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Two big policy updates for sustainable farmers, Anthropologie will launch a regenerative line of clothing, Alec's Ice Cream! and a regenerative transition saves a farm in North Carolina.
This Week in Regenerative Agriculture
Wednesday, April 3
For the last five months, we’ve been working with Why Regenerative to organize RegenerativeNYC, a conference on April 22, 2024, in New York City for industry professionals, startups, academics, and farmers to engage with the latest developments in the space. Get tickets here.
1. Story From the Field: North Carolina Farm Saved by Regenerative Practice
North Carolina’s no. 1 economic driver is farming but the state ranks second worst in farmland loss. KH Farms, located in Mount Olive, transitioned to regenerative farming and reported a dramatic change, cutting expenses by 30-40 percent and improving the quality of life for both livestock and crops. They now work with the University of Mt. Olive Agriculture and Biological Science Program to help other farmers transition acres. A study from the University of Southern California in Santa Barbara shows a large reduction in water use due to regenerative practices.
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2. Agriculture Appropriations Bill: Mixed Impact on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 allocates $26.23 billion to the USDA and FDA, aiming to address urgent needs while navigating the fiscal caps set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Despite a slight increase in overall funding, the bill makes significant cuts to key programs supporting sustainable agriculture, including a 3 percent reduction in Conservation Technical Assistance and a 28.6 percent cut to the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, reflecting challenges in enhancing on-farm conservation and regenerative practices. The bill also reduces funding for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program by 4 percent and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative by 2.2 percent.
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3. Senators Introduce EMIT LESS Act to Pioneer Methane Emission Reduction in U.S. Livestock Sector
The EMIT LESS Act, a bipartisan legislative effort led by Senators Michael Bennet, Mike Crapo, Tammy Baldwin, and Jerry Moran, aims to curtail methane emissions from dairy and beef cattle by expanding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s focus on methane-reducing practices and products like feed additives. It will also require the USDA to review conservation practice standards that can assist in reducing enteric methane, and amend the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program to provide financial incentives for farmers and ranchers to voluntarily use products and implement practices that reduce methane.
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4. Anthropologie to Launch Regenerative Line
Anthropologie, the American clothing brand, announced a $100,000 donation to the nonprofit group Kiss the Ground. The donation will create in-store initiatives in partnership with Terrain Gardening Stores to educate and involve customers. Anthropologie is set to unveil its first regenerative cotton capsule collection this month. Anthropologie will join Kiss the Ground’s 10K Acres Partners.
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5. Funding Boost for Regenerative Agriculture Practices in Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Farmers in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia are set to receive crucial support for implementing conservation practices through two grants totaling nearly $1 million from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation,, aimed at enhancing water quality and promoting regenerative agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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Venture of the Week
Groundbreaking Organizations.
Alec’s Ice Cream!
Alec’s is the first regenerative organic certified ice cream. The company highlights the benefits of regenerative agriculture from a nutrition and climate standpoint. Some flavors include Mint Chocolate Chip, Sea Salt and Caramel, Honey Blueberry Lavender, and Matcha Chocolate Chip.
alecsicecream.com
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Oh so poetic…
From “The Far Side” by Gary Larsen
This Week In Regenerative Agriculture is published by Why Regenerative. It is compiled by Jackson Baris with ChatGPT and edited by Jeff Stark. Sign up for our newsletter here.