The U.S. Sustainability Alliance

Did you know that in 2008, the U.S. dairy industry became the first in the food and agriculture sector to conduct a full life cycle assessment (LCA) on a national scale? Discover how U.S. Dairy uses data-driven insights to enhance sustainability strategies, reduce emissions and measure progress. And learn about two upcoming LCA projects that aim to establish a 2020 baseline for measuring progress, reflecting advancements in science and reporting over the past 16 years and enabling the industry to stay ahead of the curve. Read more in this Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy article https://lnkd.in/e2QqHCxr #LifeCycleAssessment #DairyInnovation #ScienceBasedSolutions USDA photo by Lance Cheung.

Eric Coronel, Field to Market's Director of Science and Research, was invited to join an Outbound Mission to the UK and EU organized by The U.S. Sustainability Alliance . During the five-day program, Eric provided expertise on U.S. voluntary and incentive-based approaches to agricultural GHG emission quantification; methods for measuring, monitoring, reporting and verification (MMRV) of GHG emissions; public and private partnerships; and the USDA's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program.

This Christmas marks the eleventh celebrated by the U.S. Sustainability Alliance, which was founded in 2013 as the voice of sustainable U.S. food and agricultural production. Today, we represent 28 farming, fishing, and forestry associations and supply chain partners who are responsible for approximately $10.6 billion of annual U.S. food and agricultural exports to the UK and EU. And that figure grows every year. We recognize that we have just one planet and that shared standards and approaches represent the best route forward. We are in this together and have a common ambition to support our planet today and tomorrow. Here's to a joyful holiday season and a sustainable future! 🌟 Merry Christmas from all of us at the U.S. Sustainability Alliance! 🎄 #MerryChristmas #HappyHolidays #SustainableAgriculture

As AIM for Climate, a joint U.S.-UAE initiative, prepares to wind down in 2025, a new report urges partners to continue its mission of addressing climate change and advancing global food security through increased investment and support for climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation. The report highlights barriers to investment, shares successful case studies, and provides four recommendations for partners to build on AIM for Climate’s success in 2025 and beyond. Read more and access the report: https://lnkd.in/eTXe6-Q4 Photo by the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate)

From December 9-13, I was invited to join The U.S. Sustainability Alliance Outbound Mission to the UK and the EU. It was the experience of a lifetime, and hearing the perspective from across the Atlantic was eye-opening. We all want agricultural production to be sustainable, resilient, and profitable for growers to continue their operations, and we must accept that we will take different approaches to achieving that goal. I provided expertise on two fronts: the work that Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture conducts to align the supply chain on science-based sustainability metrics, and our experience with voluntary approaches to agricultural GHG emission reductions through USDA's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. Some of the notable meetings included: • A roundtable discussion at the U.S. Embassy in London with 10+ organizations in the agricultural value chain. • Learning about the fantastic sustainability efforts from the NFU (National Farmers' Union) and the AHDB - Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. • In London’s Portcullis House, we had an informative dialogue with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture to describe sustainability metrics and grower engagement programs in the US. • In Brussels, we talked with the European Commission Directorate-General for Agriculture (DG AGRI), focusing on how agricultural sustainability is incentivized in the US and the EU.  • During the Transatlantic Dialogue for Sustainable Farming in the European Parliament, I presented about how we ensure mutual recognition for different approaches to sustainability. • In The Hague, we held discussions with CBL (Dutch Retailers’ Association) and the Dutch Young Farmers Association (NAJK (Nederlands Agrarisch Jongeren Kontakt)) about the impact of the EU and the Netherlands’ policies on agricultural production, cost, and trade. • At Wageningen University, we met with scientists behind the development of several ag sustainability frameworks. I returned home with dozens of pages of insights and ideas for developing new projects. Many thanks to The U.S. Sustainability Alliance and their cooperators for this opportunity!

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has announced more than $250 million in funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to support America’s rural economies. More than 1,100 clean energy projects across 40 states will receive support through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), made possible in part by the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in clean energy and climate action in the nation’s history. Read more about the projects being invested in: https://lnkd.in/e6nZ2m_b Photo: Mr. Aaron Webb of Webb Farm Solar Systems, Inc. has received assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to develop energy-efficiency improvements. #InflationReductionAct #CleanEnergy #REAP #ClimateAction

Thank you, Teresa Miller, for participating in our USSA visit to Europe! We appreciate you sharing your insights and inspiring examples of sustainability. Here's to more opportunities to showcase sustainable U.S. agriculture and food production in 2025!

Did you know that North Carolina leads U.S. sweetpotato production, accounting for more than 60% of the nation's total annual crop? While states like California, Mississippi, and Louisiana also contribute, North Carolina’s long, hot summers create the perfect conditions for these nutrient-packed powerhouses. Packed with Vitamins C and A, sweetpotatoes are more than just a holiday staple - they’re a year-round favorite, thanks to their health benefits and versatility. #SweetPotatoes #NorthCarolinaGrown #FarmFresh #HealthyEating #USAgriculture North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission Photo by Mark Stebnicki

As the world convened for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) to address some of the most pressing global challenges, the leather industry came to the table with a solution, not a problem. With new data accepted on leather’s low carbon footprint, the industry seized the opportunity to advocate for a critical shift in how this material should be viewed in the fight against climate change. Kevin Latner of the Leather and Hide Council of America elaborates in an exclusive article for the USSA. Read Kevin’s article: https://lnkd.in/eikPc8xE #realleather #RLSD #sustainableleather #USALeather #SustainableFashion

As our Outbound Mission to the UK, Belgium and The Netherlands draws to a close, we want to thank our partners and USSA representatives Nicholas Gardner, Teresa Miller and Eric Coronel for their dedication and invaluable contributions throughout the week.🌱 It has been a week filled with insightful discussions, real-world examples and information sharing as we strive towards climate-smart agriculture. Here's to continuing the conversation as we work together to make a lasting impact! #ClimateSmartAg #GlobalCollaboration #SustainabilityJourney Watch some highlights from our week in the video below!