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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 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 About three years ago, AFT’s work to improve the strategic impact of environmental incentives led to a report that highlighted the remarkable potential of ecosystem service markets as a way to fund both environmental improvements and farmland protection. Following up on that work, we proposed and supported the passage of legislation in Washington (SB 6805) Continue reading Pacific Northwest: The Year in Review Last year, TIME Magazine ran a cover story that called California “an apocalyptic mess … dysfunctional … broke.” Then it concluded, “It is still the dream state … the greenest and most diverse … the most globalized … an unparalleled engine of innovation.” Think of it what you will, California is unquestionably an agricultural leader, Continue reading Reinventing Agricultural Conservation in California – Focus on Farmland 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
Farmers and ranchers across the United States and throughout the world are already experiencing the repercussions of changing weather and climate. The impacts are particularly felt in the American west where declining water tables, increases in temperature, and a rise of pests and diseases moving into new areas have been linked to the Continue reading Colorado Meeting Addresses Climate Change’s Impact on Agricultural Production A recently released study makes an important point on agriculture’s effect on climate change. The perspective on the positive contribution of increases in agricultural productivity on the potential production of greenhouse gas emissions comes from an unexpected source—Stanford University. This should help broaden the discussion of how agriculture can help combat climate change and Continue reading A Complex Issue: The Impact of High-Yield Agriculture on Climate Change? |
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