Land Core Newsletter - World Soil Day 2022 Edition
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
We’re full of gratitude as we look back on November.
A big thanks to each of you who supported our work on Giving Tuesday. If you’ve not yet had the chance to do so, and would like to contribute a little something, it’s not too late. You can donate here!
Your support and encouragement is incredibly meaningful and helpful to us as a relatively small organization, and together, we’ve had a huge year helping to push the soil health movement forward.
Wishing you well as many of us gather for the winter farm conference season, and giving thanks for soils for producing the abundant harvests which farmers and ranchers have cultivated, the lands they have stewarded, and the nutritious food they have brought to our tables.
Be well,
The Land Core Team
Happy World Soil Day!
Today (December 5) is World Soil Day - a global celebration of the foundational and often overlooked role soils play in our food, medicine, clothes, energy and environment!
Soil provides 95% of our food, contains a quarter of our biodiversity, regulates our water and climate cycles, and mitigates flood and drought impacts. For farmers and ranchers, soil health means economic and ecological resilience.
The movement to rebuild healthy soils is gaining momentum, but there’s more to do. That’s why we’re working to remove barriers and develop new kinds of incentives for producers to scale soil health.
Learn more about the economic and resilience benefits of soil health practices on our resources page!
Soils at COP27
During COP27 in Egypt this month, food and agriculture played a much bigger role than ever before. While the awareness of agriculture has been building for years, for the first time, agriculture was included in the official agenda as well as in a range of side events. Some even called it a “food systems COP”.
With the establishment of the first loss and damage fund being a major outcome of the global convening, it’s also more important than ever to note that soil health, which builds resilience to flood and drought, will become an increasingly important tool for mitigating the risks of natural disasters, keeping costs down for nation states, while maintaining or even improving farmers’ livelihoods. Learn more in “The Case for Risk Mitigation” section of our Resources page.
This Coalition of Action for Soil Health recap summarizes the decisions concerning soil and land health resulting from the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture (KJWA), the UNFCCC’s only programme to focus on agriculture and food security.
Policy Updates
Bill Tracker: Still wrapping your head around the midterms and the implications of a split Congress? See the post-election edition of our Soil Health Federal Bill Tracker Alert focused on what we know about the new Congress and early takeaways for future soil health and agriculture legislation.
Upcoming Hearing: Tomorrow, December 6, the full Senate Agriculture Committee will host a hearing entitled "Farm Bill 2023: Research Programs". Watch the livestream starting at 10am ET here!
Recording: Creating Regenerative Opportunity for Ag Lenders
Review the recording of Green America’s Soil & Climate Alliance (SCA) Roundtable on “Creating Regenerative Opportunity for Ag Lenders” here.
During this conversation, Land Core’s co-founders Aria McLauchlan and Harley Cross joined Maggie Monast of the Environmental Defense Fund and Bryan Stanek of Compeer Financial to discuss opportunities and risks to financing the transition to regenerative agriculture through ag lending, the need for more data quantifying the economic and environmental benefits of regenerative agriculture, and the importance of voluntary incentives, education and support for farmers to make the transition.
This session was part of SCA’s Virtual Roundtable Series on Regenerative Agriculture Opportunities for Banks. See the full Roundtable Report here, and read more on the Land Core blog.
Key Takeaways:
Find us at 2022 Eco-Ag Conference this Week!
Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show by Acres USA | December 5-8, 2022
Aria McLauchlan & Harley Cross, co-founders of Land Core, will be hosting a session in the Farm Business track on “Creating Change in Agriculture Policy in 2023” this Thursday, December 8 from 8:30-10am in Grand Ballroom D/E (Northern Kentucky Convention Center, Covington, Kentucky). More info →
What We're Reading
Climate advocates see a path forward in the farm bill: Lining farmers’ pockets
Regenerate America coverage: “A group of lobbyists thinks they’ve struck gold with a message even the most skeptical can't hate: Regenerative agriculture will make farmers richer.”
November 24, 2022 | By: Garrett Downs, Politico
As Republicans Take Command in House, Fight Over 2023 Farm Bill Looms
Food-stamp debate and the narrow GOP margin complicate passage of agricultural-policy cornerstone
November 19, 2022 | By: Kristina Peterson, The Wall Street Journal
House Task Force Pushes for Climate Action in 2023 Farm Bill
The Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Climate and Agriculture Task Force, led by Reps Pingree and Schrier, released a report on “Recommendations for a Climate-Friendly Farm Bill”.
November 18, 2022 | By: Fern’s Ag Insider, Successful Farming
Innovative financing supports regenerative agriculture
A new project will directly pay farmers for the ecosystem services they provide, such as cleaner water, healthier soils and increased biodiversity.
November 15, 2022 | By: Krisy Gashler, Cornell Chronicle
Consumers talk regenerative ag; farmers listen
“As companies work to meet climate-smart goals, farmers should capitalize on the conversation.”
November 11, 2022 | By: Mindy Ward, Farm Progress
World’s leading food & farming businesses launch action plan to scale regenerative farming, warning speed of progress ‘must triple’ to tackle the impacts of climate change
November 3, 2022 | Press Release, Business Insider
How one board is hoping to evolve the United States farm bill in 2023
“Backed by a diverse board of directors, Kiss the Ground is backing a coalition across the country to influence the bill to create a healthier planet, more nutritious crops, and enhance ecosystems.”
November 11, 2022 | By: Danielle Bernabe, Fortune
Flip Your Soil: Farmers in Dry Climates use Holistic Approach to Soil Health Including Cover Crops
Nebraska operation lowers input costs and improves ROI using soil health practices.
November 22, 2022 | By: Michelle Rook, AgWeb
Soil Health Is Human Health
Soil-health pioneers David Montgomery & Anne Biklé discuss the nutrient benefits of regenerative practices, and how they may also be a solution to drought in the West.
December 1, 2022 | By: Naomi Starkman, Civil Eats
Fight drought with holistic water management plan
Tips for farmers to focus on soil health for water management and restoration of water cycles.
November 16, 2022 | By: Sarah McNaughton, Dakota Farmer
Get Involved
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