California Ag Network

Category: Ag Legislation

  • US Ag Exports to Mexico Shatter Records, Including Fresh Fruits, Vegetables & Dairy

    In 2021, U.S. agricultural and related product exports to Mexico shattered all-time records, helping to close the agricultural trade gap between the two trading partners. Mexico surpassed Canada as the number two market for U.S. agricultural product exports. The highly integrated and complimentary nature of U.S.–Mexico food and agricultural supply chains ensured that record trade was observed across all product categories. A recovery from 2020 pandemic lockdowns and high global commodity prices helped values, as well as quantity, increase in 2021. This report highlights historical southbound (United States to Mexico) agricultural and related product trade records by value.

    Bilateral Agricultural Trade: U.S.–Mexico bilateral trade in agricultural and related products is more robust than ever, reaching record levels in value and quantity across products and categories. In 2021, bilateral trade totaled $66 billion, with a notable 15 percent trade deficit decline to -$13 billion. U.S. agricultural and related product exports to Mexico increased 42 percent to a record high of $27 billion.

    Top Export Market: In 2021, Mexico became the number one market for U.S. dairy products, poultry meat and products, wheat, distillers’ grains, sugar and sweeteners, milled grains and products, animal fats, rice, eggs and products, and pulses. Mexico is the number two market for U.S. corn, soybeans, soybean meal, food preparations, fresh fruit, processed vegetables, “bakery goods, cereals, and pasta”, condiments and sauces, vegetable oils, chocolate and cocoa products, fresh vegetables, planting seeds, non-alcoholic beverages, processed fruit, live animals, dog and cat food, nursery products and cut flowers, and confectionery.

    Records in Southbound Agricultural Exports: As outlined in the following sections, U.S. exports of consumer oriented (section I), bulk commodities (section II), intermediate (section III), and agricultural related products (section IV) each reached all-time value,, with many subcategories and products attaining the same.

    I. Consumer Oriented ($10.8 billion)

    Dairy Products ($1.8 billion): The United States is Mexico’s number one supplier of most of its dairy commodity imports. Mexico consistently is a reliable, high-value trading partner for the U.S. dairy industry. In 2021, U.S. dairy exports to Mexico reached an all-time high by volume, which in the case of cheese, beat out the volume record previously set in 2020. U.S. cheese exports (usually of high quality; using 100 percent milk, for example) are crucial to Mexico’s retail, processing, and HRI sectors because domestic production can only meet 66 percent of national demand. In 2020, dairy commodities started to become more expensive and retained that increased value into 2021, helping to set notable value records for U.S. skim milk powder ($962 million), cheese ($262 million), ice cream ($58 million), and others.

    Pork and Pork Products ($1.7 billion): Pork exports to Mexico reached record values and volumes across fresh, chilled, and frozen cuts, including edible offal ($158 million). Hams and cuts ($465 million) for processing reached a record high in 2020, although slightly decreasing in 2021. Pork is the second most consumed source of animal protein in Mexico. Domestic production does not satisfy national demand, and imports are required to fill in the gap. Mexico’s pork consumption increased as people resumed activities outside the home, and also from learning ways to incorporate pork in home cooking. U.S. pork products offer diverse price points across incomes and socioeconomic strata. The hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) sector, for example, draws from high quality cuts for use in premium dishes.

    Fresh and Processed Fruits and Vegetables ($1.7 billion): In 2021, U.S. exports of fresh fruit ($748 million) and fresh vegetables ($234 million) to Mexico reached record levels. Record processed vegetable trade was driven by quantity and value increases in frozen potato products ($261 million), reflective of a reopening of the HRI sector after a challenging 2020. Strong U.S. apple ($349 million) exports led growth in the fresh fruit sector. Orange and tangerine exports ($29 million), driven by high demand for products containing vitamin C during the COVID-19 pandemic. Small, but mighty, U.S. cherry ($16 million) exports to Mexico increased an impressive 235 percent from 2020.

    Processed Foods and Juices ($1.7 billion): Mexico’s food retailers and industrial food processors continue to see strong demand for retail-ready and processed products. The Mexican food processing sector continues to see exponential growth due to product affordability and high consumer demand for Mexican comfort foods. These market forces resulted in a record $770 million of U.S. food-preparation exports to Mexico’s food processors in 2021. Other notable U.S. record exports for U.S.-origin processed products included bakery goods, cereals, and pasta ($395 million), condiments and sauces ($321 million), non-alcoholic beverages ($212 million), and fruit and vegetable juices ($73 million).

