| | | | | | | | | Peer Learning Groups Are An Important And Effective Part Of Practice Change | | | Last week, I shared news from the Trust In Food Symposium around the importance of the human dimensions of change. My colleague Cara Urban dives into more detail on this topic in her latest post that explores findings from our 2022 State of Sustainable Ag report. This heady idea became grounded in real life when we gathered in person – for the first time in two years – to discuss the impact of human dimensions on the adoption of climate-smart ag practices. We welcomed more than 20 leaders representing the Founding Partners of America’s Conservation Ag Movement (ACAM), including four of our Conservation Steward farmers, who are leading knowledge-sharing groups in their communities. These farmer conservation leaders play a critical role in the work that ACAM does on the ground across the six states where we are at work. They openly share the good, bad and ugly of their own operations' conservation journeys. They help shape a culture of conservation within their communities. And perhaps most importantly, through workshops, events and casual get-togethers in local coffee shops, they create opportunities for farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing. After all, a neighbor’s experience is about as relatable and relevant a data point for a conservation-curious farmer as it can get. This newsletter features the first in a series of profiles on our Conservation Stewards. Aaron Krueger’s commitment to continuous improvement is inspiring, and as enthusiasm continues to build for climate-smart agriculture partnerships, I hope you’ll consider building farmer-to-farmer peer networks in as part of your program. Centering farmers in this way is not only the right thing to do, it has shown to be a highly effective strategy in our human dimensions toolkit. Have questions or ideas about the role of farmer peer networks? We’re happy to share what we’ve learned in coordinating these networks over the past two years and our vision of how we hope they grow going forward. I’d love to hear from you. Yours in regenerative ag,
Amy Skoczlas Cole
Executive Vice President, Trust In Food™ | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | Human Dimensions Provide Pivotal Perspective on Producers’ Journey in Regenerative Ag | | | By Cara Urban, Sustainability and Carbon Analyst, Trust in Food: There has never been more urgency for governments, NGOs and supply chain partners to address issues like climate change, biodiversity and soil and water health. The 2022 State of Sustainable Ag report by Trust In Food and Field to Market identifies three keys to helping producers adopt regenerative practices: human dimensions support, technical assistance and financial incentives. | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | Shared By Ryan Heiniger, Director of America's Conservation Ag Movement, Trust in Food: This cooperative farming model backed by The Freedom Georgia Initiative is uniquely suited to support Black farmers, who continue to overcome systemic inequalities in finance, legal defense against fraud and access to markets. Access to fresh, healthy foods is disproportionate in Black communities, which makes this 500-acre cooperative farming operation an oasis for the community. “We’re really heavy on conservation practices and exploring this idea of how to live and work and play all in proximity to our food,” says Ashley Scott, co-owner of the land with 18 other families. “It’s really an opportunity for us to use farming as a means to address health disparities that affect us." | | |
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| | | Shared by Nate Birt, vice president, Trust In Food: In this fascinating profile, first-generation livestock producers Mark and Annette Thomas of Meno, Okla., share their transition to a regenerative operation. “Getting those soils back to a more natural soil biology and more natural nitrogen sources, ... that’s your goal,” Mark Thomas explains. | | |
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| | | Shared By Ryan Heiniger, Director of America's Conservation Ag Movement, Trust in Food: A UW–Madison study examined a total of 68,401 news stories from the four agricultural print media outlets between the years 2002 to 2020 to determine how farmers receive and respond to news stories and other media to help guide them in their transition to regenerative agriculture practices. The most frequently written-about soil conservation practices were tillage agriculture, manure management and grazing. In more recent years, however, coverage has grown significantly for other soil conservation practices such as cover crops. Generally, articles tended to mention environmental and economic benefits more than agricultural benefits across all soil conservation practices. | | |
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