Claire Brosnihan’s Post

Such useful insights on regen agriculture.

🌱 Exciting Read Alert! 🌍 AlphaMundi Foundation is championing sustainable agriculture by supporting smallholder farmers and local communities leverage the strength of organic fertilizers. Find the link to the full Medium article below. Key Takeaways: ➤ Organic fertilizers are revolutionizing agriculture, promoting soil health and boosting crop yields. ➤ Through strategic investments and partnerships, we're nurturing a greener and more resilient agricultural sector.  ➤ Join us in our unwavering mission to revitalize agriculture and empower smallholder farmers for a sustainable future. In the words of Sarah Makena, Climate Investment Advisor to GIZ, "These organic fertilizers have been a game-changer for our farmers, revitalizing their land and increasing their productivity." Claude Arséne Savadogo, GIE BIOPROTECT.B's Founder and a recipient of the WE4F grant, echoes this sentiment, stating, "I've witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of these organic fertilizers on our community. They've not only improved our yields but also our livelihoods." With over 5,000 farmers trained and counting, our commitment to sustainable agriculture continues to grow. Explore the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dxsfSsE3 #SustainableAgriculture #SmallholderFarmers #OrganicFertilizer #Empowerment #ImpactInvesting #RegenerativeFarming Water and Energy for Food Grand Challenge Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH GIZ Kenya Kilian Blumenthal Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Nathalie Weisman

The regenerative agriculture movement is making waves! We're guilty of using that term often, so we wanted to give you insight into what "regenerative" ACTUALLY means for us at Olander Farms. Nearly five years ago, we transitioned our farm away from conventional farming methods of deep tillage, the widespread use of round-up ready corn, and reliance on synthetic fertilizers. Here's what we're up to: 🌾Our primary focus is to keep our fields covered with something green for as many days as possible, effectively preventing erosion, enriching the soil with nutrients, and creating opportunities for cattle grazing. We plant barley, rye, and wheat during the fall months and cover crops (radishes, turnips, peas, hairy vetch) during the summer months. The cover crops are inter-seeded in our corn fields or planted following our small grain harvest. 🌾We adapted our planter to sow directly into the cover crop residue, minimizing carbon emissions into the atmosphere and preserving moisture, as every tillage pass can cause the loss of 1/4 inch of soil moisture. By planting our barley directly into older alfalfa stands, we also leverage the nitrogen-fixing properties of alfalfa to minimize our fertilizer use, and as a result we reduce soil disturbance and enhance water absorption. We've also slashed our fuel costs by at least 50%. 🌾Crop rotation has always been a cornerstone of our farming approach, alternating between alfalfa, corn, and barley (even beans and sugar beets years ago). This rotation prevents disease, specifically DON, and minimizes the use of fungicide. 🌾We rely on soil analysis to provide plants with essential nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen through natural foliar sprays. Our goal is to achieve a harmonious balance where the soil nurtures itself. We've boosted organic matter by at least 0.5% (we're currently at 2%) in our fields, aiming for the optimal range of 5%. We also make our own compost and worm tea (did you catch our post about worm tea?) to increase fungal activity. 🌎️💚What does all this mean? EVERY malt that we make is regeneratively grown on our farm! Regenerative malts for planet-positive beer. That's a win-win!

🌱🌾 Unlocking the Potential of the Biostimulants Market! 🌾🌱   🌿 What are #Biostimulants? Biostimulants are natural or synthetic substances that improve plant growth, health, and productivity. Unlike traditional #fertilizers, they work by enhancing the plant’s natural processes, leading to stronger and more resilient crops. 🌿✨   📈 Market Growth The Biostimulants market is booming! As the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly #FarmingPractices increases, the market for biostimulants is projected to see substantial growth in the coming years. This surge is driven by innovations in #AgriculturalBiotechnology and a growing focus on reducing chemical inputs in #farming. 📊   🌟 Why It Matters ✔️ Sustainability: Biostimulants help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, promoting healthier soils and ecosystems. 🌱 ✔️ Productivity: They enhance nutrient uptake, improve stress tolerance, and boost crop yields, ensuring food security. 🍅🌽 ✔️ Quality: Crops treated with biostimulants often have better nutritional value, taste, and shelf life. 🍓   💡 Industry Applications ✔️ Organic Farming: Essential for meeting organic certification requirements and improving crop health. ✔️ Horticulture: Enhancing the growth and quality of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. ✔️ Row Crops: Increasing yields and resilience in staple crops like corn, wheat, and soybeans.   🌱🌾 Learn more in our article at https://bit.ly/45i81Xk   #BiostimulantsMarket #SustainableAgriculture #GreenFarming