    Poultry Meat and Products (excluding eggs) ($1.3 billion): Mexico depends heavily on poultry imports to satisfy domestic demand. In 2020 and 2021, the United States supplied close to 95 percent of Mexico’s poultry meat and product imports, achieving records in both quantity and value, with chicken cuts ($529 million) as a standout. In 2021, U.S. turkey ($32 million), geese ($49 thousand), and guinea fowl meat reached value records, even though those quantities were considerably smaller compared to chicken meat.

    Eggs and Products ($215 million): U.S. egg and product ($215 million) exports to Mexico reached their record due to elevated prices driven by worldwide demand. The United States is the main provider of chicken genetics and breeders to Mexico, achieving records during 2019–2021, culminating in $161 million in 2021. U.S. suppliers of shell eggs to Mexico satisfies demand along Mexican border states, while domestic production satisfies demand in the rest of the country.

    Organics ($200 million): Record growth in the category is driven by both retail and HRI demand for fresh organic fruit (apples, grapes, pears, peaches, and others), as well as lettuce and spinach. Baby food and other organic processed products also saw significant growth. Higher- income consumers in Mexico are willing to pay a premium for USDA organic products with the hopes of attaining higher health and food safety benefits – a trend the pandemic has bolstered.

    Beef and Beef Products: In 2021, very few U.S. beef product exports to Mexico reached a record high either by volume or value. However, shipments of beef for ground meat and processing ($509 million) that could include edible offal ($57.5 million), trimmings, cheek meat, and other cuts were the most notable categories that reached record highs. The reopening of the HRI sector is helping to drive demand along with increased household consumption, which prefers more affordable cuts and products, such as ground beef or variety meats.

    II. Bulk Commodities ($9.8 billion)

    Corn ($4.7 billion): In 2021, record U.S. corn exports ($4.7 billion) to Mexico were composed mostly of no. 2 corn ($4.4 billion) and white corn ($226 million). However, 2017 volumes maintain the record, reaching 16.7 million metric tons (MMT) versus 16 MMT in 2021. The value record reflects skyrocketing international corn prices, which substantially increased in 2021 to the highest levels in 12 years.

    Soybeans ($2.7 billion): Record U.S. soybean exports to Mexico were seen in 2021, due to the substantial price increase registered through the second half of 2021. Volume growth was also due to pandemic-related lockups, which encouraged Mexican households to cook more at home and consume more soybean oil.

    Wheat ($1.3 billion): Record high U.S. wheat exports ($1.3 billion) to Mexico were achieved, led by U.S. non-durum wheat ($1.2 billion) exports. Volume trade was modest, reflecting higher international wheat prices that same year. Large volumes of U.S. wheat exports were driven by increased household consumption of bread, cookies, and cakes due to the pandemic-related lockups and partial shutdowns. Mexico remains a highly price sensitive market, including for wheat imports.

    Other Bulk Commodities ($157 million): This record is driven mostly by the higher value for peanuts, which went mostly toward consumption as snacks. The reopening of the HRI sector, retail sales, and food processing made this category and oilseeds (excluding soybean) reach record levels ($23 million).

    Rice: Milled rice ($16 million) reached a record due to more competitive prices compared with South American exporters, mainly from Uruguay.

    III. Intermediate ($4.9 billion)

    Distillers Grains ($634 million): In 2021, U.S. distillers grains exports to Mexico reached a record, in value and quantity due to the stronger demand of the robust animal feed and livestock industries in Mexico. Distillers grains are a co-product of corn-based ethanol production that are used mainly as an animal feed protein supplement. Distillers grains have been increasingly used as a substitute for oilseed meal (mainly soybean meal) in feed concentrate formulas.

    Milled Grains and Products: Mexican brewers’ purchases of U.S. malt ($230 million) drove U.S. exports to a record high on pent up demand after the industry shut down during 2020 pandemic-related lockdowns. U.S. corn starch ($51 million) exports for food processing (as an ingredient for mayonnaise and beers, for example) saw price increases, which drove this product to record highs.

    Animal Fats: In 2021, U.S. lard ($117 million) and edible tallow ($139 million) exports to Mexico reached record highs as Mexico’s food processing activities and agricultural sector recovers in the post-pandemic era. Demand for lard and edible tallow, especially from pork, has increased to satisfy domestic demand in household cooking, industrial foods processing, and informal mom-and-pop cooking. Meat processing and charcuterie depend on lard and edible tallow imports to satisfy domestic demand, as consumption increases and novelty products surge in the retail sector, high quality raw materials are needed for those processes.

