U.S. Farmers lead the way in sustainability

By Andi Anderson

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall recently met with European Union (EU) officials to share the sustainability achievements of U.S. agriculture.

As part of the U.S. Sustainability Alliance, this meeting aimed to highlight the efforts of American farmers, fishermen, and foresters in advancing sustainable practices.

“We met with them because agriculture in the United States has a great story to tell about the advancements in sustainability,” said Duvall. “American agriculture represents less than 10% of all the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, which is much lower than the global average. Representatives from several European countries were here to learn more about the U.S. government's role in advancing sustainability.”

Duvall also stressed the importance of treating farmers as partners rather than imposing restrictive mandates. He highlighted that more than 300 million acres of U.S. farmland are voluntarily dedicated to climate-smart practices such as cover crops and no-till or minimum-till methods.

These successes, according to Duvall, are largely due to voluntary, incentive-based programs that consider regional differences in agriculture, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.

Engaging with the international community is essential for farmers, Duvall said, especially to promote science-based global standards.

“We've already seen how mandates from other countries can impact U.S. agriculture. Additionally, as we pursue new trade opportunities, we want to make sure that the EU nations understand just how much progress American farmers have made on sustainability efforts.” said Duvall.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev