California Ag Network

Category: Ag Legislation

  • White House Economic Council Not Very Economic

    The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today dismissed another desperate attempt by the White House Economic Council to shift blame for record food inflation to the meat and poultry industry.

    “The White House Economic Council is again demonstrating its ignorance of agricultural economics and the fundamentals of supply and demand,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “This argument is simply a rinse and repeat of their September attempts to blame meat and poultry companies for inflation that is not limited to food, but is being felt across the economy.

    “Beef, pork and poultry all have their own supply and demand market fundamentals. The calculations used by the Economic Counsel awkwardly and misleadingly combine these sectors and the Council’s analysis conveniently excludes data on rising input costs, rising fuel costs, supply chain difficulties and labor shortages that impact the price of meat on the retail shelf. Plus, recent economic data indicates packer (wholesale) margins have fallen by 30-60 percent depending on the species as the industry works through the historic supply chain disruptions of the last 18 months.

    “This cherry picking of data is obvious to all. It is no coincidence this blog post appears on the same day as the Consumer Price Index is released showing gas and energy prices are up nearly 60 percent over the past 12 months which is nearly 10 times the rate of inflation for food.

    “The Economic Council continues to insist market structure is the reason for higher consumer prices of meat and poultry. In beef production for example, the same four firm concentration ratio has been operating in the market for nearly 30 years. Why the sudden inflation?

    “The answer is consumer demand for meat and poultry products has never been higher. Members of the Meat Institute are producing more meat than ever before under extraordinary circumstances to keep our farm economy moving and to put food on American’s tables.”

    About North American Meat Institute

    The North American Meat Institute is a leading voice for the meat and poultry industry. The Meat Institute’s members process the vast majority of U.S. beef, pork, lamb, and poultry, as well as manufactures the equipment and ingredients needed to produce safe, high quality meat and poultry products.

  • Federal-State Work Group Launches On-Farm Compost Research Site for Farmers & Ranchers

    The Federal-State On-Farm Compost Work Group is pleased to announce the launch of an On-Farm Compost Resource Website. The resources on this website include information and tools to help farmers and ranchers compost agricultural byproducts, including manure, and maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

    The website is hosted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and was developed as part of a larger collaborative working group that was co-led by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), US Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), and California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) as well as eleven additional state and regional regulatory bodies. The working group was formed in 2019 to help reduce barriers and clarify regulatory requirements for producers wishing to co-compost off-site agricultural waste.

    “California farmers and ranchers have long understood the benefits of this proven practice, just like those who embrace composting at home” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This multi-agency effort will help meet farmer demand for more on-farm composting to ensure safe, nutrient rich soil, and this new on-line resource provides a single location to show our producers how to put it all together in compliance with California environmental regulations.”

    “California will dramatically cut a major source of climate warming gas when we launch food and yard waste composting statewide in 2022,” said California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Jared Blumenfeld. “Using this compost on our agricultural and rangelands will add to that greenhouse gas reduction and help drought-ravaged soil retain water.”

    “The tools created by the On-Farm Compost Work Group will help promote the composting of agricultural materials in California,” added EPA Pacific Southwest Acting Regional Administrator Deborah Jordan. “Composting is an alternate pathway for agricultural materials, which will reduce ag burning in California, thus protecting air and water quality.”

    “Application of compost is a common soil health practice, that can help farmers in our arid climate maintain and build soil carbon,” said NRCS California State Conservationist Carlos Suarez. “Compost application improves plant health and crop yields, increases water retention and infiltration, and sequesters carbon. This effort helps create valuable soil amendments from diverse on-farm resources. It’s a win-win for California agriculture”

  • 61 Million Acres Voluntarily Conserved in America, Land Trust Census Reveals

    The Land Trust Alliance released a new report today finding that 61 million acres were conserved by land trusts as of year-end 2020 — an increase of more than 15 million acres since 2010. This gain comes as the nation embraces a proposal from the scientific community to conserve 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030, a goal commonly shorthanded as 30×30.

    As the longest running and most comprehensive survey of private land protected by nonprofit organizations, the 2020 National Land Trust Census Report is both a benchmark and a snapshot of the land trust community and its collective impact across the country. This year’s data is particularly compelling as it reflects the unique role land trusts played providing solace for many Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 16.7 million people visited land trust properties in 2020, representing a substantial increase from 6.25 million in 2015.

