Sarah Day Levesque

At HCS, we're driving a revolution in regenerative agriculture and carbon sequestration that benefits both farmers and the environment. Our process begins by onboarding forward-thinking farmers committed to sustainable practices. We guide them through the adoption of regenerative agriculture techniques that not only enhance their crop yields but also play a critical role in carbon sequestration. After the harvest, we take it a step further by applying high quality biochar directly to their fields. This remarkable substance boosts soil health, improves long-term soil carbon storage, and enhances crop productivity. The result? Farmers see tangible benefits in their soil quality and yield, year after year. But the rewards don't stop there. Through our innovative model, farmers are also compensated with carbon credits valued between $35 and $80 per tCO2e annually. These credits represent not just an additional income stream but a long-term commitment to sustainability and the global fight against climate change. At HCS, we're proud to be part of a circular system where every step—from soil to harvest—contributes to a healthier planet and more prosperous farming communities. #RegenerativeAgriculture #CarbonSequestration #Sustainability #HempCarbonStandard #Biochar #CarbonCredits #FarmersFirst #CircularEconomy

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I recently participated on a Paulsen panel alongside Anne Warden, Joanna Hunter and Lucas Lentsch to discuss approaches, challenges and successes in communicating with farmers about Checkoff efforts. The conversations reinforced the value of commodity checkoff programs and reminded me how important it is to communicate about the work we’re doing with the producers we represent. As the National Pork Board, information is our core product, and it’s how we strategically use our science-backed information and communications platforms that move the needle for our producers. Currently, NPB is focusing on helping the Millennial and Gen Z generations recognize how pork aligns with their food values and needs and, in turn, building demand potential for pork products.  But when it comes to informing our producers about our work, our industry is structured in a way that we can – and must – connect one-on-one and face-to-face with our producers. At the end of the day, people are our most important communications opportunity. We have around 20 NPB experts and thought leaders – that’s ~25% of our staff – speaking regularly with stakeholders about checkoff-funded work. Through close collaboration, coordination, and communication with state pork associations and their producer leaders, our approach is both efficient and effective. We work for the producers themselves and maintain consistent communication about how we are “Building a Bigger Appetite for Pork.” Our steady outreach and approach keep producers informed of our market demand efforts, and we encourage opting into our communications to stay informed: https://lnkd.in/gGevZj9g  

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Vote on which #farmers will represent you in the upcoming ISA Board of Directors election. The board of directors determines how your 🌱 checkoff gets invested. Whether it’s increasing market demand, agronomic and conservation research, or consumer outreach, your vote impacts the future of soybean farmer priorities. Learn more about the candidates and how to vote 🔽 https://lnkd.in/gYUmmBKr Funded by the soybean checkoff.

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From #podcasts to #webinars and #videos, Agri-Pulse has a lot to offer this week on #trade and the #ageconomy #agriculture

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We've compiled an extensive report showing how well-designed grower programs impact agribusiness. Participation in these programs has been shown to drive a 30% increase in product use, indicating their powerful impact. This report provides a deep dive into the factors that influence farmer and retailer participation, offering you the knowledge to optimize your approach. Understanding these trends is essential for staying competitive. If you’re interested, download here: https://lnkd.in/gK2dFRKR #agresearch #growerprograms

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In today's lodiwine.com/blog, read about how Lodi growers are addressing climate change by focusing a good chunk of LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (https://lnkd.in/gw7wAxX2) #sustainability #SustainableWinegrowing #sustainablegrapes #greenhousegasreduction #lodiwine #lodiwinecountry #stephaniebolton #climatechange #globalwarming #globalwarmingisreal

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Greetings friends! If there ever was a time for innovation in agriculture, it is now. Commodity prices and net farm income have both taken deep dives in the wrong direction. Farmers and ag retailers are nervous and not sure what to do. It reminds me of a story from Steve Jobs - after getting fired by his Board and rehired after a 12-year absence, he made the comment - "when times are tough, the answer is not always to slash and burn - it is to INNOVATE." So, if you google the definition of the word "innovate" it says: "To introduce new things, new ideas, or new ways of doing something into an established practice." And to do that, you need new tools such as Drones, Satellites, new bio stimulants, proper stand count measurements, better placement of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and nutritional products. Those tools are out there and are amazing to use and allow innovation at a whole new level. This is the time to take a clean sheet of paper, sit down with your customers and create an innovative plan going into 2025. There are all kinds of new technologies out there to help you do things differently as a retailer and a grower. Be open to them. "BE OPEN TO EVERYTHING AND ATTACHED TO NOTHING." See more at taranis.com

