85 members found: beans

Reducing Soil Tillage Helps to Increase Yields, Enhance Soil Health

Reducing Soil Tillage Helps to Increase Yields, Enhance Soil Health, Boost Water Retention and Reduce Erosion Farmers who use conservation tillage can increase their crop yields while also nurturing healthier […]

Read more

U.S. Soybean Export Council

USSEC is a dynamic partnership of key stakeholders representing soybean producers, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses and agricultural organizations. Production of U.S. soybeans is based on a national system of sustainability and conservation laws and regulations combined with careful implementation of best production practices by the nation’s 279,110 soybean farms.

In addition, U.S. soybean producers participate in numerous certified and audited voluntary sustainability and conservation programs. Since 1980, U.S. farmers increased soy production by 96% while using 8% less energy. Greenhouse gas emissions decreased 41% per tonne of U.S. soybean production since 1980.

Read more

Rick Clark, Field to Market’s Farmer of the Year, Shares His Approach to Regenerative Farming

Indiana corn and soybean farmer Rick Clark is Field to Market’s Farmer of the Year 2019, recognized for “outstanding conservation efforts on his farm and leadership in advancing sustainable agriculture”. […]

Read more

USSA Member Spotlight: Jennifer James, USA Rice Federation

USA Rice farmer, Jennifer James, spoke to Farmers Guardian, a leading UK farming publication, about her life and what it is really like growing rice, corn and soybeans in Arkansas. […]

Read more

The EU Adopts U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol for Biofuels

In late January, the European Union (EU) adopted the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP), under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). Building on the widely accepted SSAP, the new program, called SSAP-RED, […]

Read more

10 Facts about U.S. Sustainable Agriculture

The United States has been practicing conservation and sustainability long before they became the issues they are today. Here are 10 facts about U.S. sustainable agriculture, forestry and fisheries: The […]

Read more

Organic Production Grows in the U.S.

Organic production of grains and soybeans is experiencing double digit growth, according to a report by market intelligence firm, Mercaris. The 2017 Organic & Non-GMO Acreage Report provides acreage data and analysis of […]

Read more

Efficient and sustainable use of resources needed to reduce EU environmental impact of its food system

The EU must reduce the environmental impact of its food system through more efficient and sustainable use of resources, says a report by the European Environmental Agency (EEA). This would […]

Read more

Sustainable Agriculture. Hultgren Farms Takes it Personally

Nate Hultgren, a fourth generation farmer in central Minnesota takes sustainable agriculture personally. To Nate and his brother, it’s a familial responsibility, a duty to their consumers and an obligation […]

Read more

American Agricultural Sustainability

Eighty-seven percent of U.S. farmers and ranchers believe they meet the sustainability needs of their customer, according to a nation-wide survey published in Agriculture in America Sustainability. The survey and […]

Read more

85 results found: beans

Reducing Soil Tillage Helps to Increase Yields, Enhance Soil Health

Reducing Soil Tillage Helps to Increase Yields, Enhance Soil Health, Boost Water Retention and Reduce Erosion Farmers who use conservation tillage can increase their crop yields while also nurturing healthier […]

Read more

U.S. Soybean Export Council

USSEC is a dynamic partnership of key stakeholders representing soybean producers, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses and agricultural organizations. Production of U.S. soybeans is based on a national system of sustainability and conservation laws and regulations combined with careful implementation of best production practices by the nation’s 279,110 soybean farms. In addition, U.S. soybean producers participate in numerous certified and audited voluntary sustainability and conservation programs. Since 1980, U.S. farmers increased soy production by 96% while using 8% less energy. Greenhouse gas emissions decreased 41% per tonne of U.S. soybean production since 1980.

