The U.S. Sustainability Alliance

Healthy soils are the foundation of productivity and climate resilience, as highlighted by USSA's David Green and Maite Caballero in their article for Open Access Government. They explore the fundamentals of #SoilHealth, outlining key policies, programs and practices. They also outline the contrasting approaches taken by the EU and the United States, where partnership, collaboration and region-specific solutions are paramount. Read David and Maite's article on U.S. soil conservation: https://lnkd.in/eU5Ntcpt Open Access Government David Green Maite Caballero Tomàs

Farewell Reflection: Export Impact’s Journey 📢 As I wrap up this remarkable chapter as USDA's Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, I’m proud to share this final “Export Impact” post. It highlights not only record-breaking results but also the unwavering strength of American agriculture on the global stage. Though this chapter closes for me, the journey of innovation, resilience, and collaboration continues with all of you. I look forward to witnessing the incredible progress ahead. 🚜🌎 Check out the post here: https://lnkd.in/ejGjGpy6 #ExportImpact #USDA #Agriculture #AmericanAgriculture #GlobalTrade #InnovationInAgriculture

Swapping grass for seaweed could make cattle farming more sustainable! 🌿🐄 A new world-first study from UC Davis shows that feeding grazing beef cattle a seaweed supplement can cut their methane emissions by almost 40% without affecting their health or weight. This breakthrough offers a promising way to reduce the environmental impact of livestock, which accounts for 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ez4_-xvT Photo: Beef steers graze on a ranch in Dillon, Montana. The machine nearby releases a seaweed supplement while also measuring the cattle’s methane emissions. (Paulo de Méo Filho / UC Davis) University of California, Davis #CattleFarming #SeaweedSupplement #MethaneReduction

Kick off your week with insights into export demand for U.S. soybeans courtesy of Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council 🌱 ✅ A key highlight for us is the discussion on the growing sustainability and quality advantage of U.S. Soy (at 7:40)! Tune in to the Open Mic conversation, link below 👇🏻 U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) #USSoy

In 2020, 15% of animal hides produced in the United States were either burned or ended up in landfills, according to data from the Leather and Hide Council of America. But there's good news! A recent report from The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) Institute and USDA highlights innovative uses for these waste hides aimed at reducing the cost of removing them for small processors while delivering revenue and increasing market resilience. The report presents applications in six categories: pet chews, beef rinds, parchment, bone broth, casings for smoked meat products, compost, and renewable energy and biobased products. Solutions range from low-tech, low-investment to high-tech, high-investment. Visit our website for more details: https://lnkd.in/entD2NHd #WasteToValue #LeatherInnovation #SustainableMaterials

"Potential for U.S. Agriculture to be Greenhouse Gas Negative" is a new publication from CAST (Council for Agricultural Science and Technology) and U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action. Written by 26 independent researchers and peer-reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences, this new report explores how U.S. agriculture can reduce its carbon footprint and potentially achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) neutrality. It identifies five major areas where agriculture can cut its GHG emissions most significantly and outlines the conservation practices that could have the greatest impact. Visit our website for more details: https://lnkd.in/eyNtVPfn #sustainableagriculture #greenhousegasnegative #carbonfootprint #climatesmart Photo by Mark Stebnicki

Since September 2022, USDA has invested $3.03 billion in 135 projects as part of Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. This initiative aims to expand opportunities for climate-smart commodities and equip producers with the tools they need to tackle climate change while accessing new markets and income streams. What climate-smart commodities are the projects supporting? Where are these commodities being produced, and which conservation practices are being most commonly adopted? A new visual-led report answers these questions and more, providing key facts and figures on the initiative’s success. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/eqrxxiF2 Photo: Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities in action! In the mountains of Puerto Rico, climate-smart practices are transforming coffee production. The Cooperative League of the United States of America (CLUSA) and its partners are leading efforts to rebuild an industry decimated by hurricanes in 2017. #ClimateSmartCommodities #ClimateAction National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA) Marcus Laws Kirsten Luxbacher

We're kicking off the new year with an inspiring farmer story! Meet Tennessee cotton grower Bob Walker, recently named Farmer of the Year in Field to Market’s Sustainable Leadership Awards. Bob co-owns and operates Walker Farms in Yum Yum, Tennessee, with his brother. They raise cattle and grow cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay, primarily on land that has been in their family since the 1830s, using a range of climate-smart practices. Learn more about sustainability on Walker Farms: https://lnkd.in/ecEcFmiW Story via Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture

From Alaska to Paris, the U.S. Sustainability Alliance has championed sustainable U.S. agriculture and production in 2024, covering everything from salmon to soybeans and cotton to leather. And we are excited to continue our efforts to spread the word in the year ahead, wherever that takes us! On behalf of the USSA, we wish you all a happy and healthy new year and look forward to keeping you updated on the latest sustainability news and views in 2025 - and beyond. #USSA #USagriculture #happynewyear

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.