City of DeSoto’s Post

For small acreage or minority landowners with limited means, accessing and participating in carbon markets can be complex and challenging. A new collaborative, the Small Landowners Carbon Collaborative, was formed to develop solutions and, ultimately, help underserved farming communities flourish through sustainability. Learn more about how our new partnership with BCarbon and Prairie View A&M University aims to connect landowners in East Texas and help them unlock opportunities that would benefit them and generations to come: https://lnkd.in/g_2HfKiu

Hey, guess what? I have some amazing news to share with you! The first-year data from the Flourish farm trials in Eastern Washington Dryland farms is out, and it's showing promising results! They've implemented regenerative farming practices with multi-use crop rotation instead of fallow and cattle grazing integration. If you're as excited as I am, let's dive deeper and check out the video explaining the multi-year three state trials. Here's the link: https://lnkd.in/giYwqq-i. #RegenerativeAgriculture #futureoffarming #drylandfarming

Collective Impact Workshop #2 – “The Rubber Hits the Road” The second of four planned workshops under Perth NRM’s Collective Impact project occurred on Wednesday 6th March at The Hub, Bentley Technology Park. Twenty-seven invitees attended from diverse stakeholder groups such as Farmers / farming communities & groups, Government agencies, NRM / Landcare groups, Traditional Custodians (First Peoples) and landscape research and training groups. "Restoring natural capital through a collective impact approach".... The purpose of the Restoration Impact Framework is to restore natural capital in our farming landscapes. Through a collective impact approach, the project aims to: 👍 Enable a more cohesive, strategic, and investable approach to supporting West Australian farmers and land managers restore natural capital. 👍Identify key indicators for change and ensure there is consistency in monitoring and evaluation of activities. Monitoring and evaluation data will be aggregated and utilised to demonstrate change (Impact). 👍Establish and present a business case for government and philanthropic entities to invest into restoring natural capital. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gJBnRUur

This is a fascinating transaction which really demonstrates the scale and appetite that there currently is for 'Natural Capital' at the moment. For existing landowners with 'rollover funds' to reinvest these sorts of purchasers present a challenge. However for those landowners who are looking to maximise their Natural Capital potential this is an encouraging 'proof of concept' of the marketplace and there are other ways to access this value other than than selling the land. Regenerative farming in particular is providing a good answer for some to be able to balance carbon sequestration, soil health, bio-diversity with food security. As ever it's all about the right scheme in the right place. #Naturalcapital #regenag

Exciting News from City Greens Hydroponics! At City Greens, we are committed to advancing sustainable farming routines through innovation and expansion. We are excited to share some significant milestones that mark our journey towards upgrading urban agriculture. Solar Integration in Farming: City Greens is proud to announce the successful integration of solar energy into our hydroponic systems. By exploiting the power of the sun, We are lowering our carbon footsteps, reducing operational expenses, and creating a path for a sustainable future. Our solar-powered hydroponic farms not only promote energy efficiency but also ensure a sustainable and eco-friendly food production process. This innovation allows us to grow fresh produce throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions, ensuring consistent supply and quality. By utilizing solar power, we not only support a cleaner environment but also enhance the efficiency and productivity of our hydroponic farms. City Greens' solar-powered hydroponic systems stand for the future of farming, where renewable energy and modern technology work hand in hand. Connect with us in our mission to revolutionize farming practices. With City Greens, Anyone can grow Anywhere. #CityGreens #UrbanFarming #Hydroponics #SustainableLiving #GreenFuture #AgriTech #Innovation #Bangalore #CompanyMilestone

Challenges and hopes: Winston-Salem hydroponic farm faces an uncertain future A Winston-Salem initiative to combat food insecurity with a hydroponic farm has faced major obstacles. Despite receiving a two-year operating contract, the farm continues to struggle with high operating costs caused by intensive water and energy consumption. The project, located in Kimberley Park, has also drawn criticism for reducing green space, prompting debate about its future sustainability and impact on the community. Hydroponic farming, while innovative, poses unique challenges such as energy-intensive requirements for artificial lighting and environmental controls. H.O.P.E., the nonprofit organization that operates the farm, recognizes the need for sustainable solutions such as solar panels to reduce operating costs and environmental impact. The story of a hydroponic farm in Winston-Salem highlights the complex balance between innovation, sustainability and community needs. While the city evaluates the farm’s performance under H.O.P.E., important decisions are being made regarding its future. Despite the setbacks, the project highlights ongoing efforts to provide nutritious food to low-income communities, reflecting a broader commitment to urban agriculture and social equity.