Read more

Rick Clark, Field to Market’s Farmer of the Year, Shares His Approach to Regenerative Farming

Indiana corn and soybean farmer Rick Clark is Field to Market’s Farmer of the Year 2019, recognized for “outstanding conservation efforts on his farm and leadership in advancing sustainable agriculture”. […]

Read more

USSA Member Spotlight: Jennifer James, USA Rice Federation

USA Rice farmer, Jennifer James, spoke to Farmers Guardian, a leading UK farming publication, about her life and what it is really like growing rice, corn and soybeans in Arkansas. […]

Read more

The EU Adopts U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol for Biofuels

In late January, the European Union (EU) adopted the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP), under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). Building on the widely accepted SSAP, the new program, called SSAP-RED, […]

Read more

10 Facts about U.S. Sustainable Agriculture

The United States has been practicing conservation and sustainability long before they became the issues they are today. Here are 10 facts about U.S. sustainable agriculture, forestry and fisheries: The […]

Read more

Organic Production Grows in the U.S.

Organic production of grains and soybeans is experiencing double digit growth, according to a report by market intelligence firm, Mercaris. The 2017 Organic & Non-GMO Acreage Report provides acreage data and analysis of […]

Read more

Efficient and sustainable use of resources needed to reduce EU environmental impact of its food system

The EU must reduce the environmental impact of its food system through more efficient and sustainable use of resources, says a report by the European Environmental Agency (EEA). This would […]

Read more

Sustainable Agriculture. Hultgren Farms Takes it Personally

Nate Hultgren, a fourth generation farmer in central Minnesota takes sustainable agriculture personally. To Nate and his brother, it’s a familial responsibility, a duty to their consumers and an obligation […]

Read more

American Agricultural Sustainability

Eighty-seven percent of U.S. farmers and ranchers believe they meet the sustainability needs of their customer, according to a nation-wide survey published in Agriculture in America Sustainability. The survey and […]

Read more

Insights and Opinion

Why Sustainably Produced Forest Products Have the Edge

As the public and private sectors increasingly choose building materials based on factors such as carbon footprint and renewability rather than solely on cost, sustainably sourced wood products offer a promising solution.

Read more

Parker Ranch, Hawaii: Caring for the Land, Cattle and Customers 

The old Hawaiian proverb “The land is chief, and man is its servant” guides Parker Ranch and its cow-calf operation. The ranch raises cattle in a way that respects natural resources while ensuring cattle health, beef quality and food safety.

Read more

Healthy Soils, Resilient Farms: Lessons from U.S. Soil Conservation

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.

Read more

Leather and Sustainability: A Call to Action at COP29

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.

Read more

Latest Reports

The Value of Grain Exports Study

April 2025. An updated study examining the contributions of U.S. grain exports to the U.S. economy.

Download now

A Guide to Sustainable American Hardwoods

April 2025. A comprehensive resource for understanding American hardwood species and the National Hardwood Lumber Association's (NHLA) lumber grading system.

Download now

The 2025 We Care® Sustainability Report

April 2025. An update on the U.S. pork industry’s progress towards its 2030 sustainability goals and targets.

Download now

Animal Feed Consumption, February 2025

February 2025. The latest trends in animal feed consumption and sustainability across U.S. livestock, poultry and aquaculture.

Download now

Latest News Articles

USSA Newsletter: April 2025

This month, we share the findings from the U.S. wheat industry’s first Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). We also report on U.S. agriculture’s multitrillion-dollar contribution to the American economy and its vital role in export trade.

Read more

URBN Joins the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol to Advance Responsible Sourcing Goals

URBN, the parent company of fashion brands such as Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, has joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a voluntary sustainability program and traceability platform.

Read more

U.S. Agriculture Contributes $9.5 Trillion to the Economy

U.S. food and agriculture are the backbone of the American economy. They account for more than $9.5 trillion in domestic economic activity, directly support more than 24 million jobs and play a vital role in international trade, with exports estimated at $183 billion.

Read more

Industry-First LCA Confirms Sustainability of U.S. Wheat Production 

A new Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) confirms continuous improvement in the sustainability of U.S. wheat production.

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

American Lobster Harvesting & Sustainability

Hear directly from noted seafood chef and author Barton Seaver about the sustainability of the American lobster industry.

Watch now

L&HCA Documentary Series Establishes Leather as a Sustainable Material

The 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 now

USMEF Sustainability Video

This 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 now