Straus Family Creamery’s Post

In a bid to mitigate the effects of climate change and drive a more equitable food system, the University of California (U.C.) system has committed to supporting regenerative farming. The system's new procurement pledge aims to ensure reliable demand for regeneratively raised meat, giving a boost to the state's independent ranchers and rural economy while bolstering the local and regional meat supply chain. With the U.C. dining system serving over 600,000 meals a day during the academic year, proponents of the new pledge see a sizable volume that can drive positive change. While not all pasture-based ranchers have adopted paddock-based regenerative practices, the number appears to be growing. The holistic principles of regenerative ranching go hand in hand with land stewardship and animal welfare. By mimicking nature, the grazing patterns of ruminants benefit from natural forage and room to roam, maximizing soil health and biodiversity of plants, insects, and other animals. This is a significant step towards a more sustainable and equitable food system. What other measures do you think can be taken to mitigate the effects of climate change in the food industry? #regenerativeagriculture #cattlefarming #sustainableagriculture Source: https://lnkd.in/g6bMhZj8

For those in the animal food industry and not sure where to start with a materiality assessment, here's a great tool from Institute for Feed Education and Research that will get you started. My guess, you are already doing some of these things (the resource provides examples of what some companies are doing today). #FeedIndustry #AnimalFood #Sustainability

Earth, Soil, Food: Honoring Our Agricultural Heritage Rooted in a deep respect for our agricultural heritage, LocalHarvest Networks champions a sustainable future for food. We bridge the gap between local farmers and consumers, fostering a resilient food system that prioritizes both environmental stewardship and community health. Soil: The Foundation of Life At the heart of agriculture lies soil, the very foundation upon which life thrives. This precious resource, a complex ecosystem teeming with microorganisms, is the cradle of our crops, providing them with essential nutrients and support. Over millennia, soil has been formed through the intricate interplay of natural forces, weathering rocks, and the decomposition of organic matter. Honoring Our Agricultural Heritage As we celebrate our agricultural heritage, we must acknowledge the profound contributions of generations of farmers, who have toiled tirelessly to cultivate the land and provide for our sustenance. Their knowledge, passed down through time, has been instrumental in shaping agricultural practices and ensuring food security. Sustainable Practices for a Thriving Future Looking towards the future, we must embrace sustainable agricultural practices that preserve the health of our soil, protect our environment, and ensure the long-term viability of our food systems. By adopting sustainable techniques like crop rotation, cover cropping, and integrated pest management, we can minimize reliance on harmful chemicals and safeguard soil integrity. At LocalHarvest Networks, we share a deep respect for our agricultural heritage. As we celebrate the legacy of farmers who nurtured the land, we're committed to building a more sustainable future for agriculture. By connecting local farmers directly with consumers and restaurants, we're fostering a system that prioritizes both environmental stewardship and food security. Through innovation and collaboration, LocalHarvest Networks cultivates a world where abundance and sustainability go hand-in-hand. Let's work together to ensure a thriving future for local agriculture and a legacy of healthy, fresh food for generations to come.

Corporate sustainability goes beyond just reducing greenhouse gas emissions! The Institute for Feed Education and Research just launched a new resource defining and outlining 16 material issue areas identified as important for consideration in animal food industry sustainability efforts. What's included? 📖 A description of each material issue 📶The potential value of the issue to the animal food industry 🔎Industry examples identifying the value, action and benefit of an issue from an industry member’s perspective Check it out now at ifeeder.org/materialissues

The nation’s seen huge upheaval in the last eight years. A flawed food system has left the UK at the tipping point of catastrophic environmental and human health crises. We need policies that create jobs, improve rural livelihoods while delivering sustainable and economically viable food and farming systems Restoring this balance and equity requires ambition and vision from Government. The long-term effects of recent policies are still unfolding, but the need for action is urgent. One thing is clear; we must aspire to accomplish more. By considering organic’s four founding principles, our new manifesto identifies solutions that address the huge disparity that exists in current food and farming systems. The Principles of Health, Ecology, Fairness, and care are the roots from which organic agriculture grows and develops. They express the contribution that organic agriculture can make to the world, and a vision to improve all agriculture in a global context. Implementing OF&G’s recommendations would have a massive, beneficial impact on the resilence and fairness of our food system. Organic is a defined farming system and operates to the highest level of compliance to deliver on all four of the principles outlined The recent formal adoption of regulation on nature restoration by the EU shows that, with political will, change is possible. By advocating for policy changes that support health, ecology, fairness, and care, we can create a sustainable, equitable, vibrant and healthy food system. Organic is a defined farming system and operates to the highest level of compliance. Organic is part of the solution to the challenges confronting us but is not just about changing farming practices, it is about championing a profound, positive impact on our society and the planet. #NOC24 #ThePowerOfOrganic #proudtobeorganic #IGrowYourFood #IFOAMorganicseurope #regenerativefarming #ofgorganic #sustainability #agriculturebiologique #health #sustainablefarming #organicfarming #organic #organicfood #organiclife #UKorganic #organicresearchcentre #biodynamic #sustainabledevelopment #farmingforthefuture Paul Holmbeck  Eric Gall  Vicki Hird  Sarah Compson  Alex Cullen  James Cashmore  Adam Forrest  Adrian Carne Cristina Dimetto  Maria Taffurelli  Steven Jacobs  Becky George  Debs Roberts  Jo Barron