ADM has announced that its global regenerative agriculture program expanded to more than 2.8 million acres in 2023, exceeding its 2 million acre goal. In addition, the company announced that it is targeting 3.5 million regenerative acres in 2024 and is increasing its 2025 goal from 4 million to 5 million acres globally. ADM partnered with more than 28,000 growers of corn, soybeans, wheat, peanuts, cotton, sorghum, canola and barley in 2023 as it expanded its regenerative agriculture efforts globally, including the launch of new programs in Europe and Latin America. Participating farms again saw improvements in soil health and carbon footprint. Continue Reading: https://lnkd.in/gJf7TxMS #Sustainability #RegenerativeAg #Agribusiness #PlantHealth

🌱 Is Regenerative and Organic Farming Africa’s Road to Agricultural Prosperity? 🌍 Have you ever wondered why Africa, blessed with fertile soils and favorable climates, still struggles with food security? Could regenerative and organic farming be the key to unlocking our agricultural potential and transforming the lives of millions? Here’s what I’ve been thinking: What if we embraced methods that restore soil health while increasing yields over time? What if we shifted from chemicals to sustainable practices that protect our environment and build resilience against climate change? What if organic farming became the new frontier for young innovators, turning agriculture into a vibrant and rewarding career path? But it’s not all straightforward, is it? There are real challenges: •How do we convince farmers that these methods can work? •Where do we find the training, research, and funding to help them transition? •How do we show farmers the value in patience when the rewards of regenerative farming take time to manifest? Despite these obstacles, I believe in the opportunities. Regenerative and organic farming can position Africa as a global leader in sustainable agriculture while offering youth and communities new economic opportunities. As part of The African Botanical Revival Initiative, Braehtl Analytics is combining research and local action to promote organic and regenerative farming practices aimed at redeeming and revitalizing Africa’s indigenous botanicals. Through a model that includes: 1. Research and Development: Documenting the potential and uses of indigenous botanicals, ensuring we have the necessary knowledge to move forward. 2. Youth Empowerment: Mobilizing young people in villages to engage in sustainable botanical farming as a viable livelihood. 3. Workshops and Training: Providing farmers with knowledge on organic farming, harvesting techniques, and how to market their crops effectively. 4. Market Linkages: Connecting farmers with agro-processing firms for value addition and establishing access to both local and international markets. 5. Global Outreach: Helping farmers tap into global markets for their botanicals, boosting export opportunities and income generation. Together, through awareness, mentorship, and innovation, we can restore Africa’s rich agricultural heritage and create a sustainable, profitable future for farmers. What’s your take? Is this the direction we need to claim our rightful position in global agriculture? I’d love to hear your thoughts! 🌱 Karen L. Booker, CIT, CCC, A-GLCC Alex Ssempebwa Jacqueline Namutaaya Twesigye Duncan Regenerative Organic Alliance #RegenerativeFarming #OrganicFarming #AfricanAgriculture #Sustainability #YouthInAgriculture #FoodSecurity #AfricanBotanicals #AgriculturalInnovation #Research #ClimateChange

PepsiCo Europe Teams Up with Yara to Reduce Carbon Footprint in Crop Production: Will start with initial focus on Potatoes. PepsiCo Europe has joined forces with Yara, a leading Norwegian fertiliser company, to support approximately 1,000 farms across Europe in cutting emissions related to crop production. The collaboration, spanning multiple countries, aims to equip participating farmers with top-tier crop nutrition products, low carbon fertilisers, agronomic guidance, and cutting-edge precision farming digital tools to enhance yields and minimize environmental impact. Under this initiative, Yara will supply up to 165,000 tons of fertiliser annually, catering to about a quarter of the crop fertiliser requirements within PepsiCo Europe’s supply chain. The fertilisers, primarily sourced from Yara’s Climate Choice range, include low-carbon footprint options derived from renewable ammonia or forthcoming low-carbon ammonia produced through a new carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility at Yara Sluiskil. Additionally, premium nitrate-based mineral fertilisers made with natural gas and Yara’s catalyst technology, offering a 50% lower carbo... https://lnkd.in/gNbM5Zan