    Live Animals ($188 million): In 2021, U.S. live animal exports to Mexico reached value records for bovine breeding purposes. Mexico greatly benefits from high-quality genetics from the United States, investing in male and female breeders, depending on the sector. The dairy sector tends to invest more in females, obtaining stronger and more productive calves. The beef sector tends to invest more in males, improving yields and carcass weights for slaughter. Later, the U.S. feedlots indirectly benefit from steers and heifers from Mexico that are exported back as healthy, well-adapted cattle that perform very well in feedlots. In 2021, U.S. live cattle exports to Mexico for immediate slaughter set a record high, breaking the previous record set in 2020.

    Essential Oils ($183 million): For use mainly in the perfume and cosmetics industry, food industry (i.e. food conservation or for cooking), in the pharmaceutical industry, and for individual consumption (aromatherapy and other uses at home). The Mexican states with the biggest purchases of essential oils are Mexico City, State of Mexico, Morelos, Baja California and Nuevo León.

    Hides & Skins: Exports to Mexico of some pre-tanned bovine raw hides and goat skins in value, specifically, whole cattle hides and skins (in quantity and value). Bolstering the Mexican automotive industry, which is the main destination for U.S. hides and skins to Mexico, strengthening the apparel sector, and diversifying the market to other clients (furniture and garments) have proven to be a smart strategy to allocate U.S. hides and skins in Mexico. — By the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Mexico

    IV. Agricultural Related Products ($1.1 billion)

  • California Fresh Fruit Association Announces Strategic Food Safety Partnership

    The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) has announced a strategic partnership with George Nikolich Consulting, Inc. The agreement will focus on providing food safety services to Association members and their operations. George Nikolich has been a longtime partner of CFFA and has served the fresh fruit industry for over three decades. As determined by the CFFA Executive Committee in 2019, a focus in food safety has been a top priority area for the Association to take part in and this strategic partnership will provide an opportunity to engage with industry members in a way that has not been done before.

    CFFA President Ian LeMay stated “The Association is excited to partner with George and bring a service to our membership that is of great need. Our shippers and growers work tirelessly throughout the year to produce the freshest and healthiest fruits they can. Having George as a resource will allow them to continue to be proactive in bringing a safe product to markets and consumers homes.”

    George Nikolich of George Nikolich Consulting, Inc., added “I look forward to continuing my support of CFFA goals in translating the latest food safety science and information into effective, practical application for members. Thank you all for your commitment to this project.”

    As the Association’s new fiscal year kicks off, a series of roundtables and webinars have already been scheduled, and more will continue to be added as this strategic partnership continues to evolve. CFFA and George Nikolich Consulting look forward to engaging with the fresh fruit industry through this valuable joint venture.

    The California Fresh Fruit Association is voluntary public policy organization that represents growers, packers, and shippers of the California table grape, blueberry, kiwi, pomegranate, and deciduous tree fruit communities. CFFA serves as a representative for these growers, shippers, and packers, on issues at both the state and federal levels. More information on the Association can be found at www.cafreshfruit.com . 

  • Fresno County Vacancy on Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing one vacancy on the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Committee. The Committee advises the CDFA Secretary on activities associated with the statewide citrus specific pest and disease work plan that includes, but is not limited to, outreach and education programs and programs for surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating pests and diseases specific to citrus.

    The members receive no compensation but are entitled to payment of the necessary travel expenses in accordance with the rules of the Department of Personnel Administration.

    The Committee member vacancy exists for one grower representative from Fresno County, the member term expires on September 30, 2022. Applicants should have an interest in agriculture and citrus pest and disease prevention.

    Individuals interested in being considered for a committee appointment should send a brief resume by March 31, 2022 to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, California 95814, Attention: David Gutierrez.

    For additional information, contact: David Gutierrez, Branch Chief, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division at (916) 274-6300, or e-mail David.Gutierrez@cdfa.ca.gov.

