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Renewable energy is an important topic that has significant implications for agriculture, our natural resources and the security and well-being of our nation. That’s why I was pleased to participate in a dialogue sponsored by 25 x ‘25 on this subject. We need to find common ground on such issues in order to capture the full potential of Continue reading Agriculture, Renewable Energy and the Conservation Reserve Program From the Nation’s Capitol A USDA report released Tuesday shows that voluntary incentive-based efforts by farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed have helped in reducing runoff. Still, the report revealed that 80 percent of the cropland in that area still needs additional conservation work. This week, the USDA announced it will provide nearly $6 million in Continue reading Farm and Food News 3/18/11 Fresh water across America is threatened by many sources, from manufacturing and waste treatment emissions to storm water drainage. Agriculture also plays a role—nutrient runoff from agriculture is a primary cause of degradation in two-thirds of our coastal waterways. But as the single largest user of land and water resources in America, farmers and ranchers can Continue reading A Pledge to Protect Our Nation’s Water The 2010 midterm elections brought significant changes to the makeup of Congress. In the House, the Republican Party gained 63 seats to take a 242 to 193 majority, while in the Senate, the GOP gained five seats, narrowing the Democrat majority from 53 to 47. The November results also brought a change of leadership at the House Continue reading The New Political Landscape – Farm Policy Implications As a California rancher, I know first hand the innumerable challenges facing individual producers and the California agricultural industry: water, regulations, labor, invasive species, urbanization, environmental quality, energy and climate change, to name a few. Alone, each of these challenges is intimidating – together, the list seems downright daunting! But as our nation’s leading farm Continue reading A New Vision for California Agriculture Our new Guide to Environmental Markets for Farmers and Ranchers explains how producers can sell environmental services generated on their farms while continuing their normal farming operations. Click for PDF of Guide The guide explains the current status of these markets and opportunities that exist for farmers and ranchers — what these markets can be worth, what must Continue reading New Guide to Environmental Markets for Farmers and Ranchers With the Senate considering energy legislation this week, Congress must seize this chance to pass a strong national Renewable Energy Standard (RES). An RES is a regulation that requires the increased production of energy from renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal. A robust RES will bolster the farm economy, help curb climate change and drive America towards energy independence. Because of Continue reading US Agriculture Needs the Renewable Energy Standard Recently, President Obama attended the White House Conference on America’s Great Outdoors to speak and sign a memorandum that sets a 21st century conservation agenda to bridge public and private efforts to conserve outdoor spaces (including farmland) and connect Americans with the outdoors. While the efforts of farmers and the importance of farmland conservation were mentioned by the Continue reading Don’t Forget Farmland is a Part of America’s Great Outdoors Image: U.S. Coast Guard As I write this post, the oil rig explosion continues to degrade the Gulf of Mexico, damaging marine ecosystems, local fishing and tourism industries and threatening farms and farmland —a tragic and poignant illustration of how valuable and fragile our nation’s natural resources are. Upsetting as it is to watch, it also Continue reading Oil and Agriculture While others debate how to reduce carbon emissions, students at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, are calculating the carbon footprint of their activities, then paying local farmers to offset those emissions with healthy farming practices that capture carbon and preserve the land. The initiative, organized as StoCarb (St. Olaf Carbon Offsets: Seeking Forgiveness for Our Continue reading Band Plays Environmentally-Friendly Tune with Help of Farmers |
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