InCommon Group

Our co-founder Erica Campbell recently sat down for the Seeds of Hope podcast to talk about the complicated choices consumers may face when trying to "purchase with purpose". With decades of experience in agriculture and food systems, Erica brings clarity to the complexity of navigating certifications, labels, and marketing claims. (Spoiler: knowing your farmer is always the best!) While films like Common Ground (Movie) and the 100 Million Acres campaign are raising awareness, building better food ways requires consumer education and transparency. Brands and organizations are increasingly stepping up to meet this need–listen to the full episode to learn more!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has frozen some funding for farmers as it goes through a sweeping review,?despite assurances?from the Trump administration that programs helping farmers would not be affected in the government overhaul. Apologies for the late post - this went out on Reuters late Friday/early Saturday (and was flattered to see other media outlets follow us). My latest with Leah Douglas https://lnkd.in/g28dg__Y

"As early Executive Orders indicate, the political priorities of the new administration are likely to be disruptive or even contradictory to much of what was undertaken by President Biden." Fixing the U.S. food system is a major undertaking, but at InCommon, we believe that ensuring people have access to healthy food grown in ways that help heal our planet shouldn't be a partisan issue. In this post, we dive into the work done by the Biden administration on regional food systems and fair markets, where that left off, and what President Trump is likely (or not) to pick up based on his first seven days.

What will it take to make America healthy? Here are some of InCommon Group's thoughts about the possibilities--and risks--of the next administration. What are your thoughts & ideas? ?? #maha #regenerative #organic #foodismedicine #healthyfood #foodaccess #farmers #agriculture #farmbill https://lnkd.in/ePtrmHem

Do you believe that #regenerative practices in animal agriculture improve the nutritional quality of meat and animal-based products like yogurt, dairy, cheese and eggs? WE do! ?? That's why we have teamed up with Edacious to launch our "Regen Protein Research Project" which explores the impact of different animal production systems on nutritional outcomes. We'll look at animal proteins raised using regenerative and conventional methods and see how they measure up. ?? Interested in being part of the project and getting your animal protein products analyzed? We'd love to have you! See below for more details. ?? The project is designed to achieve the following goals for participants and the NDA: 1. Analyze the nutrient density of animal products for members of the Nutrient Density Alliance. 2. Compare participant products to conventionally produced retail samples. 3. Build a project dashboard for participants to share data that includes all the nutrient density and management data collected through the project. 4. Share anonymized results with the public to raise awareness about the nutrient density in food and increase interest in the work of the NDA. 5. Inform future studies in collaboration with academic partners, either on agriculture or health-related areas of inquiry. ?? When animals are treated humanely, pasture raised, #grassfed, and living in concert with nature, they tend to have higher levels of many nutrients like Omega 3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, phytosterols, carotenoids and much more. Let's learn together and help improve environmental and human health and ensure happier lives for animals. More info here: https://lnkd.in/gx8rpArd

“Corporate value chains are not fundamentally designed in order to nourish people, nor to ensure access to food”. IPES-Food's latest report, #FoodFromSomewhere, is an incredibly timely assessment of how innovative, informal, and localized food markets and short food chains are feeding people around the world in a time of increasing global hunger and straining supply chains. While a shocking 70% of the world’s farmland is controlled by 1% of the world’s largest farms, as the report shows, 70% of people around the world are fed by “small-scale producers and workers in ‘peasant food webs’”, via territorial markets (aka local food systems). The fragility of a globalized and industrialized food system has been made clear over the past few years, but by mapping out various forms of localized food networks and their benefits to communities, the environment, and the economy, the report demonstrates how these markets enhance resilience and build food security. Territorial markets: - play a crucial role in providing healthy, a?ordable food for all - promote dietary diversity and nutrient-rich foods - are highly responsive & adaptable in the face of shocks (despite adverse policies) - foster low-input, biodiverse small-scale food production - build trust & connection within communities & play a key role in sustaining food cultures At InCommon, we are so glad to be working to advance these important local and regional markets. For eye-opening examples of territorial markets around the world that are fundamentally transforming the food system, be sure to check out the full report. P.S. Don’t let the use of “territorial” turn you off - remember that the word is rooted in the earth, literally!

After nearly 25 years working within various organizations and government roles to advance healthy, just, and resilient food systems, I am thrilled to announce the launch of InCommon Group! With my amazing partner, Ayesha Ali, we will be working all along the supply chain to provide strategic planning, facilitation, advocacy, government relations, strategic communications, and storytelling services to organizations, businesses, and communities. Please reach out if you are interested in partnering with us to advance community-first food systems - drop us a message at InCommonGroup.com or [email protected]. We’ll also continue to be part of the incredible Regenerate America campaign, working with Kiss The Ground and Soil & Climate Alliance to further build momentum for a more regenerative Farm Bill. We are so proud of all that we have built through this coalition, and are grateful to all its members, including: Earthjustice Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Dr. Bronner's Madewell Applegate Land Core Green America Soil4Climate Inc. American Sustainable Business Network Biodynamic Demeter Alliance Brother's Bond Bourbon Fearless Farmers Gaia Herbs Green Cover Handsome Brook Farms Heifer Intertribal Agriculture Council King Arthur Baking Company Mad Agriculture National Black Farmers Association Oatman Farms LLC Pennsylvania Farmers Union Other Half Processing SBC Tree-Range? Farms Zero Foodprint White Oak Pastures Quinn's Foods Regenerative Agriculture Alliance Regenerative Farmers of America Regenerative Rising Savory Institute Timberland TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation Understanding Ag, LLC - Experts in Regenerative Ag US Composting Council Calla Rose Ostrander https://lnkd.in/d7mRgs64

“Situated along the perennial San Juan River, a community of Diné farmers in Shiprock, New Mexico draws water from the river for irrigation. The Toohnii Binaneest??? A?taas?éí Alliance (ToohBAA) is an Indigenous woman-led Diné farmers’ collective incorporated under the Navajo Nation Corporation Code. Toohnii –“water edge people”, Binaneest??? – “their farm produce”, A?taas?éí – “myriad of”; or, the myriad variety of farm produce grown by the river edge people.? The acronym ToohBAA is a powerful term in itself, meaning “water edge”.” Last month, 20 Diné farmers went to D.C. to advocate for Indigenous food sovereignty – read more about their story here: https://lnkd.in/gcgrtNHk