Association for European Life Science Universities (ICA)’s Post

🔊 "Farmers who want to stay in the game need to be better than average" On January 31st, 2024, we hosted the first IFCN monthly researcher meeting of the year. Among the highlights of this webinar was a thought-provoking presentation by IFCN researcher Dr. Hauke Tergast, titled 🔊 "Dairy Farming in Germany: A Climate Perspective." 🔊 highlighting the following key points:   👉 German farmers are striving to maintain sustainable farming practices amidst strikes and economic challenges. 👉 The green deal and other policy concepts are putting pressure on the dairy sector. 👉 What are the strategies and opportunities for the German dairy sector in the following years? 4.      In the next 15-20 years, the number of dairy farms in Germany may decrease by half, but milk efficiency is expected to increase due to advancements in farming.   Our forthcoming webinar, scheduled for the 28th of February and featuring Jan van Beekhuizen, our expert from the Netherlands, is accessible to our research partners.   Please contact Shiyin Zhong, our research network manager, if you would like to join the IFCN network. To make the dairy industry's future more promising, we look forward to working with you. #dairy #bettertogether #network #researchmeeting

The final report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, handed over by the group's chair, Professor Peter Strohschneider, was published today. The report, ‘A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe’, presents an assessment of challenges and opportunities, followed by a set of recommendations. These suggestions will guide the work of the #EuropeanCommission when shaping its Vision for #Agriculture and #Food, to be delivered in the first 100 days of President von der Leyen's second mandate. #sustainability #dialog #agriculture https://lnkd.in/dnefY6fS

The recommendations and the report on the future of EU Agriculture was just published. I strongly recommend to read it as it provides with interesting insights that could also serve other regions. https://lnkd.in/eUVYuJnn

Food and agriculture leaders from across the region are gathered at COG today for a day-long forum on food access & distribution. They’ll be collaborating to better understand the cycle of food in our region & how we can work together to support robust, sustainable agriculture. Learn more about COG's regional agriculture initiatives: https://bit.ly/4bnGgyH

Rethinking Agriculture: Navigating the Complexities of Food System Transformation In a recent update from Agrico, a shift in perspective on agriculture is brought to light, signaling a departure from traditional notions towards a more comprehensive understanding of the food system. Three decades ago, the primary focus of agriculture was clear: to cultivate food and sustain livelihoods for farmers. However, in contemporary times, the discourse […] https://lnkd.in/eFJ8xMCE

🌾 The backbone of agriculture: Agricultural Associations! 🌾 In the vast landscapes of America, agricultural associations are the unsung heroes, supporting farmers, ranchers, and stakeholders across the industry. From providing educational programs to fostering community connections, these associations play a pivotal role in shaping the success of our agricultural landscape. 📚 Knowledge Powerhouse: Offering workshops on cutting-edge technologies, animal husbandry best practices, and financial management skills, they keep producers ahead of the curve. 🤝 A Network of Support: Regional and national conferences provide opportunities for networking with industry experts, troubleshooting challenges, and sharing successes, strengthening the agricultural community. 💼 Market Mavens: Helping members find new markets and bypass traditional channels, they increase profit margins and connect farmers directly with consumers and partners in the supply chain. 🚜 Farm-Focused Events: From livestock shows to farmers markets and field days, these events celebrate the dedication and skill of farmers while fostering community connections and educating consumers about the origins of their food. 🌱 Benefits Beyond the Farm Gate: By ensuring a secure food supply, contributing to economic growth, and bridging the gap between farmers and consumers, agricultural associations have a far-reaching impact on society. As we look ahead, these organizations will continue to adapt and innovate, ensuring agriculture remains vibrant and successful for generations. Let's celebrate the backbone of our food system!  Read the whole article at: https://lnkd.in/g2ixZVbF #SVVG #medford-food-co-op #eden-streets #AgriculturalAssociations #Agriculture #CommunityBuilding #FoodSecurity #BenSearcy #DrewGibbs #RustedGateFarm #SouthernOregon #Food #Foodassociations

Senator Boozman and the Senate Agriculture Committee Republicans have unveiled their new Farm Bill framework, focusing on boosting agriculture and food security with a strong emphasis on farmers' needs. Our sister company, Agricultural Hemp Solutions (AgHS), is on the front lines, advocating for policies that benefit our farming communities and the hemp industry. Dive into the full details and what this means for agriculture in the U.S. in their latest blog post: Agricultural Hemp Solutions Blog. #FarmBill2024 #Agriculture #FoodSecurity #FarmersFirst #HempLobbying #AgHS #PolicyUpdate

Yesterday was a very busy day, spent explaining to journalists, and colleagues, the nature, content and value of the report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture. Today might be less hectic, but it is not less important, on the contrary, as it’s the first day of a difficult but necessary transition that our society must engage in to transform the current food and farming system. After seven months of intense negotiations all the major farming unions, food businesses, civil society organisations and academia agreed that to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and address the socio-economic hardship that many farmers face, business as usual is no longer an option. Among the most groundbreaking agreements we reached are the recommendations to: -       Move away from area-based direct payments in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and support farmers that need it most, thus spending public money on the basis of farmers needs rather than by their size; -       Ensure a “substantial, annual, increase” of CAP environmental payments (starting from the current 32% of the CAP budget) to encourage and reward farmers who adopt sustainable farming practices going beyond the mere respect of EU legislation; -       Drive a shift towards healthier and less resource intensive diets stimulating the consumption of plant-based food, and adopt demand-side polices supporting the declining trend in the consumption of animal proteins; -       Reduce animal farming impacts particularly in areas and regions with high livestock concentration, by using tools such as buying out schemes. The Dialogue notes that since technological approaches will not be enough to achieve the climate goals, more ambitious action is needed for the most problematic areas; -       Set up a Temporary Just Transition Fund that could help farmers to transition towards more sustainable farming practices, and a well-resourced Nature Restoration Fund, to support farmers and land managers that engage in restoring degraded natural habitats, both sitting outside of the CAP. As a first concrete step expect that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will duly take into consideration all recommendations of the Strategic Dialogue and include them in the Vision for Agriculture and Food that she will publish within the first 100 days of her new mandate. The results of the Dialogue provide a robust and credible direction of travel. The report can be found via this link https://lnkd.in/dzi_arW4 #StrategicDialogue #EUfarming #agriculture #EUagriculture #SustainableFarming #ResilientAgriculture

🌾 Do not miss the publication of Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture. The recently published report is essential for anyone involved in the European agri-food industry. It outlines key insights and recommendations to build more resilient, sustainable, and competitive agri-food systems. Key takeaways: - Strengthening farmers’ positions through cooperation and transparency. - Leveraging technology and innovation for sustainability. - Promoting healthier, balanced diets and a shift toward plant-based options. - Supporting younger generations and enhancing rural attractiveness. - Mobilizing public and private capital for sustainable transitions. The report provides a clear vision for the next 10-15 years, focusing on balancing environmental goals, economic viability, and social wellbeing. The way forward is clear: cooperation, innovation, and decisive action. #EUpolicy #EU #agriculture #sustainability #Innovation #agrifood #farming #cropprotection #strategicdialogue

Meet us at Regenerative Agriculture & Food Systems Summit USA this week 🍅 Bringing together key players from across the entire food system supply chain, the Summit returns on March 12-14, 2024 with one unified mission – to accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture to build a more abundant and resilient food system for generations to come. Connect with Thomas Blackburn and find out more https://lnkd.in/exVieFng #regenag #supplychain