    “The dramatic increase in land conserved by land trusts paired with the public’s increased interest show the land trust community is gaining ground,” said Andrew Bowman, president and CEO of the Land Trust Alliance. “Together, land trusts and their many supporters are well equipped to do their part in achieving the 30×30 goal by conserving another 60 million acres by 2030.”

    While the acres protected show the breadth of land conservation efforts, it is important to emphasize that land trusts are improving life across the country. Protecting lands close to home improves our quality of life and the health of our local communities, while also addressing some of the greatest challenges facing our nation.  Other key findings from the newest Census include:

    • 78% of land trusts are engaging groups historically underrepresented in conservation, including people of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, older adults, veterans or active-duty military and people living with disabilities
    • 74% of land trusts have increased their focus on climate change in the past five years; and
    • land trusts maintain 9,761 miles of trails — over three times the width of the United States — including 997 trail miles designed for universal access.

    As the Census data shows, land trusts are increasingly addressing the effects of climate change and extreme weather. Natural and working lands can sequester large amounts of carbon, potentially contributing up to one-third of the total emission reductions necessary to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Moreover, well managed conserved lands can act as a buffer against increased fire risks, more intense storms and flooding and drought. In addition, conserved land preserves access to healthy and sustainable food.

    “Making progress on today’s daunting environmental problems — including the decline of wildlife and increasingly extreme weather — will require all hands on deck, including individuals, land trusts and other NGOs, government, the private sector, academic institutions and indigenous communities,” said Jim Levitt, director of the International Land Conservation Network at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. “Supporting private land conservation, including the work of local land trusts, is a meaningful way for individuals to make a positive impact in their local community while playing a key role in national conservation efforts.”

    That’s why the Alliance has enhanced Find a Land Trust, a powerful online, geolocation-based search tool. Starting Dec. 8, this tool will make it easy for anyone across the country to locate the land trusts nearest them. Each search will be filterable by variables such as access to hiking trails and volunteer opportunities. Land trusts listed within the tool offer a variety of ways people can get involved and support conservation in their neighborhood, including connecting on social media and donating.

    The Census is commissioned by the Alliance, which represents nonprofit land trusts in the United States that conserve or steward land by acquiring land or conservation easements. As a formal quantifier of land conservation, the Census was first conducted in 1981 and is updated every five years. The Alliance collected data from January to April 2021 for the 2020 Census, beginning with a survey emailed to approximately 1,300 land conservation organizations active across the United States. All respondents were asked to report on their land conservation and organizational activities as of Dec. 31, 2020. More than 550 organizations responded to the 2020 survey. The National Land Trust Census was developed in cooperation with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

    About the Land Trust Alliance

    Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents approximately 950 member land trusts supported by more than 250,000 volunteers and 6.3 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available at www.landtrustalliance.org.

  • FDA Releases Plan, Independent Review to Improve Foodborne Outbreak Response

    Foodborne disease remains a significant public health problem in the United States. Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released the Foodborne Outbreak Response Improvement Plan to enhance the speed, effectiveness, coordination, and communication of investigations into outbreaks of foodborne illness. The goal is to improve our ability to identify the sources and causes of foodborne illness outbreaks. These improvements will help to reduce the number of foodborne outbreaks that go unsolved and ultimately bend the curve of foodborne illness in this country.

    This Foodborne Outbreak Response Improvement Plan is intended to work in concert with FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint, which outlines specific approaches the FDA will take over the next decade to address food safety in the rapidly changing food system. It focuses on tech-enabled traceability, root cause analysis, outbreak data, and operational improvements.

    Observations by and recommendations from FDA leadership and staff across the foods program played a key role in the development of the outbreak improvement plan. The plan was also informed by an independent review of the FDA’s structural and functional capacity to support, participate in, or lead multistate foodborne illness outbreak investigation activities.

    The plan, which is focused on outbreaks associated with human food, is divided into four priority areas:

    • Tech-enabled product traceback, focusing on ways to routinely digitize the process of tracing foods to their source.
    • Root cause investigations, working to systemize, expedite and share the results of FDA investigations into the cause of a food contamination.
    • Analysis and dissemination of outbreak data to increase the transparency of outbreak investigations.
    • Operational improvements to streamline processes and create performance measures.