  • CA Valencia Orange Production Forecast At 17.2 Million Cartons

    The March 2021-22 Valencia orange forecast is 17.2 million cartons, down from last year’s utilized production of 19 million. This forecast was based on the results of the 2021-22 Valencia Orange Objective Measurement (O.M.) Survey, which was conducted from January 11 to February 28, 2022. Estimated fruit set per tree, fruit diameter, trees per acre, bearing acreage, and oranges per carton were used in the statistical models estimating production. The season had experienced scattered precipitation in some areas but mainly warm and dry conditions in January and February. Survey data indicated an average fruit set per tree of 541, a 0.7% decrease from the previous year and slightly above the five-year average. The average March 1 diameter was 2.459 inches, down 3.6% from the previous year and slightly below the five-year average of 2.539.

    SURVEY HISTORY

    A Valencia Orange Objective Measurement Survey was conducted from the 1985-86 to 1993-94 seasons before suspension due to a lack of funding. The survey has been conducted since it was reinstated for the 1999-00 season, with the exception of the 2006-07 season due to a substantial freeze. The data from the first three years after the survey was reinstated were used for research purposes in developing crop- estimating models.

    SURVEY SAMPLE

    A sample of 381 Valencia orange groves were randomly selected proportional to acreage, county, and variety representation in the state, with 349 of these groves being utilized in this survey. Once a grove was randomly chosen and grower permission was granted, two trees were randomly selected for each grove. For each randomly selected tree, its trunk was measured along with all connected branches. A random number table was then used to select a branch, and then all connected branches from the randomly-selected branch were measured.

    This process was repeated until a branch was reached with no significant limbs beyond it. This randomly-selected branch, called the terminal branch, was then closely inspected to count all fruit connected to it, as well as all of the fruit along the path from the trunk to the terminal branch. Since each selected path has a probability of selection associated with it, a probability- based method was then applied to estimate a fruit count for the entire tree.

    In the last week of the survey period, fruit diameter measurements were collected on the right quadrant of four trees surrounding the two trees of every third sampled grove. These measurements were used to estimate an average fruit diameter per tree. The sampled groves were primarily in the top Valencia orange producing counties of Tulare, Kern, Fresno, Ventura, and San Diego.

  • NRCS Conservation Funding for Farmers

    The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for funding this year is April 1, 2022.

    “CSP helps agricultural producers in California take their conservation activities on their farm or ranch to the next level of conservation stewardship,” said NRCS California State Conservationist Carlos Suarez.

    While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should act quickly to submit their application to their local NRCS office. Applications must be received no later than April 1, 2022 to be considered for 2022 funding.

    Through CSP, producers earn payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities integrated within their agricultural operations. CSP enhancements like cover crops, grazing management, ecologically based pest management and buffer strips help producers improve soil health while protecting water quality. Other CSP activities help sustain and increase pollinator and beneficial insect habitat in harmony with agriculture production on their land.

    CSP also encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as advanced irrigation water management techniques and precision nutrient application. CSP helps increase plant community diversity on range and forestland and improves water quality on all agricultural land uses.

    CSP is an ideal program for producers who seek to extend conservation benefits they achieved using conservation management practices along with structural and vegetative practices to address resource concerns on their operations. Applicants will need to demonstrate a record of past management efforts, including past participation in NRCS management practices, to have a competitive application for CSP participation.

    Producers interested in CSP are recommended to contact their local USDA service center or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted.

  • “Ag-vocates” to Share Lessons Learned at 2022 Animal Ag Alliance Summit

    Ballot initiatives. Undercover videos. “Pink slime.” Animal agriculture has gone through the ringer when it comes to activist actions and misinformed marketing schemes, subsequently adding a new role for farmers and ranchers who feel compelled to speak up for the community they love. At the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2022 Stakeholders Summit, three rockstar “ag-vocates” will break down how engagement has evolved, share their success stories and discuss what response methods and tactics we should perhaps leave behind as we continue to stand up for our livelihood. Early bird registration rates have been extended through March 16 at bit.ly/AAA22Summit.

    “Just as social media and other communication vessels evolve, so do the best practices for those wanting to connect and engage via those channels,” said Emily Solis, Alliance communications specialist. “Brandi Buzzard, Debbie Lyons-Blythe and Carrie Mess are long-time advocates for agriculture who have tweaked and adapted their methods of communication to earn attention and resonate with the general public – and now, they’re ready to share what they’ve learned with others at the 2022 Summit.”

    Brandi Buzzard has been a passionate agriculture advocate for more than a decade, helping others to share their story. She has spoken on MSNBC, FOX, and CBS addressing issues like conservation, beef sustainability and nutrition. She has also visited the White House and spoken to senior White House officials about agriculture and sustainability. She is currently the director of communications for the Red Angus Association of America and editor of the Red Angus Magazine. Buzzard farms in southeast Kansas with her husband and two daughters.