Gas producers' acquisition of grazing properties in southern NSW for carbon offsets underscores a significant issue for Landcare: the impact of single-purpose land use. Converting farmland solely for carbon sequestration can sterilise the land from diverse uses, leading to negative consequences for agriculture, biodiversity, and local communities. The transition from productive farming to carbon offset projects reduces economic activity, disrupts rural communities, and may create ecological imbalances. A challenging question arises: Can we find a more balanced approach to achieving carbon neutrality that does not undermine local economies and ecosystems? Landcare NSW emphasises integrated land management to ensure land serves multiple purposes, thereby maximising ecological, social, and economic benefits for sustainable and resilient communities. This is critical because integrated land use supports biodiversity, enhances agricultural productivity, and maintains the social fabric of rural areas, which is essential for long-term environmental and community health. See the original ABC Online article here: https://ab.co/3Sfkl5A Landcare NSW

Developing a Whole Farm (Property) Plan. One more week to go as a participant in this Melbourne Polytechnic short course, geared to help small holding farmers, peri-urban agribusinesses or people looking to manage green wedge land sustainably. The objective: to build some of the skills needed for sustainable and profitable ventures, and to share relevant state and local government planning requirements. As a planner, and former farmer, it’s been valuable to see the expectations of regulators, through the lens of a course like this. A great initiative for landholders and would be landholders, supported by the Victorian Government’s Agriculture TAFE and Training Fund. #agVic #regenerativeagriculture #ruralplanner #localgovernment

Government Grants up to $5 million to support partnerships and projects which foster sustainable agriculture and NRM innovation. Eligible organisations can apply for between $250,000 and $5 million on a competitive basis to support medium to large scale projects which drive the development, trialling, adoption and roll-out of climate-smart, sustainable, innovative tools and on-ground farm practices that increase the agriculture sector's productivity and profitability. Eligible applicants must hold an ABN, be a permanent resident of, and located in, Australia, be financially viable and be part of a consortium arrangement that meets the eligibility set out in the grant program guidelines. Applicants must be one of the following entity types: - Company - Incorporated Association - Local Government Entity - Cooperative - Corporate Commonwealth Entity - Corporate State or Territory Entity - Non-Corporate State or Territory Entity or Statutory Authority - Partnership - Person - Sole Trader - Statutory Entity Applications must be submitted by 9:00PM (ACT local time) on 8th April 2024. For more information and to access the online form follow the link below. #agriculture #sustainableagriculture #NRM #sustainability #agriculturegrants

Key takeaways from the 8th Carbon Farming Industry Forum on Australia’s carbon market and carbon farming industry:   - The ACCU scheme is central to Australia's net zero transition, but integrity remains essential. Pricing premiums for ACCU products with other beneficial features such as biodiversity, indigenous involvement and alignment. - Continue investment into the ACCU Scheme ($48 million over 4 years). - Total ACCU supply diminishes against Safeguard Mechanism demand from 2026 onwards. Here are the latest updates on some of the ERF methods: - Industry led method development. DEECCW consulting on new methods including modifications and improvements to native regrowth and regeneration e.g. Longer baseline clearing period. - New Environmental and mallee plantings method draft to ERAC for consideration in late May. Considered changes to newness-in-lieu, limited sale of propagation material climate resilient plantings, infill plantings. - Savanna fire management method proposals, may include new modelling tool SavCAM (FullCAM + NAFI fire mapping). - Integrated Farm and Land Management Method - continued work to develop method, draft may be provided to ERAC late 2024. Modular approach to bolt-on carbon pools across the property scale. #carbon #carbonfarming #Australia #Carbonindustryforum #carbonmarket #ACCU #IFLM