Sophie Egan

As an evidence-based organization, monitoring, evaluating and learning is central to our work. But what do we mean when we say impact? How do we measure it? At the Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU), we track the progress of our initiatives in…. 🔟 Advancing 10 critical #FoodSystems transitions  ⏩ Accelerating positive tipping points  🥗 Changing behaviours  🔓 Unlocking bottlenecks  🔊 Communicating evidence Browse our Phase II Impact report to learn more 👇 https://lnkd.in/dxZAfN6Z

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It is the balance between emissions and productivity that is key. Researchers also note that the greatest greenhouse gas reductions—more than half—could be realized by changes to grazing and pasture management. To achieve this impact expanded MRV is vital so producers can actively manage the emissions derived from grazing systems. For adoption to be feasible the focus needs to include methane intensity rather than just methane emissions per day. This is vital to ensure that food production, producer livelihoods, and food security are not compromised when implementing climate friendly solutions.

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AgTech Ecosystem - looking forward to joining Renée Vassilos (Director of Agriculture Innovation for The Nature Conservancy), Charlie Andersen (CEO of Burro), Michael Roth (Director of Conservation and Innovation - PA Dept of Agriculture), and Fred Slezak of Lone Maple Farm tomorrow at the Ag and Robotics Summit in Pittsburgh. It's day 1 of the Summit, and we'll help kick things off on the opening night with the panel leading right into the reception. The topic will be Ag Robotics - what will drive it and what are some of the macro trends? Renee has the moderator chair. Charlie brings the perspective of a successful specialty crop AgTech automation startup that is starting to achieve scale - and he's been at the front on this journey as founder and CEO. Michael will bring the perspective of the PA Department of Ag and the role the state can play in facilitating innovation. Fred brings the most important role - the grower using the AgTech. I bring the specialty crop automation topic to the table, and for specialty crops it's all about getting more of the key labor task areas automated with economics that work for the grower. At the moment, things look good for weeding, thinning, spraying, planting, and harvest assist. On the not so good side - harvest will still be a while. On the emerging front, AI is accelerating a lot of development work for AgTech startups and the massive data sets the robots are capturing will help the acceleration even more once we figure out how to make it all interoperable. Thanks to Maialen CAZENAVE and Gwendoline Legrand, our FIRA USA partners at GOFAR (Global Organization for Agricultural Robotics), for helping to organize and promote the event. It will be a fun couple of days at the Robotics Factory! (Did I mention FIRA USA will be Oct 22-24 in Sacramento/Davis?) #agtech #robotics #carnegiemellon https://lnkd.in/gzGZEqzh

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Successful businesses can grow out of supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs), so what do FFA members do when they need more capital to continue their enterprise? Recognizing the power of FFA members' SAEs, in 2023, donors Shorty and Ro Whittington provided a lead gift to launch the FFA Venture Capital Fund. Read more in this article I wrote for the most recent National FFA Annual Report: “THE KIND OF SEED THAT WE WANT TO PLANT” https://lnkd.in/g7-aJZ4c

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The U.S. #greenhouse food production market is expanding, with several key food groups and areas seeing outsized growth. Here are a few takeaways from the recent webinar:

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Vimbayi Chimonyo, these are timely discussions and coming just before this year's #WorldFoodDay being celebrated under the theme “Right to foods for a better life and a better future”. The science advocacy to promote #underutilisedcrops is now more urgent than ever as extreme weather events and climate change continue pushing people into #hunger, #poverty and widening #inequalities. Solutions are needed now to #transform the #foodsystem to become more #equitable, #inclusive, #resilient and #healthy. In this regard, underutilised crops are indeed #opportunitycrops for food systems transformation. WRC South Africa, Luxon Nhamo, Professor Sylvester Mpandeli, Festo Massawe, Sayed Azam-Ali, OBE, Sieglinde Snapp, Professor Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, ARUA-SFS (ARUA CoE in Sustainable Food Systems), Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, Institute of Natural Resources NPC, Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA)

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The Innovation, Research, Extension, and Advisory Coordination Hub (iREACH) in West Africa (WA) is an ambitious initiative led by CORAF | West and Central Africa for Agricultural Research and Development and Kansas State University College of Agriculture. The mission is to revolutionize agricultural research, extension, and advisory services across West and Central Africa, starting with USAID-funded research activities and other CORAF projects such as #FSRP and #TARPro. Active in 9 countries, #iREACH has established 10 agricultural technology parks, demonstrating over 400 innovative solutions. Watch how this USAID-funded project organized 38 agricultural technology demonstration days, attracting over 2,500 participants, 36% of whom were women. By strengthening partnerships, involving 36 organizations, and training over 680 people, iREACH is paving the way for sustainable and resilient agriculture. This video shows the significant impact this project has had on farmers, researchers, and policy-makers in the region. #CORAF #FSRP_WestAfrica #CatalyzingInnovations #agriculture #TechnoPark #Innovations #ClimateAction #Foodsecurity