    Debbie Lyons-Blythe is a cattle rancher in the Flint Hills of Kansas. She and her husband run a registered Angus cowherd as well as a crossbred herd and raise 300 heifers that they sell as bred heifers across the nation. Blythe Family Farms is a founding member of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, and Debbie is the chairman-elect for the organization.

    Carrie Mess is a dairy farmer in Wisconsin, working alongside her husband and his parents. In 2011, she started her “Dairy Carrie” blog to share more about her life on the farm and address common misconceptions about food and agriculture. She now splits her time between being a mom, working on the farm, and sharing what she’s learned about food, agriculture and engaging with consumers.

    The Alliance’s annual Summit brings together thought leaders in the agriculture and food communities to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers and protect the future of animal agriculture. The 2022 event, themed “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here,” is scheduled for May 11-12 in Kansas City, Missouri. Preconference webinars will be held in the weeks leading up to the main event. In-person and virtual attendance options are both available.

    Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA22 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit, please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.

    The Alliance thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Zoetis, Merck Animal Health, C.O.nxt, Diamond V, Genus PLC – PIC/ABS, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America, LLC, Iowa Soybean Association, Kanas Soybean Commission, Midwest Dairy, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Provimi North America, Inc. and Seaboard Foods.

    About the Alliance:

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

    Find the Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • What Your Food Eats Matters, New Research Reveals

    What your food eats is directly linked to the nutritional value of the food you eat. That’s the conclusion of a preliminary comparison study between regenerative and conventional farming practices, recently published in the science journal PeerJ.

    Researchers used several independent comparisons for the study, all of which indicate regenerative farming practices enhance the nutritional profiles of crops and livestock. It featured measurements from paired farms across the United States to determine differences in soil health and crop nutrient density between fields worked with conventional (synthetically fertilized and herbicide-treated) or regenerative practices for 5 -10 years.

    “Specifically, regenerative farms that combined no-till, cover crops, and diverse rotations—a regenerative system known as conservation agriculture—produced crops with higher soil organic matter levels, soil health scores, and levels of certain vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals,” said David Montgomery, Ph.D., one of the study’s principal authors. “In addition, crops from two regenerative no-till vegetable farms, one in California and the other in Connecticut, had higher levels of phytochemicals than values reported previously from New York supermarkets.”

    A comparison of wheat from adjacent cover-cropped and conventional no-till fields in northern Oregon also found a higher density of mineral micronutrients in the regenerative crop.

    “We’ve known for years that regeneratively grown products are superior in taste and we’ve also suspected there is a direct correlation between food grown in healthy soil and improved nutrient density,” said Allen Williams, Ph.D., a partner with the regenerative consulting firm, Understanding Ag, LLC, (UA). Williams and his colleagues at UA provided recommendations and guidance to several of the regenerative farms in the study.

    “This study is a first and important step in validating and quantifying that linkage—and provides yet another regenerative farming benefit,” Williams said.

    The study also compared nutrients in meat from animals that consume plants grown in healthy soil to those of conventionally produced meats. Researchers found higher levels of omega-3 fats and a more health-beneficial ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in regeneratively grown meat.

    “Despite small sample sizes, all three crop comparisons show differences in micronutrient and phytochemical concentrations that suggest soil health is an underappreciated influence on nutrient density, particularly for phytochemicals not conventionally considered nutrients but nonetheless relevant to chronic disease prevention,” Montgomery said.

    Researchers also discovered regenerative grazing practices produced meat with a better fatty acid profile than conventional and regional health-promoting brands.

    “Together, these comparisons offer preliminary support for the conclusion that regenerative soil-building farming practices can enhance the nutritional profile of conventionally grown plant and animal foods,” Montgomery said.

    Data from the study is part of the research for an upcoming book, What Your Food Ate: How to Heal Our Land and Reclaim Our Health, authored by Montgomery and Anne Biklé. Published by W.W. Norton.

  • BeSure! Stewardship Campaign to Help Care for Pollinators and Other Wildlife

    The agriculture industry collaboration led by Growing Matters launched its fourth annual BeSure! stewardship awareness campaign to promote best management practices when using neonicotinoid products on farms and urban landscapes.