    In early 2022, a webinar will be held to walk stakeholders through the plan and to respond to questions.

    For More Information

  • Blue Diamond Growers Host Annual Meeting, Announce Chairman’s Ambassador Award Recipient

    With a theme of “Rising to the Challenge,” the 111th Blue Diamond Growers Annual Meeting highlighted the remarkable people that help power California’s largest almond cooperative.

    In a virtual presentation to Blue Diamond almond growers on November 17, Mark Jansen, President and CEO, Blue Diamond Growers, and Dan Cummings, Blue Diamond Growers Board Chairman and Director, District 1, provided business updates and acknowledged key milestones for the cooperative. Three board members either new to the board or recently re-elected to continue service were also announced, including:

    • Dan Cummings, Director, District 1, Chico, CA
    • George A. te Velde, Director, District 4, Escalon, CA
    • Nick Blom, Director, District 6, Modesto, CA


    Following the meeting, Cummings was selected to continue his role as Board Chair and board member Steve Van Duyn, District 5, Modesto, CA, was named Vice Chair for the board. Additionally, in August, Kristen Daley of San Francisco, CA, was named as a new Director-At-Large, completing the 11-person board. “The exceptional leadership and dedication of our board is invaluable in guiding Blue Diamond Growers toward a continued successful future,” said Jansen. “I’m grateful for each of them and the wisdom and perspectives they bring to the co-op, along with their willingness to invest their time and talents to help address challenges and embrace opportunities.”

    Retiring board members Charles Crivelli III, District 6, Turlock, CA, and Kevin Fondse, District 4, Ripon/Escalon, CA were also recognized as part the annual meeting program.

    During his presentation, Cummings announced Christine Gemperle District 6, as the 2021 Chairman’s Grower Ambassador of the Year. A self-described “science nerd,” Gemperle, and her brother farm 135 acres of almonds in Ceres, CA. She is dedicated to sustainable almond production and focuses extensively on water savings, orchard weed control, integrated pest management, soil health and more.

    “Christine is a remarkable ambassador for Blue Diamond Growers and the California almond industry as a whole,” said Cummings. “Each day, she practices what she preaches in terms of hands-on, ‘real-world’ sustainability, and she also helps to educate countless consumers about what the almond industry is doing to produce a wholesome, sustainable crop for all to enjoy – generation after generation.”

    Further illustrating Blue Diamond Growers’ unwavering commitment to sustainability, Cummings announced that in 2021 alone, one-third of Blue Diamond almond growers achieved the gold level of the California Almond Sustainability Program (CASP) rigorous assessment initiative, while another two-thirds accomplished either the silver or bronze CASP achievement level.

    In his meeting remarks, Jansen acknowledged numerous challenges facing California agriculture and Blue Diamond almond growers, including the drought, supply chain disruptions, ongoing pandemic impacts, rising input costs, labor shortages, inflation and more.

    “Even with the remarkable headwinds that we face, we are capable of extraordinary success and rising to the challenges,” said Jansen. “We are resilient and were able to exceed targeted grower returns in 2021 – thanks to the perseverance of the growers themselves and the strength of the Blue Diamond Growers team. I truly believe the best is yet to come.”

    About Blue Diamond

    Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned cooperative representing over 3,000 of California’s almond growers, is the world’s leading almond marketer and processor. Established in 1910, it created the California almond industry and opened world markets for almonds. Blue Diamond is dedicated to delivering the benefits of almonds around the world and does so by providing high-quality almonds, almond ingredients, and branded products. Headquartered in Sacramento, the company employs more than 1,800 people throughout its processing plants, receiving stations and gift shops. To learn more about Blue Diamond Growers, visit www.bluediamond.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

  • Agricultural Retailers Association Concludes Annual Conference and Expo

    Today the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) concluded its annual Conference & Expo with two panels of industry experts and an off-site local ag tour.

    Thursday morning held a presentation of the Chairman’s Report by 2020-2021 ARA Board Chair Rod Wells with GROWMARK Inc., before recognizing the outgoing members of ARA’s board of directors. The ag retailer panel: COVID-19 Practices – Temporary and Permanent Changes featured Matt Carstens, president and CEO of Landus Cooperative; Clay Houchin, CEO of Buttonwillow Warehouse Company; and The Scoop’s Editor Margy Eckelkamp as the moderator.

