Sustainability

  • Two people in safety suits kneel in front of a machine with tubes
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    Courtesy of Windfall Bio
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: Amazon-backed Windfall Bio hits commercial milestone for methane-eating microbes

    Also in this week's farm technology news: Syngenta to speed up biostimulant development with AI, and Pilgrim's Pride expands its renewable gas efforts at a South Carolina plant.

    By • Jan. 17, 2025
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle invests to reduce methane emissions from cows

    The restaurant chain's venture fund is also backing efforts to produce plant-based meat from duckweed.

    By • Jan. 15, 2025
  • Guardian Agriculture's SC1 eVTOL sprays crops in California. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Courtesy of Guardian Agriculture
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Agriculture Dive

    Declining farm income and other production challenges have pushed farmers to rethink their operations and adopt new technology in a bid to diversify potential revenue streams. 

    By Agriculture Dive staff
  • An excavator pushing a muddy pile onto agricultural land.
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    The image by Sustainable Sanitation Alliance is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    EPA warns PFAS in biosolid fertilizers could pose health risks

    The agency said farmers could be at risk due to the chemicals leaching into food and water in its draft risk assessment, now open for comment. 

    By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 15, 2025
  • Corn is seen with an ethanol plant in the background.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    USDA invests $180M in biofuels and clean energy projects

    The Biden administration has doled out $3.3 billion to expand solar, wind and biofuels infrastructure across rural America.

    By • Jan. 13, 2025
  • Wind turbines spin over a field of canola, also called rapeseed, at a wind park on May 10, 2023 near Pinnow, Germany.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: Bayer, European refinery to scale US biofuel production

    Also in this week's farm technology news: Inari raised $144 million to bring gene-edited seeds to market and an Israel-based startup looks to develop its computer vision technology for horticulture.

    By • Jan. 10, 2025
  • Farm equipment sits in a field
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    5 agriculture trends to watch in 2025

    It could be a tumultuous year for farmers with experts predicting low commodity prices, extreme weather events and changes in food policy to reshape industry priorities.

    By , • Jan. 8, 2025
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    Permission granted by Mark Easter
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    Q&A

    Food’s guide to shrinking the climate crisis: Q&A with Mark Easter

    The researcher at Colorado State University examines the environmental impact of the U.S. food system, one crop at a time.

    By David Silverberg • Jan. 2, 2025
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    Kent Nishimura via Getty Images
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    Farm bill extended in last minute funding deal: What to know

    The final agreement is set to provide farmers with $10 billion in one-time economic payments to offset income losses.

    By • Dec. 21, 2024
  • Towers of lettuce are seen in a white room
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    Courtesy of Plenty
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: Plenty closes flagship indoor lettuce farm in California

    Also in this week's farm technology news: Growers Edge acquires fintech to help lenders better assess climate risks on farms, and Sound Agriculture raises $25 million for sustainable fertilizer solutions.

    By • Dec. 20, 2024
  • U.S. Forest Service firefighters battle the Angeles Crest Station Fire.
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    Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
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    US Forest Service to launch national apprenticeship program

    The new initiative with Institute for Workplace Skills & Innovation America is intended to address workforce gaps and create career paths for diverse communities.

    By Carolyn Crist • Dec. 19, 2024
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Another farm bill extension is inevitable. But can farmers still get economic relief?

    House Republicans proposed $10 billion in one-time payments to offset financial losses in the agricultural sector.

    By • Updated Dec. 18, 2024
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    Leon Neal via Getty Images
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    Dole pushes back at plan for landfill near Hawai’i pineapple plantation

    The produce giant said it was worried the proposal could impact farming operations in the state.

    By • Dec. 17, 2024
  • Cans of jackfruit are displayed on a shelf
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    Leon Neal via Getty Images
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    Jackfruit rises in popularity as plant-based meat alternative

    The hefty, meaty fruit native to South Asia is gaining traction among consumers and CPGs. 

    By Jesse Klein • Dec. 17, 2024
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    Courtesy of Divert
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    Biogas investment tax credit finalized with favorable language for RNG

    The final rule clarifies who can participate in a lucrative credit program for clean energy investments. Developers are expected to rush to qualify before the end of the year.

    By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 16, 2024
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    AgroLiquid acquires Monty’s Plant Food to expand sustainable crop nutrition

    The deal allows the liquid fertilizer company to move into soil health markets.

    By • Dec. 13, 2024
  • A stack of chocolate made without cacao beans by Voyage Foods
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    Courtesy of Voyage Foods
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    Opinion

    Where is the food tech sector headed? Cocoa and coffee alternatives provide a clue

    As alternatives to commodities gain traction, companies can create opportunities for investment in both alternative and incumbent solutions, the head of climate tech at J.P. Morgan writes.

    By Kelly Belcher • Dec. 12, 2024
  • A farmer with his back to the camera is seen standing in a field
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    Mary Salen via Getty Images
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    Farm conservation funding hit a record high in 2024. A majority of farmers still got nothing.

    Close to two-thirds of applicants for the USDA’s flagship climate programs were rejected despite increased investment from the Inflation Reduction Act.

    By • Dec. 11, 2024
  • A close up of a potato harvester is seen
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    Courtesy of Ahold Delhaize USA
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    Campbell’s launches regenerative agriculture pilot for potatoes with grocer Ahold Delhaize

    The Stop & Shop owner has worked with some of the largest food companies to transform supply chains for well-known brands.

    By • Dec. 10, 2024
  • Cadbury Chocolate easter eggs in Birmingham, England
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    Graeme Robertson via Getty Images
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    Mondelēz VC arm invests in cocoa-tech company Celleste Bio

    The Cadbury and Toblerone maker was among the investors who participated in a $4.5 million financing round for the developer of cell-cultured cocoa.

    By Christopher Doering • Dec. 9, 2024
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    fcafotodigital via Getty Images
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    Macadamia mania descends upon the US

    The seed has grown in popularity among consumers looking for healthier snacks, with increased demands for sustainability transforming the way the crop is grown.

    By Jennifer Lawinski • Dec. 6, 2024
  • An array of solar panels stands on a farm
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    Robert Nickelsberg via Getty Images
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    US agriculture has the potential to be greenhouse gas negative. Here’s how.

    The biggest opportunity to reduce emissions is also one of the easiest for farmers, according to a new study.

    By • Dec. 3, 2024
  • People are reflected in a puddle outside the COP29 conference venue
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Key takeaways from COP29: a contentious finance deal, carbon markets, more

    The annual climate summit also set up a “loss and damage fund” for vulnerable nations, which advocates say should prioritize agriculture.

    By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 3, 2024
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    Zoya2222 via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Critical benefits of regenerative agriculture are flying under the radar

    Sustainable farming practices can do more than just address climate challenges, writes Bayer's Leo Bastos.

    By Leo Bastos • Dec. 2, 2024
  • Brooke Rollins
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Who is Brooke Rollins? What to know about Trump’s pick to lead USDA

    The conservative lawyer is CEO of right-wing think tank America First Policy Institute, which is poised to exert enormous influence in the president-elect's second term.

    By • Nov. 25, 2024
  • A close up of a man standing in a field looking at his phone
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    Courtesy of Syngenta
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: Indigo Ag, Truterra partner to get more farmers enrolled in sustainability programs

    Also in this week's farm technology news: Almanac buys assets of shuttered startup Gro Intelligence, and Bayer teams with Orbia Netafim to develop a digital platform for fruit and vegetable growers.

    By • Nov. 22, 2024