Sustainable Agriculture / Public News Service

As of 2017, the United States had 48,697 producers who identified as Black, either alone or in combination with another race. They accounted for 1.4% of the country's 3.4 million producers, according to the USDA. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Thursday, December 1, 2022

KY Black Farmers Work to Reduce Barriers to Food Programs

Black farmers in Kentucky said they have benefited from participating in Farms to Food Banks, an agricultural program funneling leftover produce from …

Kelsey Scott, left, operates DX Beef in South Dakota. Scott is a fourth-generation Native American farmer who practices regenerative agriculture. (Photo courtesy of SJN)

Thursday, December 1, 2022

Decolonizing Regenerative Cattle Ranching

By Ray Levy Uyeda for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

Approximately 60% of land in Colorado is privately owned. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 28, 2022

New Tools Available to Navigate Conservation Easements

Some three million acres of Colorado lands have been protected through land trusts and their partners, and new online resources launched by the group …

The Silver Creek Preserve is located about 30 miles south of Ketchum, Ida. (Neil Crescenti/The Nature Conservancy)

First Ever 'Trout-Safe' Certification Awarded to ID Farm

A farm in Idaho has received the first-ever "trout-safe" certification from an organization that protects habitat for the fish. The Nature …

More than 85% of Iowa's land is farmland. (Stock/Adobe Stock)

Iowa Farmers' Priorities Released for 2023 Farm Bill

Rural advocacy groups in Iowa have released their priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill, which is already being discussed in Washington, D.C. The Center …

According to a report by One Earth, since the beginning of agriculture. 133 gigatons of carbon have been lost from soils. Regenerative agriculture is designed to keep that carbon in the soil. (Adobe Stock)

Regenerative Agriculture Makes for Sustainable Farming

Virginia farmers looking for a sustainable way to tend to their crops can look at regenerative agriculture. The idea is to focus on soil health and …

Fields amid a sinking delta in California's Central Valley. (California Dept. of Water Resources)

Carbon Credits versus the Big Gulp

By Katherine Ellison for Hothouse.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Publi…

Proposition FF includes grants school districts can use to purchase locally produced food, which proponents argued will help support local farmers and strengthen regional food systems. (Adobe Stock)

Proponents: Prop FF Key to Reducing Hunger in Colorado Springs

Proposition FF on Colorado's November ballot aims to ensure all students can access healthy, nutritious food at school, at no cost to families…

As buffalo herds graze, they inspire new vegetative growth across vast tracts of lands in a natural process that mimics the onset of spring. (Adobe Stock)

Buffalo Restoration Key to Wildlife Economy, Tribal Health

Some 50 million bison roaming across the Great Plains once served as the backbone for thriving western economies, before European settlers …

A new report showed fully funding the pollution-reduction efforts needed to restore the bay would add $655 million annually to the regional economy. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Maryland Could See Economic Benefit from Farm Conservation Practices

A new study out this week reports Maryland could realize economic benefits from agricultural conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay region…

Nebraska is home to many industrial-scale operations, where livestock live in densely populated, confined quarters. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Nebraskans Urge Better State Management of Factory Farm Animal Waste

Clean-water advocates are urging the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy to do more to protect drinking water and soil quality impacted by i…

One million acres of grasslands, considered to be some of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth, are lost each year to agricultural and residential development in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Wyoming, USDA Agree on Partnership to Conserve Wildlife Habitat

Gov. Mark Gordon has signed onto law a new pilot program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which aims to support Wyoming …

According to the Campaign for HIP Funding, the Healthy Incentives Program has resulted in an additional $61 million in local economic impact across the Commonwealth. (Atlas Farms)

Farmers Markets Help MA Shoppers Eat Healthier, Beat Inflation

Some low-income shoppers might assume farmers markets, with their specialty products, are out of reach. But more of these markets in the Commonwealth …

Michelle and Brielle Wright have seen firsthand the impact of climate change on their 11-acre farm in North Carolina. (The Farmer's B.A.G.)

In NC, Black Family Farms Grapple with Climate Change

Two sisters running a small vegetable farm in Bladen County said they are struggling to keep their business profitable in a changing climate…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers training for military veterans, and has grant programs available to help purchase and develop land and facilities, as well as equipment and supplies.<br />(Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Military Veterans Wanted for Service in Ag Industry

This winter, military veterans will have an opportunity to translate hard-won skills on the battlefield into Nebraska's fields and pastures through …

The Farm Bill is a five-year spending measure that addresses the agriculture industry, food systems, nutrition programs and more. (Mike/Flickr)

2023 Farm Bill: Creating Healthier Future for Farming, Food

Congress must pass a 2023 Farm Bill before the end of the year, a measure which not only impacts farming but also what's on our plates. The Ohio …

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, net farm income is expected to increase by $7.3 billion. This comes when farmers are faced with a bevy of changes in their business.