    “This panel represented ag retailers from all across the nation as they discussed what they think is next when it comes to personnel management, customer engagement, logistics and the use of technology,” said Wells.

    Moderated by ARA Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Counsel Richard Gupton, the final panel of the conference focused on public policy by offering insight into what the industry has seen in the first year of the Biden administration and discussed what the industry can expect in the next three years. Jeremy Stump with Nutrien, Sean McCarty with Helena Agri-Enterprises, and Hunter Carpenter with ARA provided the ag retail perspective on legislative and regulatory issues that impact business operations.

    “Hearing from our member panelists regarding the opportunities and challenges being created by Biden administration policies is essential as ARA members look forward to setting the association’s 2022 policy priorities,” said Gupton.

    The Post-Conference Local Ag tour explored the final stages in the food supply chain as attendees toured a food distribution company with facilities that have been recognized as one of the best in the U.S. for safety and emission reductions.

    “The ARA members and industry partners present this week can proudly return to their companies equipped with new knowledge and stronger industry connections,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “It was refreshing to see the ag retail industry come together this week to share ideas, celebrate our industry’s best, and find new ways to add value to America’s farmers.”

    Learn more about the ARA Conference & Expo on the website or on ARA’s social media. The 2022 ARA Conference and Expo will be held Nov. 29 through Dec. 1, in San Diego, Calif.

    About Agricultural Retailers Association
    The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is a nonprofit trade association representing the interests of retailers across the United States on legislative and regulatory issues on Capitol Hill. As the political voice of agricultural retailers, ARA not only represents its membership but also educates members on the political process and important issues affecting the industry. For more information on current legislative and regulatory issues impacting agricultural retailers, visit www.aradc.org.

  • Agricultural Retailers Association Installs Ian McGregor as Chairman

    Today the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) installed Ian McGregor of The McGregor Company as chairman of the association during the closing session of the 2021 ARA Conference & Expo. McGregor succeeds Rod Wells with GROWMARK Inc., in the role and will serve a two-year term.

    “It has been an honor serving as chairman of our board of directors for two years,” said Wells. “As the first ARA Chair to serve two years, I am proud of the work we have accomplished, and I look forward to seeing where our new chairman will take us.”

    In his remarks, McGregor shared his plans for his term as chairman.

    “As I step into the role of chairman I’m honored, humbled and reminded of those incredible people who have served in this role before. People like Rod Wells, Troy Johnson, John Oster, Harold Cooper, Tim McArdle, Gary Farrell and so many others.

    “ARA’s mission is a critical one for our industry as the only voice on Capitol Hill dedicated solely to advocating for retailers. I look forward to engaging with the great ARA staff and members of the association to do my part to contribute to the important work and mission of the ARA.”

    Learn more about the ARA Conference & Expo on the website or on ARA’s social media.

    About Agricultural Retailers Association
    The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is a nonprofit trade association representing the interests of retailers across the United States on legislative and regulatory issues on Capitol Hill. As the political voice of agricultural retailers, ARA not only represents its membership but also educates members on the political process and important issues affecting the industry. For more information on current legislative and regulatory issues impacting agricultural retailers, visit www.aradc.org.

  • USDA to Measure Financial Well-Being of California Farmers and Ranchers

    Beginning in late December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will spend several months gathering information about farm economics and production practices from farmers and ranchers across California, as the agency conducts the third and final phase of the 2021 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS).

    “ARMS is the only survey that measures the current financial well-being of California producers and their households as a whole,” said Gary R. Keough, director of the NASS Pacific Regional Office. “The results of this survey will help inform decisions on local and federal policies and programs that affect California farms and farm families.”

    In an effort to obtain the most accurate data, NASS will reach out to more than 30,000 producers nationwide, including over 2,300 in California, by April 23, 2022. The survey asks producers to provide in-depth information about their operating revenues, production costs, and household characteristics. The 2021 ARMS includes questions to help measure any impacts of COVID-19 on farms, farm and household finances, and off-farm employment.

    “In February, our interviewers will begin reaching out to those farmers who have not yet responded,” said Keough “We appreciate their time and are here to help them with the questionnaire so that their information will continue supporting sound agricultural decision-making.”