The Guardian's report delves into the controversy surrounding the labeling of Scottish farmed salmon as organic, with charities denouncing the practice as unacceptable greenwashing. This revelation underscores concerns about the credibility of organic certification standards and the need for greater transparency in the seafood industry. By highlighting discrepancies between the environmental impact of salmon farming practices and the organic label, environmental groups emphasize the importance of accurate labeling to inform consumer choices and promote sustainable food production. This development prompts contemplation on the complexities of organic certification and the challenges of ensuring integrity in labeling practices. It underscores the imperative for regulators and industry stakeholders to uphold stringent standards and prevent misleading greenwashing tactics that undermine trust in organic products. As discussions around sustainable food production intensify, this news underscores the importance of transparent labeling and genuine efforts to address environmental concerns within the aquaculture sector. #SalmonGreenwashing #OrganicLabeling #SustainableSeafood #FoodTransparency #ConsumerEducation

Daniel White, CEO & Co-Founder of Clean Crop Technologies, Inc. recently joined Martita Mestéy - Durruthy (she/her/ella) of Authority Magazine to share how Clean Crop is helping to create a more resilient food supply chain that is less dependent on fossil fuels. “For customers, we have seen that the $78B crop protection market is in a period of transition. Existing fungicides and other seed treatments are facing increasing regulatory headwinds, and many growers interested in transitioning to regenerative practices find limited options for soil-friendly crop protection products. Clean Crop’s vision is to reduce in-field plant disease pressure through removing contaminants from the seeds before planting that leaves no residues. At scale, we can reduce the need for intensive spraying through reducing disease transmission via the seed from field to field — increasing yields and reducing in-field waste across a wide range of categories.” Check out the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/dnDPp5ke

Introducing our new Organic Dairy Sustainability Incentive Program and new farm partnerships as we celebrate 30 years of environmental stewardship and organic dairy products. Recognizing the urgent need for collective action in reducing climate change and strengthening the farming and food system, Straus Family Creamery’s groundbreaking practice-based incentive program —which is among the first of its kind from a dairy processor— supports its supplying organic dairy farms in achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. Financial incentives are allocated to farms based on qualified practice implementation, not through the purchase of offsets or based on post-practice results. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gx8GYSkk #CarbonNeutral #OrganicDairy #StrausFamilyCreamery #Straus30 #OrganicDairyFarms #ClimateAction #FarmerIncentives #SustainableAg #OrganicFarming #AlwaysOrganic #Regenerative

A Winemaking Byproduct Can Reduce Dairy Cattle Emissions Researchers at University of California, Davis, added fresh grape pomace left over from winemaking operations to alfalfa-based feed for dairy cows and found that methane emissions were reduced by 10% to 11%. The preliminary findings could offer a low-cost sustainable pathway for vineyards to reduce waste while helping dairy operations maintain quality while cutting back on emissions of methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas. Could you think about such a non-obvious advantage of wine? Source: https://lnkd.in/dRtZaAau

BSF in the news: "Closing the loop: building a zero-waste food system". An interesting article from FAO. "[...] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), for example, has set up a farm school for the production of black soldier fly larvae. The larvae feed on organic waste and thereby reduce food waste. The dried larvae are used as animal feed in agriculture, and the frass can be turned into organic fertilizer. Companies also can upcycle food by-products into new products, such milk alternatives and nut spreads produced from unused fruit pits, or soups and jams made with surplus vegetables and fruits. These efforts not only benefit the environment but can also create new revenue streams." Full text: https://lnkd.in/d2x7EcQv #agritech #insects #agriculture #food #insectfarming #feed #insectos #insectes #farming #moscasoldadonegro #insecten #insectfarm #foodinnovation #foodindustry #blacksoldierfly #animalfeed #feedindustry #feedingredients #biowaste #organicwaste #wastemanagement #sustainability #circulareconomy #circulaireeconomie #regenerativefarming #salmonfarming #fishfeed #aquafeed #aquaculture #fishfarm #fishfarming #poultry #chickenfarm #chicken #poultryfeed #poultryfarming #farmanimals #alternativeproteins #frass #fertilizer #fertilizers #alternativeprotein