of the year, which celebrates America’s family farmers and ranchers. We’re excited to share a new video series featuring stories of stewardship from U.S. wheat growers – it’s essential viewing!
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Carlos Suárez, who is Manager Sustainability, Policy and Innovation, at the U.S. Grains Council and a member of the USSA Management Council, attended the recent UN climate change conference in […]
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Takes Top Honors in Field to Market Sustainability Leadership Awards The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and Cotton Incorporated have received top honors in Field to Market’s 2023 Sustainability Leadership Awards. […]
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The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) introduction of updated standards for organic livestock and poultry production. The standards are expected to create “a […]
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A Seattle-based company has won $1.5 million to test a product to reduce methane emissions by curbing cow burps. Lumen Bioscience (Lumen) is the inaugural recipient of the Wilkes Center […]
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The role of improved animal genetic programs in combating the effects of climate change By Christina Ballard, grant writer, SMART Reproduction – a woman-owned biotech company specializing in small ruminant […]
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AIM for Climate Powers Ahead on the Road to COP28 The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) – a collaboration between the United States and the United Arab […]
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing a record $1.5 billion in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions in FY 2024 through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation […]
Read more
A new study supported by USSA members estimates food and agriculture’s contribution to the U.S. economy. The eighth annual Feeding the Economy report, released by 32 food and agriculture groups, […]
Read more
According to a preliminary Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of U.S. cowhide production, leather’s environmental impact is significantly lower than previously stated by the Higg Index. The independent study was conducted […]
Read more
Welcome to our first newsletter of the year, which celebrates America’s family farmers and ranchers. We’re excited to share a new video series featuring stories of stewardship from U.S. wheat growers - it’s essential viewing!
Read more
Carlos Suárez, who is Manager Sustainability, Policy and Innovation, at the U.S. Grains Council and a member of the USSA Management Council, attended the recent UN climate change conference in […]
Read more
Takes Top Honors in Field to Market Sustainability Leadership Awards The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and Cotton Incorporated have received top honors in Field to Market’s 2023 Sustainability Leadership Awards. […]
Read more
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) introduction of updated standards for organic livestock and poultry production. The standards are expected to create “a […]
Read more
A Seattle-based company has won $1.5 million to test a product to reduce methane emissions by curbing cow burps. Lumen Bioscience (Lumen) is the inaugural recipient of the Wilkes Center […]
Read more
The role of improved animal genetic programs in combating the effects of climate change By Christina Ballard, grant writer, SMART Reproduction – a woman-owned biotech company specializing in small ruminant […]
Read more
AIM for Climate Powers Ahead on the Road to COP28 The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) – a collaboration between the United States and the United Arab […]
Read more
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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Jennie Schmidt, a third-generation farmer and registered dietitian, strongly believes in the power of storytelling. In her experience, personal narratives can help consumers better understand how our food is grown, especially when fewer people have first-hand knowledge of the agriculture industry than ever before.
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Larry Santos of Taylor Farming in Salinas, California, has been named 2024’s Organic Farmer of the Year, recognized by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) for his outstanding contribution to organic […]
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May 2024. In 2023, the United States exported almost $175 billion worth of agricultural commodities worldwide. The primary markets for these exports were China, Mexico, and Canada, followed by the European Union in fourth place. The latest export yearbook from USDA FAS delves into the details of this export activity, providing essential data and trends for the top 14 U.S. agricultural commodity exports and the leading 16 export destinations in 2023.
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May 2024. Due to popular demand, USSA's regulatory report outlining key dates and events, regulatory developments, and government funding and assistance programs in U.S agriculture has been divided into four mini-series reports: soil health, water, climate change, and biodiversity. This report focuses on soil health.
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May 2024. Due to popular demand, USSA's regulatory report outlining key dates and events, regulatory developments, and government funding and assistance programs in U.S agriculture has been divided into four mini-series reports: soil health, water, climate change, and biodiversity. This report focuses on biodiversity.
Download now
May 2024. Due to popular demand, USSA's regulatory report outlining key dates and events, regulatory developments, and government funding and assistance programs in U.S agriculture has been divided into four mini-series reports: soil health, water, climate change, and biodiversity. This report focuses on water.
Download now
This month, we bring you an update on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s adaptation plan to mitigate the growing risks of climate change. We also feature an innovation challenge to find breakthrough solutions to agriculture’s most pressing challenges. And we report on global research that has identified a way to save nearly half of the 1.3 billion tons of food wasted annually.
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To mitigate climate risks and their impacts on their operations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and more than 20 other federal agencies have released updated climate adaptation plans.
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Every year, one-third of all available food in the United States goes uneaten through loss or waste, and EPA research shows that this waste produces greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 60 coal-fired power plants.
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The global search is on for breakthrough research projects in food and agriculture! USDA and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) are offering up to $2 million to multiple teams and projects to pursue high-risk, high-reward research.
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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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