    In addition to producing accurate information, NASS has strong safeguards in place to protect the confidentiality of all farmers who respond to its surveys. The agency will only publish data in an aggregate form, ensuring the confidentiality of all responses and that no individual respondent or operation can be identified.

    The expense data gathered in ARMS will be published in the annual Farm Production Expenditures report on July 29, 2022. That report and others are available at nass.usda.gov/Publications. More reports based on ARMS data and more information about ARMS are available at ers.usda.gov/arms. 

  • Despite Difficulties, U.S. Pork Exports to Mexico Show Promise

    USDA International Trade Report — Mexico is the third-largest pork importer in the world and traditionally the largest U.S. market for pork exports by volume. Over the past few years, shipments to this important market have faced headwinds. First, retaliatory tariffs related to Section 232 actions disadvantaged U.S. product. Then the coronavirus pandemic and a weak Mexican economy weighed on demand.

    With retaliatory tariffs on pork resolved and economic recovery underway, U.S. pork shipments to Mexico recovered in 2021 and are expected to improve further next year. In the second quarter of 2021, Mexico was the top international destination for U.S. pork, with shipments reaching a record high in August and again in September. With Mexican exports elevated and high feed prices keeping production growth moderate, Mexico has looked to the United States for product and will likely continue to do so. This comes at a critical juncture for the U.S. pork industry as Chinese demand is expected to remain below the record levels of 2020, renewing emphasis on traditional markets.

    Retaliatory Duties

    In March 2018, the United States announced that tariffs would be imposed on steel and aluminum from a number of countries – including Mexico – on national security grounds (Section 232). In response, Mexico imposed retaliatory measures on steel, aluminum, and a variety of agricultural products – including pork. Starting in June 2018, U.S. pork exporters faced a 10-percent tariff in one of their most important markets. This rate rose to 20 percent in July 2018. With these actions, the United States was once again exporting pork to Mexico at most favored nation levels, essentially losing the benefits achieved by the North America Free Trade Agreement.

    Immediately after the imposition of retaliatory tariffs, U.S. pork exports to Mexico dropped to below year-earlier levels and remained subdued during the rest of the year. From January through May of 2018, U.S. shipments to Mexico were running 7 percent higher than 2017; however, they ended the year 2 percent lower in the face of the tariff-rate disadvantage. This weakness persisted into 2019 as U.S. market share continued to erode. In 2017, the United States captured nearly 90 percent of the Mexico imported pork market versus 83 percent in 2019.

    Canada was the primary beneficiary as U.S. pork shipments to Mexico came under pressure. In 2018, Canadian exports to Mexico surged 31 percent year-over-year and then grew a further 5 percent in 2019. This resulted in a rise in Canada’s market share of Mexican pork imports to 16 percent compared to 11 percent in 2017.

    In May 2019, when the United States repealed the 232 tariffs levied on Mexico steel and aluminum, Mexico responded by removing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. pork. Shipments to Mexico showed some recovery but remained below the levels seen in 2017 – prior to the trade dispute. The United States was able to recover market share in 2020 without the headwinds presented by a tariff-rate disadvantage; however, a weak Mexican economy and the coronavirus pandemic created a new challenge for pork trade with Mexico.

    Pandemic-Related Disruptions

    With tariff-free access restored, U.S. pork exports to Mexico started 2020 strong, growing 12 percent year-over-year in the first quarter. However, the onset of the coronavirus pandemic quickly began to wreak havoc and weigh on pork shipments to Mexico. By the end of the year, U.S. pork exports to Mexico were virtually flat. Market share recovered, but high pork prices, a weak peso, and economic disruption seriously constrained Mexico’s aggregate import demand, preventing recovery from the low levels shipped in 2019.

    Processing disruptions and a dramatic shift from foodservice to retail initially caused tight supplies and correspondingly high prices in the United States. This had an immediate impact on pork exports to Mexico, which fell sharply. Record demand from China also made competition for product fierce. Further limiting the ability of Mexico to import U.S. pork was a surging dollar and weak peso. As the year went on, trade stabilized but was unable to overcome sales lost earlier in the year.

