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Arizona State University Launches Kernel Program to Boost Domestic Organic Farming

Arizona State University Launches Kernel Program to Boost Domestic Organic Farming

Arizona State University’s Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems has launched a new nationwide organic mentorship program called Kernel. This initiative aims to address the long-standing inability of American farmers to meet the demand for organic products, which has led to billions of dollars being spent on foreign organic imports. Kernel will provide mentorship, technical assistance, and networking opportunities to farmers, ranchers, and handlers transitioning to organic practices. The program builds upon the success of the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), which is set to conclude on September 30. Kernel officially launched on October 1, with a budget primarily dedicated to compensating mentors, offering $1,000 per mentee for up to five mentees, aiming for approximately 2,000 mentor/mentee pairings. The program seeks to overcome financial, time, and knowledge barriers associated with USDA Organic certification, including the challenging three-year transition period during whi...
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Cultivated Meat Company Meatly Scales Production to Achieve Price Parity with Traditional Meat

Cultivated Meat Company Meatly Scales Production to Achieve Price Parity with Traditional Meat

Cultivated Meat Company Meatly Scales Production to Achieve Price Parity with Traditional Meat
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ArkeaBio Secures $15 Million for Livestock Methane Reduction Technology, Reduces Workforce

ArkeaBio Secures $15 Million for Livestock Methane Reduction Technology, Reduces Workforce

ArkeaBio Secures $15 Million for Livestock Methane Reduction Technology, Reduces Workforce
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USDA National Organic Program Lacks Established Pathway for Cultivated Meat Certification

USDA National Organic Program Lacks Established Pathway for Cultivated Meat Certification

USDA National Organic Program Lacks Established Pathway for Cultivated Meat Certification
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AI Adoption Improves Environmental Management in Livestock Firms, Faces Financial Constraints

AI Adoption Improves Environmental Management in Livestock Firms, Faces Financial Constraints

AI Adoption Improves Environmental Management in Livestock Firms, Faces Financial Constraints
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Goodland Gardens Seeks Edible Landscape Gardener in California

Goodland Gardens Seeks Edible Landscape Gardener in California

Goodland Gardens Seeks Edible Landscape Gardener in California
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Regenerative Agriculture Gains Traction in U.S. Amidst Challenges for Smallholder Farmers

Regenerative Agriculture Gains Traction in U.S. Amidst Challenges for Smallholder Farmers

Regenerative agriculture, a farming approach focused on restoring soil health, rebuilding biodiversity, and improving farmer well-being, is experiencing significant growth in the United States. Approximately 25 million acres in the U.S. are now certified under third-party standards for regenerative practices. This movement aims to reverse the negative impacts of the Green Revolution, which, while averting famine, led to degraded soils, diminished biodiversity, and polluted water. Regenerative farming seeks to deliver a net climate benefit and produce food sustainably. However, the movement faces challenges, particularly for smallholder farmers who constitute a large portion of global food producers. These farmers often encounter lower yields and higher costs during the transition to regenerative methods, and there is a lack of consensus on how to measure results. Financing, training, and market rewards for regenerative practices are also lagging behind farmer interest, hindering broader adoption.
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Organic Food May Still Contain Pesticides, Emphasizing Natural vs. Synthetic Differences

Organic Food May Still Contain Pesticides, Emphasizing Natural vs. Synthetic Differences

Organic Food May Still Contain Pesticides, Emphasizing Natural vs. Synthetic Differences
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USDA Organic Seal Signifies Rigorous Standards for U.S. Food Products

USDA Organic Seal Signifies Rigorous Standards for U.S. Food Products

The term 'organic' in the United States is a federally protected legal designation governed by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). For a food item to carry the USDA Organic seal, it must adhere to strict production methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices, promoting resource cycling, ecological balance, and biodiversity. This means organic farmers are prohibited from using synthetic fertilizers, most conventional pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), irradiation, and sewage sludge. There are three main categories for organic labeling: '100% Organic' for products with all certified organic ingredients, 'Organic' for products with at least 95% certified organic ingredients, and 'Made with Organic [Ingredient]' for products with at least 70% organic ingredients, which do not display the USDA seal. The verification process involves a three-year transition period for farms, submission of an 'Organic System Plan,' annual audits by third-party certifiers, and periodi...
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WWF Hungary Releases Documentary Series on Water Crisis in Hungarian Sandridge

WWF Hungary Releases Documentary Series on Water Crisis in Hungarian Sandridge

WWF Hungary has produced a new three-part documentary series focusing on the water crisis in the Hungarian Sandridge, located within the Danube-Tisza interfluve in central Hungary. The series, titled 'Homokhátság,' explores the causes of the region's water scarcity, the impact of climate change, and potential solutions to retain water in the landscape. Researchers, farmers, and local communities are featured, sharing their experiences and discussing adaptation strategies. The documentary highlights the importance of natural water retention, improving soil health, minimizing soil disturbance, using drought-tolerant crops, and introducing grassland management and extensive livestock farming. The series also showcases the 'Vízőrző' ('Water Guardian') movement, a local initiative demonstrating community action in protecting water resources. The current landscape, dominated by water-intensive arable farming and plantation-style forests, is deemed unsustainable due to its pressure on water resources, necessitati...
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Yale-Led Study Identifies Agricultural Liming as Significant Carbon Sink Over 120 Years

Yale-Led Study Identifies Agricultural Liming as Significant Carbon Sink Over 120 Years

A Yale-led study, published in Nature, challenges long-held assumptions by concluding that agricultural liming has removed between 300 and 400 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the Mississippi River Basin since 1900. This finding contradicts the default methodology of major climate assessments, including the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, which have historically treated liming as an emission source. The study, a retrospective analysis of 120 years of records from an area covering 41% of the contiguous United States and approximately 65% of U.S. croplands, argues that the error stemmed from an incomplete framework. Instead of measuring carbon released by limestone, the researchers focused on what would have occurred without liming, revealing a net carbon removal. Agricultural lime, primarily composed of calcium and magnesium carbonates, is routinely applied to U.S. croplands to manage soil pH, which is crucial for crop yields and nutrient availabilit...
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Advocates Promote Veganic Farming for Climate Resilience and Animal Welfare

Advocates Promote Veganic Farming for Climate Resilience and Animal Welfare

Animal-free agriculture, also known as veganic farming, is gaining traction as a sustainable practice that aims to reduce food waste, enhance production efficiency, and bolster climate resilience. This approach specifically avoids the use of animal products and by-products, focusing instead on plant-based methods. Proponents of veganic farming advocate for a substantial decrease in meat and dairy consumption, citing its potential to mitigate biodiversity loss and improve animal welfare. The movement aligns with increasing awareness regarding the ethical implications of traditional animal agriculture, which is frequently criticized for causing significant animal suffering and contributing to environmental degradation. Experts, such as Dr. Paul Behrens of Oxford University, highlight how a shift towards veganism could address various climate and ecological issues, while also influencing behavior and policy. The scientific community increasingly warns about the vulnerability of current food systems to climate...