97 members found: beans

USSA Farmer Spotlight: Dairy Farmer Tina Hinchley on Milking Robots and Cow Comfort

Tina Hinchley is a dairy farmer in Cambridge, Wisconsin – America’s dairy land. She and husband Duane grow around 2,300 acres of crops, not only to be used as cattle […]

Read more

Insight & Opinion: Feeding the Nation in the Time of Covid-19

A look at how U.S. farmers and the food supply chain are responding to the pandemic and the lessons they have learned for the future By Janine Maxwell, The U.S. […]

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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.

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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”. […]

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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. […]

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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

97 results found: beans

USSA Farmer Spotlight: Dairy Farmer Tina Hinchley on Milking Robots and Cow Comfort

Tina Hinchley is a dairy farmer in Cambridge, Wisconsin – America’s dairy land. She and husband Duane grow around 2,300 acres of crops, not only to be used as cattle […]

Read more

Insight & Opinion: Feeding the Nation in the Time of Covid-19

A look at how U.S. farmers and the food supply chain are responding to the pandemic and the lessons they have learned for the future By Janine Maxwell, The U.S. […]

Read more

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

Insights and Opinion

Rethinking Agricultural Waste for a Circular Food Economy

There’s more to our food than meets the eye, writes Kent Swisher of the North American Renderers Association (NARA) in a guest blog for SustMeme.

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Raising the Bar in Wheat and Livestock Farming in South Dakota

At Jorgensen Land & Cattle in Ideal, South Dakota, innovation and tradition go hand in hand.

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USSA Interview: Independent of Political Shifts

Environmental protection and sustainability have lost significant importance under the current U.S. administration. However, Nick Gardner, Chair of the U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA), believes this will have little impact on the alliance’s long-term goals.

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Water Stewardship in U.S. Agriculture: Innovations for a Changing Climate

Read the latest USSA Insight Paper: Water Stewardship in U.S. Agriculture

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Latest Reports

Feeding the Economy 2026

March 2026. A comprehensive farm-to-fork analysis highlighting the scale and economic importance of the U.S. food and agriculture industry.

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Status and Trends of U.S. Conservation Programs, 2002–2025

March 2026. A high-level review of USDA conservation programmes, outlining how they support environmental outcomes and evolve through successive Farm Bills.

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Verified Progress of Sustainable U.S. Soy

March 2026. The latest SSAP report outlines verified sustainability progress in U.S. soy production, highlighting rising certification and the role of traceability in global supply chains.

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America’s Farms and Ranches at a Glance

February 2026. An annual overview of the structure and characteristics of U.S. farms and ranches, drawing on the latest Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) data.

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Latest News Articles

USSA Newsletter: April 2026

This month focuses on technology and innovation. We highlight a new initiative aimed at accelerating U.S. farmers’ adoption of emerging technologies - real-world testing and performance data are key.

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Rethinking Agricultural Waste for a Circular Food Economy

There’s more to our food than meets the eye, writes Kent Swisher of the North American Renderers Association (NARA) in a guest blog for SustMeme.

Read more

Raising the Bar in Wheat and Livestock Farming in South Dakota

At Jorgensen Land & Cattle in Ideal, South Dakota, innovation and tradition go hand in hand.

Read more

Walmart Joins the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol

Walmart has joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a move that is a major boost for sustainable cotton sourcing in the retail industry and highlights Walmart’s focus on regeneration and transparency in its supply chain.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Recent Videos

Wood in Architecture: Building with U.S. Softwoods [2/2]

Discover how softwoods were used in the architecture of PDX Main Terminal, Portland, Oregon, in this new series from the Softwood Export Council.

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Wood in Architecture: Building with U.S. Softwoods [1/2]

This new series from the Softwood Export Council spotlights the global reach and versatility of American softwoods in architecture, offering a behind-the-scenes look at sustainable forestry practices.

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Industry Excellence Video Series

This new series from the American Feed Industry Association explores the $267 billion U.S. animal food industry, offering insights into its scale and impact. 

Watch now