U.S. Dry Bean Council

The U.S. Dry Bean Council (USDBC) is comprised of leaders in the bean industry with the common goal of promoting the U.S. edible bean trade, both in the United States and abroad, and educating U.S. consumers about the benefits of beans. The USDBC gives a voice to the bean industry and provides information to consumers, health professionals, buyers, suppliers and the media about the good taste, nutritional value and versatility of beans. As part of USDBC’s mission, the organization also collaborates with public health organizations, research centers, universities, and the entire supply chain on projects related to nutrition, food aid, sustainability and trade.

Bean farmers proudly foster the sustainability of agriculture through the production of beans. The nitrogen-fixing properties of beans improve soil fertility, which improves and extends the productivity of farmland. Intercropping with pulses increases farm biodiversity and creates a more diverse landscape for animals and insects. Beans are also highly water efficient and require less water compared to other protein sources. An unexpected ally against climate change, dry bean species have broad genetic diversity from which climate resilient varieties can be selected. By producing a smaller carbon footprint, beans indirectly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

U.S. Farmer Spotlight: Rice Farmer Scott Matthews on Why Irrigation is Like a Giant Math Equation

USSA spoke to him about water conservation and some of the innovative irrigation practices he implements on his farm.

It’s (Virtual) Open House at This Fifth-Generation Sustainable Soybean Grower’s Farm

Doug Winter is a fifth-generation soybean grower from Mill Shoals, Illinois and the vice chairman of the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

Fifth Generation Wheat Farmer Peter Hvidsten on Why Less Input Means Better Output

He spoke to us about the precise cost, productivity and sustainability benefits of using the right amount of fertilizer where it’s needed and reducing tillage passes on his fields. 

Insight & Opinion: Water in Leather Production: The Incredible Shrinking Act

Thanks to new processes and technologies, the leather production industry has cut its water footprint by 37% in the past 25 years and it’s improving all the time.

From Corn to Peanuts: A Sustainable Investment for Arkansas Farmer Greg Baltz

Greg Baltz operates Running Lake Farms in Randolph County, Arkansas. He explains why corn and peanuts are the perfect crop rotation policy that allows him to farm sustainably whilst minimizing his use of fertilizer.

Pandemic ‘Revolution’ Leads to Record Organic Food Sales

U.S. organic food sales in 2020 were up a record 12.8% to a new high of €46 billion ($56.4 billion), representing almost 6% of U.S. food sales.

Sustainability in Motion: Balancing the Needs of the Land, Business and Future Generations

Jay Hardwick traded a life in academia for what has turned out to be a fruitful career in farming. Today he grows mainly cotton, corn and soybeans on his family’s 12,000-acre operation in Tensas Parish, North East Louisiana.

Farming Sustainably with GMOs: Views from a Fourth-generation Soybean Farmer

Fourth-generation soybean and corn farmer Monte Peterson explains why he uses GMOs in order to farm more sustainably and safely.

Cargill to Advance Regenerative Agriculture Practices Across Four Million Hectacres by 2030

The initiative will focus on row crop rotations to build on the company’s 2030 climate commitment.