In the News November 2021

By November 24, 2021VABF News

Compiled by Francesca Constantino

 

New Report Highlights Global Farmers Markets Creating Alternatives to Industrialized Food System

https://foodtank.com/news/2021/10/new-report-highlights-global-farmers-markets-creating-alternatives-to-industrialized-food-system/.

 

Public Interest Groups Urge the EPA to Regulate Factory Farm Emissions

Since 2005, large-scale livestock operations have skirted air pollution laws under a deal with the second Bush administration. Now, advocates are petitioning the EPA to do its duty.

https://civileats.com/2021/11/12/public-interest-groups-urge-the-epa-to-regulate-factory-farm-emissions/.

 

Nine charts that show why the US needs to tackle food emissions.

Food systems are significant contributors to the climate crisis with meat and dairy the greatest culprits. (Note: the emissions data is about industrial agriculture. Carbon sequestration in rotationally grazed pasture and range can offset much of the livestock enteric methane emissions.)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/10/nine-charts-why-us-tackle-food-emissions.

 

The cow in the room: why is no one talking about farming at Cop26?

Sustainable food systems are a cornerstone to cutting emissions but have been largely absent from the agenda in Glasgow

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/09/the-cow-in-the-room-why-is-no-one-talking-about-farming-at-cop26-aoe.

 

Maine Vote on Right to Food State Constitutional Amendment

On Tuesday, Maine voters will consider amending the state constitution to guarantee every resident’s right to food, defined as the ability to “grow, raise, harvest, produce, and consume the food of their own choosing,” as long as it doesn’t involve trespassing, stealing, poaching, or other illegal activities. If passed, it would mark the first constitutional amendment of its kind in the United States.

https://thecounter.org/maine-voters-to-consider-right-to-food-constitutional-amendment/.

 

Holistic Livestock Management in the News

A Different Kind of Land Management: Let the Cows Stomp.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/climate/regenerative-grazing-cattle-climate.html.

Ditching meat isn’t the answer for climate change. Better farming is.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/ditching-meat-isnt-the-answer-for-climate-change-better-farming-is/2021/05/14/86001c36-b426-11eb-ab43-bebddc5a0f65_story.html

 

New Report: Soil Health Is a Natural Climate Solution

A new comprehensive review of research on soil health and carbon storage published by the Izaak Walton League of America shows that increasing the use of proven soil health practices on farms will slow climate change, while producing benefits for water, wildlife and farmers. The report reviews the benefits of 24 climate-friendly conservation practices, discusses strategies to engage more farmers in implementing these practices, and provides a series of actionable recommendations. https://www.iwla.org/soils-agriculture/soilhealthreport

 

USDA Funds 15 Large Sustainable Agriculture Systems Projects

Beginning in 2019, the USDA’s flagship extramural research grants program, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) began funding large (up to $10 million) proposals to conduct sustainable agriculture systems research. This link provides descriptions of projects supported by this funding