    The BeSure! campaign uses a wide range of media channels including print, radio, digital and social media to remind farmers, crop protection applicators, urban landscape applicators, agricultural supply retailers and others to ensure label directions and responsible stewardship measures are followed for neonicotinoid products, minimizing any potential impact on pollinators and other wildlife.

    Over the last three years, the BeSure! campaign is estimated to have reached millions of people providing them with access to a wide range of informational resources to help them use seed treatments responsibly and avoid exposure to pollinators and wildlife.

    “As we enter the fourth year of the BeSure! campaign, we know we have been able to reach a wide range of key stakeholders – from farmers to landscapers – to encourage them to follow easy to understand actions when using neonicotinoid products, such as applying them at times that pollinators are not active,” said Tom Smith, executive director, National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC), one of the Growing Matters coalition partners.

    In addition to NPSEC, the campaign has been endorsed by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), National Corn Growers Association, CropLife America, the Agricultural Retailers Association and the American Soybean Association, among others.

    “Farmers rely on many options to produce a safe, reliable crop – and neonicotinoid seed treatments are one of those options that help us grow a better soybean,” said American Soybean Association president and Arkansas soybean farmer Brad Doyle. “ASA is proud to support the BeSure! campaign each year, because we want all farmers to have awareness of proper usage guidelines and be a part of our industry conscience in managing pests while protecting pollinators and other wildlife we truly value.”

    In addition to focusing on crops like corn and soybean, the BeSure! campaign also includes fruits, nuts, vegetables, turf, trees and ornamental plants that are protected with neonicotinoid products.  This year, the campaign is continuing its reach across the U.S. expanding to Texas and Arizona.

    Neonicotinoids are especially valuable to the citrus industry in Florida and California. The deadly citrus disease Huanglongbing impacts both the quality and quantity of the nectar within the orange blossom. Neonics are believed to help stem the disease and, as a result, help honeybees produce more, higher quality orange blossom honey.

    “Citrus growers rely on neonicotinoid products to manage invasive pests such as the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), which is the sole vector of the destructive citrus greening disease” said Mike Aerts, vice president of Science and Regulatory Affairs, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. “The BeSure! campaign reminds our growers that we have to be as diligent into protecting pollinators and other wildlife as we are in protecting our crops from serious disease.”

    Farmers, applicators and others can go to the website GrowingMatters.org/BeSure for up-to-date stewardship tips and information. The BeSure! site also includes ASTA’s Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship, which includes videos and brochures to show how treated seeds can be used in a way that avoids exposure to pollinators and other wildlife. The site contains a host of links to explain how neonicotinoids applications can be used responsibly, including the comprehensive Insect Pollinators and Pesticide Product Stewardship Guide. Two downloadable fact sheets with five quick tips to guide best management practices during planting season — one for growers and one for applicators – are also available.

    Over the coming weeks, the campaign will share relevant updates and best management tips via social media content (search using hashtag #BeSure), radio programming, outreach via industry trade groups, and a variety of digital content. For more information, please visit: GrowingMatters.org/BeSure.

    About Growing Matters
    Agriculture and horticulture are key to nourishing families and communities.  Feeding a growing population, enhancing the beauty of our surroundings and a sustained commitment to environmental protection are fundamental needs that matter.  Crop protection products, both natural and synthetic, are important tools that protect plants from tough and invasive pests that can devastate crops and urban landscapes.  Growing Matters is funded by a consortium of companies committed to open and healthy scientific discourse on stewardship, benefits and alternatives to neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. Consortium members include Bayer, Syngenta, Valent U.S.A., BASF, and Mitsui Chemicals Agro, Inc.  The BeSure! campaign is also supported by Gowan Company and PBI Gordon Corporation.

    Go to www.GrowingMatters.org for the information, reports, videos and infographics on the benefits of neonicotinoid insecticides.

    About American Seed Trade Association (ASTA)
    Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) represents over 700 companies involved in seed production, plant breeding and related industries in North America. ASTA is the leading voice of action in all matters concerning the development, marketing and movement of seed, associated products and services throughout the world. The association’s broad membership offers varieties from alfalfa to zucchini and all production types including conventional, organic and biotech. ASTA promotes the development of better seed to produce better crops for a better quality of life. Go to www.betterseed.org.

    About National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC)
    The National Pesticide Safety Education Center serves and supports extension Pesticide Safety Education Programs in all states and US territories. NPSEC works to strengthen this national system by improving the quality, consistency, and accessibility of educational offerings, promoting collaboration and leveraging of educational resources and learning assessment tools. For more information, go to www.npsec.us.