    Outlook

    While economic recovery in Mexico has been slow and inflation remains a concern, pent-up consumer demand is expected to support pork consumption in 2021 and, in 2022, should allow U.S. exports to return to the rising trend seen before the pandemic. Last year, Mexican pork consumption came under considerable pressure because of weak economic conditions and exceptionally strong import demand in China, which pulled domestic product into export channels.

    Mexican exports are expected to remain elevated as opportunities in Japan and South Korea are expected to offset slowing shipments to China during 2021. Segments of the Mexican pork sector will continue to become more export oriented, particularly due to growing exports to Japan given the improved market access granted under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Mexico/Japan Executive Agreement. Furthermore, Mexico is well suited to take advantage of the often-labor-intensive specifications demanded by buyers in Japan. In 2022, Chinese import demand is expected to firm and rekindle opportunities for Mexican exporters in that all-important market.

    As Mexican exports of high-value pork cuts continue to grow, domestic consumption will be augmented by imported product. With Chinese import demand waning during the rest of this year and the peso strengthening, Mexico will find itself better able to compete for pork imports on the international market. Mexico’s ability to procure imported pork in 2022 is expected to be maintained despite growth in Chinese import demand. This is because Chinese imports will remain below the record levels of 2020, and the Mexican economy is expected to be on stronger footing. Both this year and next, trade will be a key part of meeting Mexico consumers’ demand for pork.

    This is good news for the U.S. pork sector, which will be looking to offset lower shipments to China in 2021 and 2022 where trade is expected to remain below the record levels of last year. Through September 2021, U.S. pork exports to Mexico increased 30 percent over the same period in 2020. Firm demand has kept hog and pork prices in Mexico above those in the United States, allowing for robust trade with what can sometimes be a price-sensitive market – despite very strong U.S. prices.

    Expected strength in import demand in Mexico is a key feature underpinning the current U.S. pork export forecast. Returning trade to the levels seen prior to the disruptions of the last two years will help partially offset the impacts of lower shipments to China in 2021. In 2022, strong Mexican import demand is expected to push U.S. pork exports to record levels. Competition to sell product into many international markets will be fierce as Chinese import demand remains below the record levels of 2020, making Mexico particularly important going forward. Given its geographic proximity and existing trade linkages, the United States is well positioned to capitalize on growth in Mexican import demand.

  • Grant to Provide On-Farm School Scholarships, Develop Economic Case Studies

    The non-profit Soil Health Academy (SHA) today announced it has received a $200,000 grant from financial services company Wells Fargo to further advance the adoption of soil health-focused regenerative agricultural principles and practices throughout the nation.

    The grant will fund 100 scholarships for women, veteran, new and beginning, and historically under-represented farmers and ranchers to attend SHA’s upcoming, on-farm regenerative agriculture schools.

    Featuring instruction from a cadre of world-renowned regenerative farming and ranching experts, these three-day events feature foundational and practical regenerative agriculture education, including access to the on-line Regen Ag 101 course and post-school follow up and support, from the instructor cadre.

    In addition, a portion of the grant funding will be used to collect farm financial, production and soil health data that will be used to develop relevant case studies examining the correlation between soil health and farm financial health.

    “We’re increasingly seeing anecdotal evidence linking soil health, farm resiliency and improved profitability,” said SHA President Dawn Breitkreutz. “Along with providing in-person education, this grant will allow SHA to collect, analyze and share on-farm data via case studies that will further quantify the economic resiliency generated through the application of regenerative agricultural principles and practices. We’re excited and grateful to partner with Wells Fargo in this important endeavor.”

    According to Jennivine Kwan, strategist with Wells Fargo’s Institute for Sustainable Finance, the grant to SHA represents an opportunity for Wells Fargo to help improve the financial health and quality of life of farmers and their communities, empower diverse entrepreneurs and small business, and promote greater adoption of regenerative farming practices that can also bring about significant positive environmental outcomes.

    “We are proud to support the Soil Health Academy in their efforts to bring the environmental, social and economic promise of regenerative agriculture practices to women, veteran, new and beginning, and historically under-represented farmers and ranchers across the country,” Kwan said. “This exciting initiative aligns well with Wells Fargo’s commitment to advance community resiliency and adaptation efforts, empower diverse entrepreneurs and small businesses, and accelerate a just transition to a low-carbon future.”