Land Core Newsletter - August 2024
Image Credit: Marc Pell, Unsplash
Dear friends and colleagues,
We hope you’re having an excellent end of summer, and are looking forward to the fall. Given the roller coaster of politics we are all on with this election season, some policy work is on pause, waiting to see how things shake out. That said, we are still tracking Farm Bill & Ag Appropriations news, submitting comments on agency actions like input on the 2027 Census of Agriculture to USDA NASS, and engaging in strategic planning to ensure soil health is recognized, valued and advanced across a wider breadth of agencies at USDA and beyond.
As always, read on for all the updates, as well as some upcoming events, opportunities, and a look at what we’re reading.
Warmly,
The Land Core Team
We’re Hiring!
Grow with us! Land Core is seeking to fill the position of Programs Manager for our soil health non-profit organization. This full-time, hands-on role can be performed virtually and largely flexibly, offering great work-life balance. There are extensive opportunities to learn and work with an outstanding network of partners, while making an impact in the growing field of soil health. Please consider applying or sharing this role with your network! See details at landcore.org/hiring-programs-manager.
Thank you, Rebecca!
We’re cheering on Rebecca Champagne, PhD, our current Programs Manager, as she moves on to a position as Conservation Scientist at the Organic Farming Research Foundation - a newly created position that provides expertise on the science and practice of organic agriculture and conservation to the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and other stakeholders. Thank you, Rebecca.
Policy Updates
Farm Bill Updates
There continues to be little, if any, movement on the Farm Bill, but Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) believes it is still possible to pass it this year during a lame duck session. The Senator stated that while there are some differences in funding between the Senate Majority and Minority proposals, there aren’t many differences in policy. In contrast, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) believes a one-year extension is likely needed due to ongoing partisan gridlocks.
Ag-Appropriations
Earlier this month both the Senate and House Ag-FDA Appropriations bills passed and advanced to their respective floors, but since then, not much movement has happened. The House Freedom Caucus is putting pressure on GOP leaders to back a short-term funding bill that would push funding decisions into early 2025, and lawmakers will likely pass a stopgap measure to keep spending levels steady. However, it is unclear if this will happen later this year or next year. Despite the House’s goal of passing all 12 spending bills by August, only half were passed over the summer and House leaders left early for the August recess.
Land Core Submits Comments to USDA on Census of Agriculture
Land Core submitted comments this month to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in response to the agency’s solicitation for input on the content and questions in the 2027 Census of Agriculture. The Census of Agriculture plays a crucial role in gathering valuable information from and about agricultural stakeholders. Currently, the Census of Agriculture captures the acreage of cover crops and reduced tillage; however, these data alone do not fully encapsulate soil health promoting practices and the subsequent risk reduction, economic, and environmental benefits. Without a more complete picture of soil health practices in the U.S., USDA cannot fully support the vast majority of farmers and ranchers who are using these practices. Read our full comments here.
Bill Tracker
We recently released a Summer 2024 Federal Bill Tracker alert, highlighting the House and Senate Ag-FDA Appropriations bills, which you can now find in the tracker. The alert also summarizes core soil health bills introduced over the summer, such as the Saving Our Interconnected Lives (SOIL) Act and the Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act.
As a reminder, we have some new features in the tracker! You can view the “Farm Bill Status” section for any marker bill that has been included in any full version of the Farm Bill (for now, the House bill). As always, you can sort bills by various issue areas, but now you can also sort bills by “Farm Bill” for a quick way to scan for bills included in the Farm Bill. Additionally, we have added “Specialty Crops,” given the increase in related legislation in recent months.
Upcoming Speaking Events
September 10, 2024, 1-4pm ET - Virtual Soil & Climate Alliance Members’ Mini-Meeting
Land Core’s Executive Director, Aria McLauchlan, will be speaking at the Soil & Climate Alliance Member’s Mini-Meeting next month, on the Field & Market Intelligence Panel. The meeting will host sessions led by farmers and stakeholders, giving insight into regenerative farming practices and industry updates. Learn more here.
Upcoming Events
Below you will find a selection of upcoming gatherings related to agriculture and soil health on our radar.
September 19, 2024 - Southeast Region Farmers and Landowners Conservation & Outreach Conference - Brunswick, GA
This free event hosted by Georgia USDA-NRCS and McIntosh S.E.E.D. will cover topics such as: programs for new and beginning farmers, urban agriculture, beef herd management, forestry initiatives, disaster assistance, and conservation loans. Read more and register here.
September 23-27, 2024 - International Soil & Tillage Research Organisation Conference - Virginia Beach, VA
ISTRO 2024's theme is “Living Roots, Living Soil” to focus on regenerative agriculture, soil health, cover crops, residue systems and sustainable crop production as a whole. This conference is your opportunity to meet with other researchers, share research, and stimulate new collaborations and ideas for the advancement of soil and crop production sciences. Learn more here.
September 24-26, 2024 - Women in Agribusiness Summit - Denver, CO
This event helps attendees form valuable connections with industry peers, leaders, and innovators, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping agribusiness for women. Learn more about the summit here.
Funding Opportunities
Farm Credit East recently put together a comprehensive guide of funding opportunities for agricultural producers in the Northeast. The report identifies federal, regional and state grants, loan guarantees, and other incentives available to assist Northeast producers of all types and sizes. More information can be found here.
What We're Reading
Maine’s Solar Incentive Helps Farms Spoiled by Forever Chemicals
After testing in the state gradually revealed widespread problems with PFAS on farms, Maine developed a suite of creative strategies to help farmers, including a law adopted last year that prioritizes the use of farms with high concentrations of the chemicals for renewable energy.
August 22, 2024 | By: Pat Rizzuto, Bloomberg Law
How can you tell if soil is healthy? Just listen to it.
First-of-its-kind research shows how "ecoacoustics" can help scientists monitor the health of soils — using underground critter concerts.
August 20, 2024 | By: Ayurella Horn-Muller, Grist
Could Manure and Compost Act Like Probiotics, Reducing Antibiotic Resistance in Urban Soils?
UMD researchers shed light on impacts of organic-based soil amendments in urban farms and community gardens.
August 14, 2024 | By: Kimbra Cutlip, UMD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
USDA to establish Growing Solutions Advisory Council
The Agriculture Department announced it intends to establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council (informally known as the Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council) and is seeking nominations for the council.
August 13, 2024 | By: Jerry Hagstrom, The Hagstrom Report
Farm Stops Create New Markets for Small Farms
These brick-and-mortar consignment businesses support farmers and bring fresh, locally grown food to their communities.
August 12, 2024 | By: Paige Hodder, Civil Eats
South Korea recycles 98% of its food waste. What can it teach the world?
The Daejeon Bioenergy Center is one of about 300 facilities that enable South Korea to recycle nearly all of its 15,000 tons of daily food waste, which can be composted into fertilizer, fed to livestock or turned into biogas, a kind of renewable energy.
August 9, 2024 | By: Andrew Jeong and Julie Yoon, The Washington Post
The author of this Opinion piece writes about how his experience remediating his home garden changed how he thinks about the soil – as alive, essential, and at risk.
August 8, 2024 | By: Ferris Jabr, NY Times
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