The U.S. Sustainability Alliance

As Thanksgiving approaches, discover how researchers at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are using AI to enhance ?? cranberry production. Techniques such as image analysis and computer vision are helping accelerate and scale up the development of new strains of berries that are more productive, of higher quality, and, crucially, climate-resilient. Watch the video below to learn more ?? ?? ??

Analysis by USSA member the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) sheds new light on the environmental impact of leather. It finds that far more hides are going to waste than estimates suggest, leading to a serious under-calculation of the emissions that result from this waste material. Discover more about the work LHCA is doing to establish a comprehensive lifecycle analysis for U.S. leather production in this free online article by Kevin Latner, senior VP at LHCA. #CarbonFootprint #LeatherIndustry #SustainableLeather ?? ?? ??

??$3 billion ??135 projects ??????21,000 farms ??100+ commodities USDA's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative aims to expand market opportunities for commodities produced using climate-smart practices. Since September 2022, it has invested more than $3 billion in 135 pilot projects involving 21,000 farms covering 100+ commodities and 200+ climate-smart practices. One of the projects benefitting from this innovative program can be found in the mountains of Puerto Rico, where climate-smart practices are revitalizing coffee farming. The Cooperative League of the United States of America and its partners are leading efforts to rebuild Puerto Rico's coffee industry, which was decimated by hurricanes in 2017. By implementing climate-smart practices on 4,000 hectares of land – such as planting shade trees and cover crops – and expanding markets for the resulting high-quality coffee cherries, CLUSA hopes to help more than 2,000 small and underserved farmers – like Gustavo Arroyo – build more economically and environmentally resilient operations. Watch Gustavo’s story: https://lnkd.in/eKfw5xp3 USDA USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) DelicioUS! National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA) SustainCERT University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras #ClimateSmart #ClimateSmartAgriculture #ClimateAction #Coffee

Researchers at Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences have developed an innovative solution that will allow farmers to boost pollinator habitat. ???? Thanks to new multiseed pellets shaped like corn seeds, farmers can now plant strips of milkweed or wildflowers next to their fields using their existing planting equipment. ???? This breakthrough could help transform low-biodiversity crop fields into thriving habitats for bees, monarchs, and other insect pollinators! Stay tuned for more updates as this technology is tested and refined. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e2zs6hiK #Biodiversity #Pollinators

Sievers Family Farms in Iowa is one of a growing number of farms using manure-based anaerobic digesters. These digesters convert farm waste into valuable renewable products, such as renewable natural gas and fertilizer, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In October, USSA visited this fifth-generation farm with a delegation of EU officials to explore the environmental benefits of anaerobic digestion. Learn more about Sievers Family Farms: https://lnkd.in/e2d39KDm Bryan Sievers, Tarik Eluri, Jennifer Wilson, Daniel Heady, Iowa Farm Bureau

?? Hear from Krysta Harden, President and CEO at the U.S. Dairy Export Council, live from COP29. She shares the compelling story of U.S. dairy in the video below???? #COP29 #USDairy

Farmers are under increasing pressure due to climate change, global conflicts, and trade disruptions. However, advances in plant breeding offer hope, writes Andy LaVigne, President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). He emphasizes that with the right policy environment, innovations such as genome editing can help farmers overcome challenges to feed a growing world population sustainably. Read Andy’s article on unlocking the full potential of plant breeding innovation: https://lnkd.in/ehgEcsiU #BetterSeedBetterLife #JustGrowIt #GenomeEditing #PlantBreeding

In early October 2024, representatives from the Nebraska and Missouri Departments of Agriculture and Hereford breeders from both states visited the UK with U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. (USLGE), a?USSA?member. Their objective was to build relationships with UK Hereford breeders, discuss the environmental and productivity benefits of U.S. Hereford genetics for their herds, and promote next year’s Hereford World Conference. Read more about the USLGE visit to the UK: https://lnkd.in/e5aZGRDH Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Missouri Department of Agriculture Jordan Schlake #USgenetics

??We realize it's only November, but did you know that climate change is leading to rising insect and disease outbreaks that cause significant losses to the Christmas tree industry? The North Carolina State Christmas Tree Genetics Program is making strides toward developing climate-resilient Fraser fir trees! Thanks to a $7.5 million grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the program is closer than ever to creating "elite" trees that can withstand future climate challenges. ?? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e6eJcMEW #ClimateResilience #SustainableFarming #TreeGenetics North Carolina State University Photo by Mark Stebnicki

?? Join the conversation! The U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA) is the voice of sustainable farming, fisheries, forestry, and related production and processing sectors, across the U.S. Since 2013, we’ve worked to promote sustainable practices and share knowledge with producers around the world. Together, we can support those who rely on our land and waters for food, clothing, and materials. Sign up for our LinkedIn newsletter to stay updated on how we’re working towards a sustainable future! ?? Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gBDEuUEB #Sustainability #USSA #SustainableAgriculture