PepsiCo Europe Teams Up with Yara to Reduce Carbon Footprint in Crop Production: Will start with initial focus on Potatoes. PepsiCo Europe has joined forces with Yara, a leading Norwegian fertiliser company, to support approximately 1,000 farms across Europe in cutting emissions related to crop production. The collaboration, spanning multiple countries, aims to equip participating farmers with top-tier crop nutrition products, low carbon fertilisers, agronomic guidance, and cutting-edge precision farming digital tools to enhance yields and minimize environmental impact. Under this initiative, Yara will supply up to 165,000 tons of fertiliser annually, catering to about a quarter of the crop fertiliser requirements within PepsiCo Europe’s supply chain. The fertilisers, primarily sourced from Yara’s Climate Choice range, include low-carbon footprint options derived from renewable ammonia or forthcoming low-carbon ammonia produced through a new carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility at Yara Sluiskil. Additionally, premium nitrate-based mineral fertilisers made with natural gas and Yara’s catalyst technology, offering a 50% lower carb... https://lnkd.in/gY7pa-hU

ADM and Bayer expand #regenerativeagriculture partnership in Europe Following successful trials which reduced #carbonemissions on farms by 15%, ADM and Bayer are expanding their jointly-delivered regenerative agriculture programme. The businesses jointly conducted a feasibility study into the adoption of regenerative #farmingpractices at #oilseed rape farms in Poland last year. This work covered around 9,000 hectares and resulted in notable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Changes made to on-farm processes included reducing tillage, planting cover crops and companion crops, planning crop rotation and adopting organic and bio-based inputs to promote crop growth. Now, ADM and Bayer will extend the programme to more oilseed rape farmers, plus additional crops including corn, wheat and barley. It will also be expanded beyond Poland to other markets in Eastern Europe. It is hoped that participating farms will be able to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40%. Other benefits should include improved soil quality, enhanced biodiversity and heightened resilience. ADM and Bayer will provide participating farmers with both financial and technical support. Finance will be paid on a per-hectare basis; farmers will need to show their participation by measuring and verifying the adoption of agreed practices on a digital platform called Sandy, created by Trinity Agtech. Technical support will be provided by local agronomists. Farmers will initially be educated on the environmental sustainability issues facing their specific crops in their regions. They will then be able to access individual on-farm assessments to inform the development of regenerative ag plans. Farmers will be connected online and at face-to-face events to share their experiences and learnings. One participating farmer in Warmia-Masuria, Piotr Hulanicki, said: “We conduct regenerative agriculture practices on the farm because it is profitable for us. However, they must be well balanced with other agronomic practices to achieve farm-wide success.” Bayer’s carbon business lead for the EMEA region, Lionnel Alexandre, said: “Developing a project with ADM in Europe on regenerative agriculture has a strong meaning for us as it showcases the importance of building a robust and committed value chain approach, where all players work for a common goal.” 2025 vision The expansion of the project will contribute to ADM’s 2025 ambition of supporting regenerative agriculture across five million acres globally. As of the end of 2023, it had reached more than 2.8 million acres. ADM’s director of global sustainability programmes Michelle French recently spoke to edie to outline learnings from engaging more than 28,000 farmers and identifying the right partnerships to scale regenerative ag practices. https://lnkd.in/dBX_KtJ5

#farmers need to know the right questions to ask when it comes to using "biological" inputs. With the right science, grower understanding and product use cases - the broad category of "biologicals" can create more efficient, resilient global crop production systems. #agriculture #cropnutrition #biologicals #biostimulants The Fertilizer Institute, CropLife America, National Corn Growers Association, Farm Journal