ESG Communications’ Post

RFSI Original!  ➪ How UK’s Sustainable Farming Policy Is (Or Isn’t) Shaping Farmer Success Post-Brexit, UK sustainable farming policy and regulation have been undergoing change. The stories of four UK farmers and their journeys to build regenerative farms as profitable businesses, sheds light on where policy has and hasn't been effective to date. This, in turn, highlights significant opportunity for regeneratively minded investors. Read the full story by Will Higgins here ➪ https://lnkd.in/gtscUnWm #regenerativeagriculture #regenerativefarming #farmers #brexit #farmingpolicy #investing #investment

BIOSTIMULANTS 🌱 Câr-Y-Môr, Wales’ first regenerative seaweed and shellfish farm, is to build a new seaweed processing facility – the first of its kind in Wales, at its site in St Davids, Pembrokeshire. Construction will begin later this year. The facility will produce a plant biostimulant using seaweed harvested from Câr Y Môr’s sustainable ocean farms, these natural Biostimulants are increasingly being explored as an alternative to synthetic fertilisers and pesticides because they can help to keep the land nourished and balanced. Câr Y Môr co-founder Owen Haines said: “There is a growing interest in this type of regenerative farming because many are concerned that modern farming practices are reducing our farming land’s productivity and ecosystem health. Creating a sustainable future is a core part of Câr Y Môr's aim, and we’re very excited about the potential to provide farms and domestic customers in the UK and Ireland with a natural and sustainable biostimulant produced just off our coast.” #pembrokeshire #seaweed #biostimulants #regenerativefarming #sustainablefarming https://lnkd.in/euB_A-rk

Boortmalt engages further in regenerative agriculture with a new carbon-reduced malting barley supply agreement with Cefetra Ecosystem Services. Malting Barley supplied under this 60,000mt multi-year sourcing agreement will be produced by UK and Irish farmers under the Cefetra Ecosystem Services Farming Program. Boortmalt will reduce the carbon footprint of its supplies by more than 10,000t CO2e.   The Cefetra Ecosystem Services Farming Program program financially rewards UK & Irish farmers for producing cereals that deliver positive outcomes for sustainability, water conservation, and biodiversity. While it will result in a substantial Scope 3 CO2-emission reduction of the barley supplies in the Cefetra Ltd - Boortmalt supply chain, this agreement will also support the adoption by UK farmers of regenerative farming practices, with a particular focus on improving soil properties and achieving stable yields.   Launched in November 2023 by Cefetra Group in partnership with Soil Capital | B Corp™, this program meets the industry and retail requirements for lower emissions on route to 2030 or a Net Zero environment.   “At Boortmalt, we recognize the challenges of addressing Scope 3 emissions, as they lie beyond our immediate control and demand collaboration across the supply chain. By partnering with Cefetra, we can implement sustainable interventions directly within our supply chain, enhancing traceability and transparency of our operations. This sourcing agreement empowers us to make significant strides toward achieving our Scope 3 Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) goals.” says Yvan Schaepman, CEO of Boortmalt.   #boortmalt #mastersofmalt #regenerativeagriculture #agriculture #farming #barley #lowcarbonemission #maltingbarley #malt #malting #sustainable #sustainability #sustainablemalt #sustainablebarley #ukfarmers #irishfarmers #farmers

🌾🌍 Climate tech helps 1.5m hectares of farmland towards sustainable farming practices. Estonia-based eAgronom is on track to help farmers generate additional revenue streams, improve soil health, and access better financing, as it achieves a milestone of signing up 1.5 million hectares of farmland onto its farm management and carbon offsetting programs. The company was able to reach this goal in collaboration with 2,500 farmers from 12 countries across Europe and Africa. Since its foundation in 2016, eAgronom's partner farms have stored 400,000 tCO2 p.a., which is about the annual carbon emissions of 85,000 people. Robin Saluoks, co-founder and CEO of eAgronom, said: “We have reached 1.5 million hectares, which is an achievement by any measure but still just the first phase. We’re among the largest carbon farming platforms in the world and we’re determined to become the first European solution and continue innovating regenerative farming on multiple levels.” More on this development in the full article: https://lnkd.in/eXFMgjjF #ForwardFooding #agtech #agriculture #regenerativefarming #climatechange #emissions

In the News ➪ 5 Years In, How Does General Mills’ Regenerative Agriculture Commitment Measure Up? General Mills aims to advance regenerative agriculture on 1 million acres of land by 2030, a promise it made in 2019. That commitment is one way it hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout its value chain, 30 percent by 2030 and to net zero by 2050. "We are about halfway there, with 500,000 acres engaged in our programs," said Jay Watson, General Mills’ director of regenerative agriculture, in an interview. Read more from GreenBiz Group here ➪ https://lnkd.in/gFmuZyiY #corporatecommitment #regenerativeagriculture #regenerativefarming #foodsystems #farmland

There are barriers and strategies to scaling #regenag. An article from The Wall Street Journal provides an overview. Here is our recap:  📊 Many agrifood companies have made public commitments related to regenerative agriculture, but fewer have made quantitative targets.  🌰 Some companies are making headway through pilot programs across different crops and sourcing landscapes, as well as through long-term, direct supply relationships with farmers.  👩🌾 “Farmers need financial incentives and derisking mechanisms as well as technical and peer-to-peer support” in order to shift towards regen ag, as well as payments for ecosystem services, cost-shares for capital investments, preferential insurance rates based on resiliency, and demonstration farms to reduce the cultural barriers associated with adoption.    Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gnS6rfCP #regenerativeagriculture #soilhealth #farming #agroforestry

Great article in Forbes about The Land Group and the evolving regenerative farming business. Building a more sustainable, resilient food system for future generations will require a transition towards regenerative agricultural practices. The conventional industrial-scale agricultural model that has prevailed since World War II cannot sustainably feed a global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050. Worth a read for anyone interested in the future of health and biodiversity of agricultural ecosystems. ✍ Jamie Hailstone

Sustainable farming is crucial for the environment and the future of agriculture. However, despite 90% of US farmers being aware of sustainable practices, adoption is low due to operational and financial challenges. According to McKinsey, compensation is a significant challenge for farmers looking to adopt sustainable practices, with small farms struggling with operational barriers. To promote sustainable farming, the US Department of Agriculture is investing $7 billion in conservation in 2023 and an additional $17 billion through the Inflation Reduction Act until 2031. Industry players can also play a role by investing in education and building accessible sustainability programs. Ensuring fair value distribution is also crucial for the sector's large emissions footprint. Let's work together to support sustainable farming and make a positive impact on the environment! The European situation has many similarities! https://lnkd.in/ezrgPhXr #SustainableFarming #USFarmers #Agriculture #Conservation #Environment

Producers continue to express concerns about financial and technical supports for cover cropping and other programs. Fortunately, the growth of no-till, cover crop, and other regenerative programs paired with financing from USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, innovative supports from organizations including Conservation Technology Information Center and Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, and investments from major companies, including PepsiCo and Walmart, are expanding the reach of regenerative agriculture practices. https://lnkd.in/gMBZMZm2

Adopting worldwide regenerative agricultural practices might contribute to one-third of land-based efforts to combat climate change by the year 2030. Expanding the size or scale of our food system has positive effects on the environment. To do this, a radical change in farming practices is necessary. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dENudwPQ #GSPCrop #GrowBeyond #agriculture #farming #environment