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AgTech Ecosystem - Purdue University did some consumer research around regenerative agriculture and made a few key findings. Here are my thoughts: 1) 71% of consumers have little (28%) to no (43%) familiarity. Yep - in spite of all the noise, 7 out of 10 consumers have no idea what regenerative means or should mean to them. This makes sense because there is no standard definition for the term and consumers described it with a complete mish-mash of wildly different words. 2) When asked whether they would pay more for regenerative foods, over 88% said no because of the higher price point compared to conventional food prices. More specifically, when asked how to pay for regen, 42% of consumers said government should pay and 6% said consumers should pay more. Yep - that's a 7:1 ratio of government:consumer. This suggests a very low interest level in paying more for these products at the grocery store. Most challenging for regen advocates is that consumers felt the most important attribute regen foods should have is maintaining food prices, not environmental benefits like soil health and reduced emissions. So what do the findings mean: 1) For AgTech startups working on regenerative solutions, the message is clear - sell the solutions to growers and lobby the government/CPG companies/those with ESG commitments to pay for the practice changes. Consumers aren't interested - so don't include them in the conversation. 2) For regen advocates, be very clear on the practices that matter and work hard to secure capital to pay for them. Every practice change, particularly some regen changes, requires costs and to incent them to move faster they need to be paid for the changes. Focus on the key practice changes that have the highest and best certainty of ROI and stay focused only on those, don't target marginal ROI items with less clear financial benefits. 3) For companies that make ESG commitments that tie to performance around regen practices, bring your wallet. Consumers are making it clear you get to own the messaging to your shareholders and you get to own the practice change costs - and right now only 8% of you are bringing a wallet at all. The message from consumers is getting clear - (1) companies that make ESG commitments own the messaging opportunity around the benefits and the financial responsibility for paying for the changes to get made, so (2) they better focus on a couple of key practice areas that deliver ROI and fund those first and (3) startups that aim solutions at their intersection of practice change and payments for them will do better than those trying to inject regen into the conversation grocery stores have with customers. Rob Trice Rhishi P. Sachi Desai Carter Williams Vonnie Estes Rob Dongoski https://lnkd.in/gMmFRNUD

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The Crop Trust is commissioning a final review of the Seeds for Resilience Project seedbanks. This review will assess progress toward the Crop Trust Performance Targets and examine institutional and financial factors impacting seedbank operations. Learn more & apply: https://buff.ly/3ue68d0 #Seeds4Africa #financialreview #hiring #jobopportunity

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Successful businesses can grow out of supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs), so what do FFA members do when they need more capital to continue their enterprise? Recognizing the power of FFA members' SAEs, in 2023, donors Shorty and Ro Whittington provided a lead gift to launch the FFA Venture Capital Fund. Read more in this article I wrote for the most recent National FFA Annual Report: “THE KIND OF SEED THAT WE WANT TO PLANT” https://lnkd.in/g7-aJZ4c

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A recent #Reuters article addressed the most recent lobbying efforts on behalf of U.S. #agribusiness / #agriculture in light of the inevitable retaliatory #tariffs on U.S. #soybean from #China born from President Biden's continued--and increased--Trump-based tariffs against various Chinese exports. Such efforts by U.S. soybean #farmers, while admirable, will prove futile as China is in full control of what it tariffs, especially as it continues importing cheaper #Brazilian soybean. (Despite China's recent flash sales of U.S. new soybeans, the second-largest global economy is known to cancel such orders.) China's leadership is cognizant of the serious economic impacts its tariffs have had on U.S. agriculture in the past, with #Iowa bearing the largest burden as its own soybean #exports to China have accounted for up to 33% historically. Considering the country's ongoing real estate debacle and increasing local debts that preclude a legitimate economic reversal, such retaliatory tariffs only make sense for China to implement for both practical and spiteful reasons. No country outside the U.S. can adequately compensate for China's previous demand for U.S. soybean. No combined bloc of amenable trade partners can sustainably satisfy the discrepancy. Regardless of the presiding U.S. political party, U.S. agriculture continues receiving short shrift as either major party remains oblivious to the importance of U.S. ag's role in foreign trade policy, which ultimately influences domestic tax policies.