    About American Soybean Association (ASA)
    The American Soybean Association represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues important to the soybean industry. ASA has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean- producing states and more than 500,000 soybean farmers. Find more information at soygrowers.com.

  • Donation of $500,000 from Blue Shield of California for School Meals to Food-Insecure Students

    GENYOUth, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating healthier school communities, announced the donation of $500,000 from Blue Shield of California to help GENYOUth’s End Student Hunger Fund and support the delivery and distribution of nutritious school meals to many high-need California schools and their students during  National Nutrition Month in March.

    The funding is part of Blue Shield of California’s commitment to exploring and investing in innovative approaches to health equity that are reflective and responsive to the needs of the community.  Working in collaboration with GENYOUth, Blue Shield is providing the grants to address a critical need as 1 in 6 U.S. children live in food-insecure households and 30 million children rely on school meals for their daily nourishment, according to the USDA. The grants will help students access school meals to get the nutrition they need. In addition, research has shown that students who eat breakfast have improved attendance and academic performance.

    As part of the contribution, Blue Shield of California will support schools in underserved and under-resourced zip codes across California with grants to 70 schools across 13 counties throughout the state to help approximately 65,000 students have greater access to nutritious meals to help them thrive throughout the year.

    “At Blue Shield of California we are committed to addressing health inequities and disparities by helping to overcome cultural, linguistic, and physical barriers through a wide range of services that provide support for under resourced populations,” said Kristen Cerf, president and CEO, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. “We appreciate the opportunity to support GENYOUth’s End Student Hunger Fund, which raises awareness and support to help solve food insecurity for children – a key determinant of health.”

    “Among the California schools receiving grants, 73 percent of students participate in the school meal program and rely on these meals as a significant portion of their daily nourishment, and for many children, school meals are their only source of daily nutrition,” said Alexis Glick, CEO of GENYOUth. “All students deserve to have access to the nutrition and meals needed to start their day. We are grateful to Blue Shield of California, who know that the basis of good health – mental and physical – begins in childhood; for their commitment to make the eradication of food insecurity a priority, and for ensuring more students will have access to nourishing meals with essential nutrients to fuel their minds and bodies throughout their academic day.”

    Blue Shield of California’s and GENYOUth’s donation is part of a larger legacy of investing in and building upon efforts to support California school communities. At last month’s Taste of the NFL, the pre-eminent purpose-driven event during Super Bowl weekend, the support of sponsors like  Blue Shield of California was critical as all event proceeds will benefit GENYOUth’s End Student Hunger Fund.  In addition to Blue Shield of California’s funding of 70 school grants in their home state, additional school grants will be funded to schools throughout the nation. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, GENYOUth’s End Student Hunger Fund through the support of partners like Blue Shield of California has raised over $13 million in cash and in-kind resources which has supported over 10,000 schools.

    About GENYOUth

    GENYOUth is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that creates healthier school communities. We convene a network of private and public partners, including Fortune 100 companies and foundations, to raise funds for youth wellness initiatives that give youth the inspiration, motivation, and programs to be healthy high-achieving students. GENYOUth’s flagship program, Fuel Up to Play 60, enrolls over 73,000 U.S. schools, reaching over 38 million students. Our school nutrition grants increase access to healthy school meals among food insecure students. NFL FLAG-In-School is GENYOUth’s fastest growing program with over 25,000 school communities reaching over 15 million students. AdVenture Capital brings out the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of students with the support of corporate mentors to solve real world problems. And starting in 2021, GENYOUth is the official charitable partner of Taste of the NFL, a purpose-driven Super Bowl culinary experience which raises awareness and generates funds to fight hunger and food insecurity.  For more information on GENYOUth, visit www.genyouthnow.org.

    About Blue Shield of California

    Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable.  Blue Shield of California is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with over 4.5 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $21 billion in annual revenue.  Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $150 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last four years to have an impact on California communities.

  • Agronomic Case Studies on Economic Impacts of Organic Transition

    Rodale Institute, the global leader in regenerative organic agriculture, announced today its intention to create a portfolio of five comprehensive economic farm case studies, in partnership with Kitchen Table Consultants (KTC) and with support from The GIANT Company.

