Jessy Beckett Parr’s Post

The Faaborg family's journey from industrial hog farming to mushroom cultivation is truly inspiring. It's a great example of how agriculture can make a positive impact on the land and communities. I hope their story, from despair to hope and their dedication to restoring their land and livelihoods, can serve as inspiration to many. 💚 Stories like these highlight the pressing need for a return to farming practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and community well-being. Organic farming is a climate-smart solution that offers a proven path towards a more resilient and sustainable food system. I'm reminded of the Organic Farming Research Foundation's #OrganicIsRegenerative toolkit, which is packed with valuable resources and insights into the benefits of organic farming. It's an awesome tool for anyone keen on understanding how organic regenerative agriculture can contribute to a more sustainable future. https://lnkd.in/gcX2RTUY #OiR #SoilHealth #OrganicForClimate

Thanks to Alliance for Agriculture & Virgin Island Good Food I had the opportunity to assist the “Island Food System Summit 2024 in ST. Croix. Relationships, Resources & Resilience”. Our panel discussed Leveraging Strengths for Impact: The Imperative of Cross-Sector Collaboration in Food Systems In this summit we meet great people and connect with old friends. The forum was one full of good energies and similarities. We discussed and shared topics related to Food production in a sustainable way and it’s impact in our islanders ecosystems. Seen some of the challenges that we encounter and discussing solutions to mitigate them fill us with Inspiration and a path to continue moving forward. Now days with so many global changes is imperative that we stay closer to our food source. Let’s keep Growing🌱 #Alliance4agriculture #AgriculturaCulinaria Frutos del Guacabo 💧💚

Learn about Australia's Coffee Industry. In this episode I discussed growing coffee in Australia and their new Australian Coffee Growing Manual with two of the industry pioneers Jos Webber & David Peasley. If you ever wanted to know more about your morning coffee or are interested in being a grower. this is an episode for you. listen, learn, enjoy Cheers David AgriFutures Australia #coffee #agribusiness #farming #farmbusiness #bootsofflogon

2024 Spier Harvest Report: Exceeding Expectations 🍷 The exceptional quality of the 2024 vintage was evident from the very first grape pickings. Our regenerative farming practices ensured resilience against the season’s weather whims, promising a vintage that could surpass even the acclaimed 2015 and 2017 releases. We’re grateful for the collaborative effort of our grape growers, vineyard teams and cellar crews, and all their supportive families, for another standout vintage. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dS3TrdR4

The Frontera Foundation educates the public about how healthy eating and sustainable agriculture go hand in hand. Farmland preservation and management have numerous benefits, such as safeguarding wildlife, preserving our agricultural heritage, and purifying the air and water. Agricultural workers and landscapers are frequently exposed to harmful chemicals. Women with breast cancer are also five to nine times more likely to have pesticide residues in their blood. Moreover, children living in households that use toxic chemicals for ornamental lawn maintenance are at a higher risk of developing leukemia. To avoid these hazards, you can opt for organic food, which has fewer pesticide residues than conventionally grown crops that can damage human health and contribute to contaminated drinking water sources and wildlife extinction. If you want to learn more about this topic, you can visit https://lnkd.in/gZmxVJbN.

Did you know that when you eat meat in Case Dining Hall, the chances are, it was raised right here at #EKU? Through the hard work at Meadowbrook farms, our localized food chain supports sustainable agriculture practices and sets an example for others to follow. In the link below, you can read more about our connections to the agriculture industry and hear from Hunter Quinones, a recent graduate, about his experience! 🐮🥩 🔗: https://lnkd.in/e3ED_g26

Small and mid-sized farms are the biggest investors in our local food systems! We all benefit and win when they prosper, which is why CFSA has been dedicated to advocacy work that protects and promotes healthy and prosperous farms, farmers and communities. We are lucky to have recently added another member to our policy team! Alesia Bock, CFSA NC Policy Specialist, will work to drive CFSA's mission to bring ecologically beneficial and economically just alternatives to today's corporate-dominated agriculture paradigm. We asked Alesia to give us some insight into how she view the importance o CFSA's work in the policy/ag space. What draws you to this work? "CFSA is the sweet spot for my three main passions: organic sustainable agriculture, advocacy for that type of food system in the Farm Bill, and focus on regional food systems that provide healthy food access and education to underserved communities. I believe in CFSA’s mission and vision, and I can’t wait to advocate on your behalf of farmers within in North Carolina." What do you think is the most pressing policy issue facing small and mid-sized farms in the Carolinas today?  "I believe access to land for small, beginning farms is a big concern, and that North Carolina is losing farmland at an alarming rate due to pressure for development and the need for more housing. Once farmland is gone, it is unlikely to come back." How do you think farmers can be most proactive in their political environment to help make change?  "Sharing their stories, advocating with groups like CFSA, and making sure their voices are heard, is critically important."  https://lnkd.in/eKCZ4wsh

I'm excited to be moderating a panel tomorrow for @NationalFamilyFarmCoalition (of which Northeast Organic Farming Association of VT (NOFA-VT) is a member) about how farmers and organizers all around the country are handling record consolidation right now. We'll begin with an intro from 'Barons' author Austin Frerick , who will discuss how a handful of companies, led by massively powerful modern-day “Robber Barons,” have managed to seize control of the food we eat—at the expense of independent farmers, consumers, and the environment.  We'll hear also from amazing farmers and organizers including:  Barb Kalbach from Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI) Duron Chavis from Agrarian Trust Kenya Abraham from Community Farm Alliance It's a time of massive, global corporations seizing all the power they can-- but people everywhere are challenging corporate control by pushing back in their communities and by building visionary alternatives. I'll be sharing our experiences from Vermont, where we've lived through massive corporate consolidation with the abrupt pullout of Horizon when it was acquired by Danone, dramatically impacting small, organic family farmers as well as the communities those farms anchor and feed. Together we can stand up to corporations for people and the planet. Another way is possible. We have folks registered all over the nation and from many other countries already. I hope y'all can join us: whether you're a farmer, or just a person who cares about staying fed and the planet thriving-- if you care about democracy and people and land, if you care about a just future, this is for you! (Link to register in comments.) #justtransition #peopleandplanetoverprofit #vermont

Bees are nature’s tiny, buzzing superheroes. They’re the ultimate workaholics, visiting up to 5,000 flowers a day without a single coffee break. If they had LinkedIn, they’d list skills like “Expert pollinator and honey producer.” 🐝 About one-third of our food depends on bee pollination. No bees means no apples, almonds, blueberries, or even coffee. Imagine waking up without coffee—terrifying, right? 🍏 🍇 ☕ Bees are also environmental influencers, ensuring biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. They make sure our gardens and fields stay vibrant, like eco-friendly Instagrammers promoting lush, green spaces. 💐 Honey, the sweet nectar bees produce, is a natural marvel. It's a delicious sweetener, cough remedy, and skincare product all in one. Honey’s resume would make maple syrup blush. 🍯 🐻 Bees live in highly organized colonies with a queen bee leading, worker bees hustling, and drones doing their thing. Their efficiency is enviable; we’d have four-day workweeks if we were as organized. 📈 However, bees face threats like habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. Imagine working in a constantly moving, poisoned, extreme environment. Tough, right? We must protect their habitats and plant bee-friendly gardens. 🚫 So, next time you see a bee, give it a nod. They’re busy saving the world, one flower at a time. 👋 🐝 #Worldbeeday Cadworks Glasgow MAPP LAH Property Marketing

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