Voices for Agriculture: Solutions from the Land

Few groups helped shape agriculture's role in renewable energy and climate policy quite like Solutions from the Land (SfL).

Ernie Shea, a former CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts, has been the organization's guiding force since SfL was founded as the 25x'25 Alliance. 25x'25 began after the 9/11 terrorist attack, focused on increasing renewable fuels for national security; by 2009, its leaders were looking at climate change and stressed climate policy needs to ensure farmers are productive and profitable.

SfL was formed, which gauged farmers and scientists about ways to use technology to adapt to problems such as shorter planting windows and coping with new pests, as well as improving soil resiliency.

SfL leaders such as Shea, Ohio farmer Fred Yoder, Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser and former California Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura, also a farmer, have been leading messengers for ag production at the annual United Nations Climate Change "Conference of the Parties" (COP) meetings. "We were probably the first people who started using the term climate-smart agriculture," Yoder explains.

Shea adds that his farmer leaders positioned climate-smart agriculture as a way for farmers globally to become more resilient. The strategy has been increasingly embraced by more environmental groups. "We've always been way out ahead because of our farmers," Shea says. "They aren't afraid to color outside the lines and go beyond where current farm organizations are. ... We take a much longer view and are trying to reposition the core function of agriculture where ag is seen as a solution to these megachallenges."

Shea sees more younger farmers looking for opportunities in developing climate-smart tools going forward. "We have a new generation of people who are bright and not just trying to get by," he says. "There are a lot of challenges, but on balance, I'm very encouraged about the future."

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-- https://solutionsfromtheland.org/…

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