American Farmland Trust’s Post

🌿 Check out this informative video from WETA PBS, featuring Mike Littman, my fellow Director from the ASHBURN VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC., as he discusses the impacts of invasive species like the Tree of Heaven and the spotted lanternfly on our area. These species threaten local agriculture and viticulture, affecting our community’s natural landscape and crops. Learn more about how we can all help protect Ashburn Village and our environment!  https://lnkd.in/dXFDZDg4

I'm heading to Dallas next month to the Reducetarian Summit to share some insights from Social Change Lab's research. I'll be speaking about how different tactics and strategies can advance (or frustrate) the goals of those seeking to reduce animal product consumption and eliminate factory farming. Read more about the conference here: https://lnkd.in/eAq-FiCj Looking forward to it!

How can we create more ethical relationships with the animals we raise and consume? Is regenerative farming, meat-free living, or science-driven solutions the answer to minimising animal suffering? Don't miss the upcoming panel discussion hosted by TABLE on Rethinking Animals in Agriculture 🗓️ on 10th September.

Trees are good for cattle. They also yield ecosystem services. We've published research on this (meaning that we're officially scientists). For graziers to be game for trees, the trees species has to fit the farmer...like a good pair of jeans. Propagate is co-hosting a webinar with Rodale Institute to outline these benefits and help folks understand how to design and implement agroforestry systems. It should be a good time. You'll probably learn a lot. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ez_ryf7m

Have you heard the buzz? 🐝 NC State is home to a nationally renowned apiculture program that helps promote and protect honey bees. Led by Extension specialist David Tarpy, the program's research, instruction and extension works to ensure the essential pollinator's health for generations to come. Check out some buzzworthy facts about honey bees: 🐝 Honey bees are responsible for pollinating 80% of all flowering plants. 🐝 More than a third of the world's food supply relies on honey bees for pollination. 🐝 Honey bees are the workhorses of North Carolina's $111 billion agriculture industry, helping to sustain our food supply and economy. Learn more about the bustling lives of North Carolina bees and how NC State promotes and protects these pollinators: http://ncst.at/yvW250SmOCY

We're not pollen your leg, it's finally Pollinator Week! 🐝🪲🦋 Follow along this week as we recognize the importance of pollinators to healthy communities, ecosystems, and agriculture. Learn more about EPA’s ongoing work to protect pollinator species and their habitats: https://lnkd.in/e8_y-FP

The second State of the Science Summit promises to be an excellent forum for interaction among researchers, regulators, investors, and more. I look forward to moderating a panel on International Perspectives on Livestock Methane.

Regenerative agriculture scales when it makes financial sense for farms. Silvopasture, integrating trees and livestock, is one of those practices that has clear returns (our research suggests a 6-14% IRR). 🐄 Shade reduces heat stress on animals > leading to better weight gain and more productivity 🌿 Fodder from trees can improve nutrition and offset feed costs *Let's not forget the ecosystem benefits to soils, water, and biodiversity too. We're joining Rodale Institute today to help farms understand silvopasture for their unique context, and what is required to plant & manage these systems. Register here: https://lnkd.in/dtjWpMc4 #agroforestry #regenerativegrazing

Before you hop in the cab for harvest, remember that safety comes first. Farm Safety and Health week has kicked off its 80th year. This year’s theme is Don’t Learn Safety By Accident. Yesterday on Agriculture of America we talked with Laura Siegel from AgriSafe Network. She discussed the 11 free webinars planned for the week. Watch them online at agrisafe.org/nfshw #farmsafety #agsafety

📢 Featured Research of the Week 📢 Title: Temporal Variations of Air Quality in Cage-Free Experimental Pullet Houses Authors: Ramesh Bahadur Bist, Xiao Yang, Sachin Subedi, Milan Kumar Sharma, Amit Kumar Singh, Casey W. Ritz, Woo Kyun Kim, and Lilong Chai Key Finding: This study explores how air quality changes as pullets grow in cage-free housing systems. It found that as pullets aged, particulate matter (PM) levels significantly increased, with higher concentrations of fine dust particles around areas where the birds perch. The study also highlighted how factors like litter moisture content and relative humidity affect air quality. Why it Matters: As cage-free housing systems become more common for laying hens, understanding and improving air quality is crucial for both animal welfare and farm productivity. This research provides important insights to help farmers manage air quality during the pullet phase, contributing to healthier birds and more sustainable farming practices. 📖 Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/dJTVFPpe #PoultryHealth #animalwelfare #agriculturalresearch