Farmers Adapting to Industry Changes

Farmers are adapting to numerous shifts in their industry, ranging from price hikes to the effects of climate change. A big change for agribusiness …

San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition is fostering an equitable local food system in part by providing bilingual farm business training and engaging the next generation of farmers. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado Conservation Heroes Honored

Nine Colorado groups and individuals have been honored as "Conservation Heroes" for their outstanding contributions to land, water and wildlife …

Nuestras Ra�ces manages nine urban community gardens in Holyoke, plus four for the Holyoke Education System, supporting over 100 families with locally grown, fresh food. (Adobe Stock)

Celebrating 30 Years of Puerto Rican “Agri-Culture” in Western MA

The Holyoke area is home to many Puerto Rican families who say they will do what they can to help people there as they recover from the latest hurrica…

Before the EPA's ban, Oregon had planned to phase out the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos by 2023. (Dusan Kostic/Adobe Stock)

U.S. Pesticide Use Could Be on Docket in Trade Talks

As the United States enters into talks over a new trade framework with several nations, America's lax pesticide policy could be a sticking point for …

No-till farming is considered one of several conservation practices in agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

New WI Report Provides Snapshot of Sustainable Farming Efforts

Greenhouse gas emissions have been potentially reduced by 50,000 tons in the state, with the help of Wisconsin farmers supported by a statewide …

About 75% of the nation's flowering plants and more than 30% of the nation's food crops rely upon animal pollinators to reproduce, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Lamar Gore/John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge)<br /><br />

Urban PA Community Gardens Grow Food, Solace, Opportunity

Pennsylvania has a strong commitment to urban agriculture and community gardening, and some groups in the state are working to get more colorful …

Agricultural producers of color own over 73 million acres of farmland and rent or lease more than 21 million acres of farmland, according to a 2022 report from the Congressional Research Service. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Push to Reform Food Sector Through BIPOC, Immigrant-Owned Cooperatives

As more farm and food cooperatives pop up across North Carolina, advocates say they are creating a new model for food distribution and landownership …

Greenhouse-grown hydroponic tomatoes use 90% less water than traditional tomato crops grown outdoors, according to the U.S. National Park Service. (Caleigh Wells)

Future of Tomatoes in CA Drought: Hydroponic Farming?

By Caleigh Wells for KCRW.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the KCRW-Public News Service Collaboration Wh…

Agriculture experts say improving soil health on farmland is one of several components to reducing emissions from conventional farming. (Adobe Stock)

IA Gets Big Chunk of 'Climate-Smart' Farming Pie

Agriculture researchers say if the U.S. wants more farmers to adopt climate-friendly practices, they will need to be offered some proven incentives…

Researchers warn that as climate change increases wildfire areas in snow zones throughout the West, the wildfire influence on the snowpack also will grow. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Wildfires Expanding Into Snow Zones Will Impact Water Supplies

Wildfires in Wyoming and across the West are creating bigger impacts on snowpack supplying farms, energy production and drinking water for millions …

The National Farmers Union says the portion of American farmland that is foreign-owned has grown by about 60% in the last decade. (Adobe Stock)

ND's Anti-Corporate Farming Law Turns 90

Supporters of a long-standing North Dakota law emphasizing family farms are celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, at a time of increased debate …

In 2017, the United States had around 48,000 farmers who identified as Black according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. (Adobe Stock)<br />

More Black Farmers Use Farm Service Agency Programs

Some farmers of color have been hesitant to interact with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency after a history of discrimination…

Supporters of managed grazing say grass-based farms and ranches are an important strategy for introducing new farmers and ranchers to livestock, because they're better for an operation's bottom line. (Adobe Stock)

WI Farmers to Get New Support for 'Managed Grazing'

Managed grazing is one of several ways farmers can implement climate-friendly practices, and after a lengthy absence, a key source of federal aid has …

in the late 1800s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture began sending

Historic Arboretum Cracked Code to Growing in Wyoming

Before the invention of refrigerated shipping, people living across the High Plains had to grow their own food. As Europeans migrated into the region…

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than half of the contiguous United States is experiencing moderate to extreme drought. (Adobe Stock)

CT Farmers Work through Severe Drought Conditions

Since early May, much of Connecticut has been in a severe drought, leaving the state's 5,500 farms scrambling to adapt. Much of the Northeast is …

More than 60,000 kids in Colorado can't afford school meals, but don't qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, and two out of every five Colorado families struggle to put food on the table for their children. (Adobe Stock)

Ending School Lunchline Shaming on Colorado’s November Ballot

In November, Colorado voters will have an opportunity to end a practice known as "lunch-line shaming," which drew national attention after a Colorado …

Farmers face startup costs to diversify their crop rotations, but experts say the move can mean lower overall costs over the long run. (Adobe Stock)

Old Ideas About Farming Offer New Alternatives

The resilience of the U.S. food supply to disasters has become even more important in the time of climate change. Nebraska farmers, like others…