    Focused on five common agricultural systems, these case studies will document the agronomic and financial impacts of transitioning from conventional to certified organic management. The goal of these studies is to illustrate the opportunities for increased soil health, human health, and profitability that accompany a switch to certified organic operation. These studies will provide qualitative proof of organic transition’s benefits, while identifying and closing gaps to profitability in certain systems.

    “Farmers deserve to know what the agronomic and financial impacts are when transitioning to organic,” said Sam Malriat, Director of Rodale Institute’s Organic Consulting Service. “With these case studies, we will identify those impacts and present them to the farming community on a rolling basis. If for any reason a transition to organic is financially or practically infeasible, we want to understand how we can overcome those obstacles to ensure profitability for organic farmers.”

    Through its Organic Consulting Service established in 2019, Rodale Institute has witnessed the proliferation of misinformation that exists in the conversation around transitioning farms to organic. By providing these real-world examples of the costs and benefits of transition, more farmers will be encouraged to consider it themselves.

    Rodale Institute will work alongside Kitchen Table Consultants, a consulting firm focused on local food systems and small businesses. Based in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, KTC helps passionate farmers and food artisans build lasting, profitable, and locally focused businesses.

    “Kitchen Table Consultants has provided Financial and Management Consulting services to over 500 food and farm businesses across the country since 2009. During that time, we’ve witnessed the environmental and economic opportunity organic agriculture provides for the long-term viability of our communities,” said Ted LeBow, Managing Partner & Co-Founder of Kitchen Table Consultants. “We know that profit is a very important part of the decision-making process for farmers and these case studies will provide a great resource for them to make more informed decisions about their future viability.”

    The final case studies will include examples from farms across a wide range of categories. Proposed operations to analyze include:

    • Conventional commodity grain
    • Conventional dairy
    • Wholesale vegetable
    • Conventional to grass-fed livestock
    • Orchard/fruit

    Support for this initiative comes from The GIANT Company. In 2021, The GIANT Company’s Healing Our Planet campaign raised nearly $1.2 million for Rodale Institute’s farmer training and consulting programs.

    “As customer demand for organic produce continues to increase, it’s important that we as a grocer have ample certified organic farms to source from, making The GIANT Company’s support of this research a natural fit,” said Jessica Groves, manager of community impact, The GIANT Company. “We hope that these real-life case studies can help eliminate any hesitation farmers have about transitioning from conventional methods and encourage them to pursue a more sustainable and profitable future for their farms.”

    By helping farmers make choices that are profitable and sustainable for their unique operation, Rodale Institute works to increase organic acres throughout Pennsylvania and beyond. Since its launch in 2019, Rodale Institute Organic Consulting Service has helped to transition over 31,000 acres of farmland nationwide.

    Results from the economic case studies will start being presented in fall 2022. To receive updates on this project, as well as Rodale Institute’s work on regenerative organic research, farmer training, and consumer education, sign up for e-newsletters at RodaleInstitute.org/Newsletter.

    About Rodale Institute: Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the organic movement through rigorous research, farmer training, and consumer education. Widely considered the global leader in regenerative organic agriculture, Rodale Institute has been researching the best practices of organic agriculture and sharing findings with farmers, scientists, and consumers throughout the world since 1947. Learn more at RodaleInstitute.org.

    About Kitchen Table Consultants: Our goal is simple – to help passionate farmers and food artisans build lasting, profitable, locally-focused businesses. We accomplish this by working alongside our clients. No stuffy business plans that get thrown on the shelf, never to be looked at again. We have real-world experience and bring that to our work every day. We have walked a mile in your shoes and understand first-hand the challenges facing small businesses. We are results oriented, and our work is about actionable steps to make your business stronger and more profitable.

    About The GIANT Company:

    The GIANT Company​ believes that no matter where or how, when meals happen, families connect, and when families connect meaningfully, good happens. Guided by its brand platform, For Today’s Table®, the omni-channel retailer proudly serves millions of neighbors across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and New Jersey. A Great Place to Work™ certified company with more than 35,000 talented team members supporting 190 stores, 132 pharmacies, 107 fuel stations, and over 175 online pickup hubs and grocery delivery service in hundreds of zip codes, The GIANT Company is changing the customer experience and connecting families for a better future. Founded in 1923 in Carlisle, Pa., The GIANT Company family of brands includes GIANT, MARTIN’S, GIANT Heirloom Market, GIANT Direct and MARTIN’S Direct. The GIANT Company is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA. For more information, visit the GIANT or MARTIN’S websites.