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UC RIVERSIDE: Bold moves needed for California agriculture UC report details farming’s needs for climate resilience By David Danelski, UC Riverside California should take urgent and bold measures to adapt its $59 billion agriculture sector to climate change as the amount of water available for crops declines, according to a collaborative report by University of California faculty from four campuses. #Agriculture #Climatechange #Climatechangeadaptation #Groundwaterrecharge

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How long will it take other states to wake up and test? Until the true prevalence is known we will not have a fact based understanding of how to prevent, manage and control this disease. Negligence on the part of state and industry decision makers. A good lesson in recognizing the difference between being in charge and being a leader. #leadershipmatters #bekind #H5N1

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#RegenerativeAgriculture is gaining traction. Having grown up on a farm, I'm all for it. Will this new collaborative endeavour bear significant tangible outcomes? I'm hopeful yet key decisions/steps in the #food #valuechain must be revisited/reimagined to preserve and leverage the full benefits of RA and truly support and recognize the hard work of #farmers and #producers. #foodmarketing #foodretailing

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🔊Attention food sector leaders! In our latest blog post, "Food for Thought," written by Larissa Araripe Rand we delve into the pressing climate crisis within the food sector. We discuss the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address this issue, especially for farmers who are on the front lines of climate-induced challenges. 🌍🌿 Better Future calls for industry-wide collaboration to effectively tackle climate challenges. Together, we can create a better, more sustainable future for all. Read the full article through the following link: https://lnkd.in/ed2sSGn3 👀 #betterfuture #sustainability #leadership #strategy #impact #foodsector #climatechange #climatecrisis

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In a recent webinar, the third in our "Agroecology Economies" series, we joined grantee partners and allies to discuss the topic of commercialization networks as a necessity for guaranteeing healthy foods. The webinar demonstrated that strengthened and equitable commercialization networks are fundamental to producers’ organizations to scale up #agroecology and to ensure the right to healthy food for all people. It also demonstrated the role that public policies and programs must play in reshaping food systems. These initiatives, most with support from Agroecology Fund, show their power to weave a social fabric and strengthen territorial identity, generating creative solutions for resilient supply chains and healthy food. Read a full overview of the conversation and access the recording ⬇ https://lnkd.in/gYwAZv73

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"In reflection on these insights from the FSRC Summit, several key implications emerge for food systems researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. There is an acute need to: - Embrace community-based participatory research methods to ensure research is relevant, equitable, and actionable. - Prioritize equity and lived experience in all food systems initiatives, from research design to policy implementation, especially for those who have been subjected to discrimination. - Invest in regional governance structures and projects that can bridge local and national efforts while fostering a sense of shared identity and purpose. - Critically examine and strategically shape narratives about food systems, with a focus on those that drive structural transformation. - Use institutional procurement as a lever for broader food system transformation, addressing issues of land equity, conservation, and economic development. - Develop integrated approaches that combine community-based participatory research, regional governance, equity-focused initiatives, and powerful narratives to drive systemic change. Embracing these and integrated approaches will allow the work towards food systems that are more resilient and sustainable as well as just and equitable for all to flourish." Read the full write up from Karen Nordstrom, Policy Program Co-Director, FSNE.

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This week in Fodder: 🐛 Demystifying food systems transformation 🌻 Accounting for diversity of practices in conservation agriculture 💻 What do agroecological farmers think about agritech? 📢 Farmers Protest, Who Gains? And more: https://lnkd.in/gdn5PBX2

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If you are trying to understand climate and investment in agriculture, I recommend you read Emily Bass and Alex Smith's recent report on GHG, Agriculture, and R&D investment. When you add the health benefits of food, climate and health, and the GDP impact of US technology exports, it is worth thinking about how an order of magnitude increase of public and private investment may improve climate, health, and GDP. And may serve as a hedge in global stability.

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#RES_Focus Title：Sustainably feeding the planet through integrated management of blue and green food systems Authors：Jeff Opperman, Nathan Bennett, Henry H. Hansen, Brent Loken, Mesfin Mergia Mekonnen Abstract： Blue and green food systems share key resources—water, nutrients, and sediment—that move between land, freshwater, and oceans. However, these systems are generally managed separately, potentially negatively impacting food production and the environment. Managing blue and green foods as integrated systems is central to feeding the world healthy and sustainable food.   Source：One Earth DOI：https://lnkd.in/e4UfnNzj #Sustainably #feed #management #bluefood #greenfood #foodsystems

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AIM for Scale: Addressing impacts of #climate change on #agriculture In this in-depth Q&A, Daniel Otunge sat down with Dr. Enock Chikava, Director of Agricultural Delivery Systems at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to seek his insights into the impact of climate change on smallholder farming and Food systems in #Africa in the context of the just concluded COP29. ➡️ Read More 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d-9KXvEj

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