There’s been a lot of talk and movement recently on technology-based food systems innovations: cultivated meat (grown in labs from cells), plant-based protein alternatives, and more. While we believe in all-of-the-above solutions, we need to be clear-eyed about the collateral impacts of these new business ventures, and keep in focus the fundamental opportunity to build a truly resilient, diversified, independent, farmer-led system that fundamentally restores ecosystems, communities, farmer profits, soils, and security. This piece calls for new technologies to support, not supplant, farmers in leading the way.
Read MoreSeptember has been an enormous month for soil health and agriculture, from the first ever Congressional hearing explicitly on soil health and regenerative agriculture, to the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities projects announcement, to attention turning toward implementation of $20 billion for conservation in the Inflation Reduction Act. As ever, soil health continues to create meaningful common ground amongst a diverse set of stakeholders.
Read MoreWith the Inflation Reduction Act officially signed into law this month, we are taking a moment to celebrate this incredible victory for both American farmers and our national soil health.
This month, we’ve put together an opportunity for farmers, a late summer reading list, and upcoming events and opportunities to connect.
Read MoreAs part of our work with the Regenerate America coalition (which is amplifying the voices of farmers and ranchers calling for regenerative agriculture and soil health to be a priority in the 2023 Farm Bill), Land Core has developed an FSA Loan Deferment Program that could potentially unlock hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in soil health, without costing taxpayers a cent.
Read MoreIt’s been a jam-packed July. In addition to some very promising advancements for soil health in the Inflation Reduction Act introduced last week, we’ve had some positive movement on a new soil health marker bill. Read on to see what’s keeping us busy and hopeful - as well as ways to get involved.
Read MoreToday, Land Core, along with a diverse coalition of businesses and food and farming organizations, submitted a letter asking USDA to support farmers and ranchers in building soil health and on-farm fertility as a primary means of reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. The letter, sent in response to USDA's request for information on “Access to Fertilizer: Competition and Supply Chain Concerns”, also asks for national investment in composting systems to move towards a more independent and resilient American agriculture.
Read MoreWhat a month it has been! Land Core team members, Harley and Katie, traveled to DC to support the first Regenerate America fly-in on June 15-16. We took some of the nation’s foremost soil health-focused farmers and coalition partners to meet with leading House and Senate Agriculture Committee members.
Read MoreWe’re excited to share this recently released recording from the Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center conference on “Innovation, Investment and Policy in Regenerative Agriculture”. Last month, our Executive Director, Aria McLauchlan, spoke on the "Policy and Investment in Regenerative Agriculture" panel, alongside an all-star line-up of thought leaders, innovators, soil health experts, policy makers, and financiers from all over the world to discuss goals, policies and opportunities for the rapid adoption of soil health and regenerative agriculture practices.
Read MoreAfter nearly a year in the making, and with the support of many of you in this community, we were proud to announce the launch of Regenerate America™ campaign last week.
Land Core came on board at the very beginning of the campaign to help create the policy platform and help build the coalition that underpins this ambitious effort to ensure that the 2023 Farm Bill amplifies the voices of farmers and ranchers and shifts resources and support towards regenerative agriculture.
Read MoreAfter almost a year of work, and with the support of many of you in our community, we are proud to help launch Regenerate America™ this week - a campaign for healthy soil in the 2023 Farm Bill. It’s never been more important to rebuild our soils and ensure that the next generations have a better, more resilient future. We hope you'll join the campaign - as individuals, and with your farms, organizations and businesses. Everyone is encouraged & welcome!
Read MorePolicy memos, speaking & events, & your usual reading list.
Read MoreThe war in Ukraine and rising energy prices have highlighted the extent to which our current food production system is trapping farmers in a cycle of dependency. Our government needs to establish a path forward to give our farmers the tools to transition away from the current dependency system it has created, and towards an independent, regenerative, soil health-focused American agriculture.
Read MoreApril 27 webinar by Land Core’s Aria McLauchlan and Harley Cross presented a foundation for monetizing soil health practices through insurance and lending.
Read MoreAlongside several food and farming organizations, Land Core submitted a request to Congress to invest in soil health and resilient agriculture through the FY 2023 appropriations process, in which Congress annually approves billions in discretionary funding for farm and food programs.
Read MoreThe soil needs you! The opportunity to get your representatives to support the farmers who are leading this charge is within reach and is needed now more than ever! Here are a few ways you can get started as a soil health policy advocate.
Read MoreSpring is in the air, seeds are in the ground, and your March news is here!
Read MoreBig news for Land Core's Risk Model: Sarah Manski, PhD Candidate in Statistics at Michigan State University, and our lead analyst on the Land Core Risk Model project, was awarded the inaugural Neogen Land Grant Prize! Congratulations, Sarah!
Read MoreWe're pleased to introduce the newest feature in our Federal Soil Health Bill Tracker! Using the Legislators tab, you can now see your representative's support for soil health at a glance, and find their contact information to share your feedback.
Read MoreWe're thrilled to have been accepted into Invoking the Pause’s (ITP) inaugural Climate Challenge cohort.
Read MoreWe were thrilled to be at Natural Products Expo West this month, (re)connecting with colleagues and partners, and feeling the excitement and momentum behind soil health and regenerative ag, including among brands and consumers. Aria spoke on a panel about policy as a powerful tool for scaling up business solutions.
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