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🌍👨🌾 Global Solutions for Labor Challenges in Agriculture: Jamie Clover Adams Speaks Up 🎧 Discover crucial insights on the Ag Culture Podcast as Jamie Clover Adams stresses the importance of addressing labor challenges in agriculture with a global perspective: "Labor challenges require not just local but global solutions and perspectives." Join us as Jamie delves into the complex issues surrounding agricultural labor, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions that consider diverse global inputs. Learn about the strategies and collaborations necessary to create a sustainable and effective agricultural workforce worldwide. 🔊 Tune in now to gain a deeper understanding of how global cooperation can address the pressing labor challenges in agriculture. The episode is available on all main platforms: https://lnkd.in/g85SqSwP #AgCulturePodcast #JamieCloverAdams #GlobalAgriculture #LaborSolutions #ListenNow #Ag #AgPodcast #Agriculture #AgriculturePodcast #Podcast #PodcastQuote #PodcastGuest #GlobalAg #LaborChallenges #GlobalSolutions #GlobalPerspectives

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U.S. Soy closed out the #TransformFood conference this week on the topic of how to incentivize farmers to scale up their sustainable practices. In partnering with the food value chain through the Farmers for Soil Health Marketplace or other programs, United Soybean Board farmer-leader Tony Mellenthin shared- “We farm with infinite variables, and we treat each and every field separately. We have our own recipe as far as the varieties that we grow, tillage and cover crop practices, fertilization and crop nutrition. We know that food companies want data, data, data, but a quantifiable reimbursement structure is critical because we’re truly giving up the trade secret of how we farm. But when companies help alleviate our financial risk, it builds trust.” Nancy Kavazanjian, Jack Cornell and Grey Montgomery also provided insights during the panel and sparked many questions from the audience who were interested in how farmers future proof their land and business to stay profitable. Reuters #sustainability #regenerativeag #climatesmartag #agdata #sustainablefood

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(USA 16.09.24) #growingproduce #agtech Top 50 Ag Tech and Food Tech Listings for 2024. SVG Ventures | THRIVE https://lnkd.in/gAWMn2BV has published its 2024 THRIVE Top 50 Ag Tech and Food Tech list, showcasing the world’s most innovative, venture-backed companies transforming the global agri-food value chain. Now in its seventh year, the report highlights significant shifts, with over half of the featured companies being new, emphasizing rapid innovation in ag tech and food tech. The Top 50 companies were selected for their leadership, cutting-edge technology, investment potential, and market impact. These organizations set the industry standard, covering sectors like Controlled Environment Agriculture, Animal Technology, On-Farm Automation, Novel Crop Inputs, and Agribusiness Platforms. SVG Ventures CEO John Hartnett praised these companies for their critical role in driving industry change. Meister Media Worldwide https://lnkd.in/gQzis_QS partnered as the official media sponsor for this year’s report. https://lnkd.in/gZEABmBJ

How crucial is it for businesses to integrate sustainability practices into their operations? Nikki Cossio, Kyle Cosgrove, and Gabe Worthington discuss why sustainability has become imperative in the fresh produce industry, emerging regulations, increasing buyer demands, sustainability metrics, and more on the International Fresh Produce Association's Fresh Takes on Tech podcast. Listen to the full episode now.

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The term "regenerative agriculture" has come into vogue in recent years, and I've used it many times in Local Food Forum. But there are many farmers who have invested much effort to obtaining and maintaining the USDA Organic label, believe organic practices are better for people and the planet, and — unlike regenerative — organic is clearly defined in federal law and regulation. A campaign launched by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, under the heading of "Organic is Regenerative," indicates that the community of organic advocates is pushing back. Read about the Foundation's messaging toolkit for organic ag advocates on localfoodforum.com https://lnkd.in/gMiu5XbR

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