Planting native flowering plants in your yard instead of grass can help restore critical habitat for struggling pollinator species. (Adobe Stock)

Wanted: Next-Generation Beekeepers for Nebraska Farms

With the age of Nebraska's farmers and beekeepers on the rise, bee enthusiasts are encouraging more young people to check out the Great Plains Master …

According to recent USDA 'Farm to School' Census data, Minnesota schools that responded reported spending 13% of their budgets on local products. (Adobe Stock)

Disadvantaged MN Farmers to See New Business with School Meals

Farmers of color in Minnesota are expected to see new opportunities to get their products into school lunch programs. Their advocates said a major …

Pennsylvania's 58,000 farm families continue to care for over 7.7 million acres of farmland. (asafaric/Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act Seen as 'Win' for PA Family Farms

President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law Tuesday, which conservation groups see as a major victory in the battle against …

The Padlock Ranch was established in northwest Wyoming in 1867 as a sheep operation. In 1940 the Northern Arapaho Tribe purchased and renamed it the Arapaho Ranch. (Hoffman)

Tour Set for Arapaho Ranch, Former Site of Historic Padlock

On August 27, members of the public will have a rare opportunity to visit the historic Padlock Ranch first developed for livestock in 1867, now …

Farming practices that protect soil health can lead to climate resiliency. (Adobe Stock)

Senate Inflation Bill Features Strong Investments in Climate-Friendly Farming

While it's named the Inflation Reduction Act, legislation in the Senate actually goes a long way toward making agriculture more climate-resilient…

Organizers behind farmers markets say grant programs have helped to spur interest among young entrepreneurs who want to sell locally grown food. (Adobe Stock)

ND Farmers Markets Tout Importance in Rebound Year

Next week is National Farmers Market Week. In North Dakota, there is a sense of relief after tough conditions last year, along with a mostly …

According to its website, New Roots Community Farm aims to

Community Farm Could Be Model for Economic Sustainability

As Virginia's farms continue to cope with unstable economic markets, one operation is blazing a new trail for a more equitable and economically …

Just a few large corporations control the vast majority of the food supply, and many operate concentrated animal feeding operations or CAFOs. (agnormark/Adobe Stock)

Testimony from MO Farmer: Bolster Regenerative Practices, Not CAFOs

Farmers and ranchers are raising red flags about the need for more regulation of concentrated animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs, and …

Rotational grazing, a popular form of regenerative agriculture, involves moving animals through pasture to improve soil health. (Adobe Stock)

MN Farmer to Congress: Protect Small Producers, Food Security

A U.S. House subcommittee held a hearing Tuesday highlighting the threat climate change poses to the world's food supply, and how farmers can be …

Small to mid-sized meat processors must operate as either a USDA-FSIS facility or a federally regulated custom-exempt slaughter and processing facility, while also complying with federal regulations, to qualify for a new grant program. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska’s Smaller Meat Lockers Challenged to Ramp Up Capacity

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants through the Independent Processor Assistance Program. Johnathan Hladik…

Conservationists propose 12 initial wolf-reintroduction areas, based on large suitable habitat blocks, connectivity, and the presence of elk, deer and other prey. Proposed locations include Rocky Mountain National Park and the Maroon Bells-Snowmass and Hermosa Creek wilderness areas. (Adobe Stock)

CO Conservationists Offer Alternative Plan for Wolf Reintroduction

A coalition of 14 conservation groups has unveiled an alternative proposal to help guide wolf reintroduction and recovery ahead of a Colorado Parks an…

Visitors at the Stratford Ecological Center in Delaware, Ohio learn how agro-forestry, cover crops, pasture-raised livestock and soil health practices can help end the climate crisis. (Raul Castro-Dean)<br /><br /><br />

Tours Put Sustainable Farming Methods on Display

Some farmers in the region are taking time, even during the busy growing season, to give people a firsthand look at what sustainable agriculture is …

Environmental advocates say Iowa has more than four times as many large concentrated<br />animal-feeding operations as it did in 2001. (Adobe Stock)

IA Group: Landowner Rights Under Attack After Hog-Farm Ruling

Opponents of an Iowa Supreme Court decision they say makes it almost impossible to sue corporate farms over pollution, are encouraging landowners to …

Northern Plains Resource Council is holding presentations on soil health at farms and ranches across Montana. (Northern Plains Resource Council)

Montanans Learn About Healthy Agriculture with Soil Crawls

Montanans get a sense of what soil health is like on farms and ranches across the state with Northern Plains Resource Council's soil crawls. The …

Conservation groups want to restore vegetation in coastal areas such as Elkhorn Slough near Monterey Bay, which sequesters carbon in the soil, helping to slow climate change. (Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve)

Bill Moves Forward to Lock More Carbon In the Soil

California has seen a lot of proposals to reduce carbon emissions; now a plan to scrub existing pollution is moving forward in the Legislature…

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