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Market analysis by EDF finds strong demand for lending products that support farmers’ transition to soil health practices.

EDF report finds that 90% of Iowa farmers believe soil health practices improve long-term profitability and tests ways to support the transition.

A report released by a subcommittee of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission examines the threat that increasingly extreme and volatile weather poses to the stability of financial markets, including U.S. agricultural markets. Representatives from EDF served on the 35-member panel.

EDF has created an interactive Microsoft Excel© spreadsheet outlining the six-year enterprise transition budget for a corn-soybean operation for use by farmers, lenders and other farm financial partners. The spreadsheet uses Iowa State University’s 2021 annual production cost budgets and adjusts based on PFI’s no-till and cover crop cost, cost savings and new revenue survey results.

AB 252, a bill to create a new program to help rural communities adapt to more sustainable groundwater use, advanced to the California Senate for a vote.

Carbon credits are just one tool in a portfolio of financial solutions that farmers and lenders should explore. The post What agricultural lenders need to know about emerging carbon market opportunities first appeared on Growing Returns.

Until high-quality standards are established for agricultural soil carbon credits, companies should pursue other opportunities to reduce emissions.

Guidelines for high-quality credits are essential, and the stakes for climate change and farmers are extremely high. The post Quick action needed to achieve full mitigation potential of soil carbon credits first appeared on Growing Returns.

Credits for soil carbon sequestration lack comparability and consistency. EDF and the Woodwell Climate Research Center reviewed the 12 published protocols used to generate soil carbon credits through carbon sequestration in croplands.

EDF's review of credit protocols found inconsistencies with measurement, reporting and verification of net climate impact.

There's an often overlooked, invisible source of climate pollution lurking in the supply chain: methane. The post To meet sustainability goals, food companies need to slash methane first appeared on Growing Returns.

EDF statement from Elizabeth Gore, senior vice president, Political Affairs

Three recent wins for agricultural climate solutions you may have missed in the news. The post 3 recent USDA wins and what the department should do next first appeared on Growing Returns.

It’s time for agricultural business and financial leaders to respond quickly to meet the needs of farming for the future. The post What does the executive order on climate-related risk mean for agricultural finance? first appeared on Growing Returns.

Three key insights from five years of farm data. The post How a data-driven approach makes profitable on-farm conservation possible first appeared on Growing Returns.

Accurate and abundant data is a constant need for farmers and companies to change the way they operate, and conservation practices are no exception. The post How financial data can bridge the investment gap to scale soil health first appeared on Growing Returns.

Executive-level engagement on climate resilience will be essential for agricultural lenders to meet the needs of farmers and seize opportunities to benefit their borrowers. The post Farm Credit CEOs discuss emerging opportunities to finance resilient agriculture first appeared on Growing Returns.

Here are four ways that USDA can move forward on a carbon bank, even in the face of uncertainty, to leverage the power of farms and forests to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The post How USDA can leverage a carbon bank for farmers, foresters and the climate first appeared on Growing Returns.

This report provides context-based solutions to move the food and agriculture industry farther along on sustainability.

Companies and their suppliers need to make strategic changes to their supply chains to build resilience in the face of climate change.

Guided by science, USDA can help harness the power of farms and forests to build climate resilience for all. The post Top 5 priorities for USDA to support climate-smart farms and forests first appeared on Growing Returns.

We have no time to waste in setting America’s agricultural economy on a sustainable path. EDF outlines several recommendations for the USDA.

EDF statement from Callie Eideberg, director of agricultural policy

EDF responds to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack's request for public input on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy.

Why both sides of the aisle, along with farmers and environmentalists, see such potential for agricultural climate solutions. The post 3 ways the Growing Climate Solutions Act will help farmers and rural communities thrive first appeared on Growing Returns.