Climate Systems Solutions’ Post

Last week we teamed up with Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, along with Feeding Pennsylvania, for the first “Connecting Farmers & Food Banks” panel discussion. We explored how state and federal agricultural programs can boost Pennsylvania’s food system by supporting farmers and producers while tackling food insecurity in our communities. Through programs like the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) and Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA), farmers can overcome common supply chain challenges to ensure they are getting fairly paid for the food they grow and that fresh food is making its way to folks who need it. Swipe to hear how PA farmers have benefited from programs like PASS and LFPA. ➡️ Following the event, Pasa Executive Director, Hannah Smith-Brubaker shared: “We believe attendees left feeling connected with peers, informed about potential opportunities, and inspired to create new distribution channels and partnerships to strengthen local and regional food systems." If you’re a farmer or producer curious about opportunities to achieve this mission, reach out to Tom Mainzer, Director of Agricultural Partnerships at Feeding Pennsylvania, at [email protected]. . . . #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood #knowyourfarmerknowyourfood # regenerativeagriculture #farmtotable #smallscalefarming #localfarmers #regenerativefarming #locallygrown #supportlocalfarmers #farmtofork #foodjustice #fodsovereignty #foodsecurity

Great article in farmers guide on the benefits of managing crust on covered slurry lagoons

What's the "fuzz" all about? Out and about throughout the garden state visiting farmers and their bountiful harvest. Today's journey is all about the peaches 🍑 in Mullica Hill, NJ. I purchased Jersey grown white and yellow peaches from Tom Holtzhauser @holtzhauserfarm. According to NJ Department of Agriculture, New Jersey is one of the nations top growers of peaches, ranking 3rd in the US. They are typically harvested from July-September. Knowing where your food is grown and how it gets to your plate is knowledge we all need to seize. Minimizing our carbon footprint, supporting local growers and purchasing the best fresh foods in season is a sustainable option that is worthy of my time and dollars. You too can search out farmers growing produce right here in NJ. @https://lnkd.in/g-6pHajj for a list of farmer's and producers near you. #peaches #purchasefruitinseason #peach #sustainable #foodforthought

Full circle citrus! If you liked the “teaser” vids of cows eating citrus, you’re gonna love this podcast episode. Learn how the two worlds of citrus and cattle beef meet with Derek Lange and his passion for raising beef.

Spring-calved dairy cows are preparing for a well-deserved break, and the drying-off process is well underway. When choosing paddocks for the dry-off period, what should we consider? 1. Condition score paddocks on farm and opt for paddocks that will, next spring, require ‘grass-to-grass’ renovation or go through a summer crop. More information about paddock condition scoring can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gjbkF5-V 2. Older paddocks that contain lower-quality grass species help dry cows off by reducing intake of energy and protein. 3. Choose paddocks well away from the milking shed, minimising the risk of the sight and sounds of the shed stimulating milk let down. 4. Select free draining paddocks to keep cows dry and comfortable through dry off. 5. Don’t dry cows off in paddocks that contain potentially toxic weed species. 6. Avoid dung-contaminated areas where other dry cows were dried off earlier in the autumn. 7. Water troughs must keep up with dry cow demand. Water requirements can be high when cows are fed high dry matter percentage, poorer quality hay, straw, baleage and low quality pastures through the dry off process.

Celebrating National Farmers Day: Honoring the Backbone of Our Food System Tomorrow, October 12, is National Farmers Day! It is the opportunity for all of us to recognize the hardworking people that are the backbone of our global food supply chain: farmers. They grow the food, commodities, and raw materials that sustain us, from local produce to large-scale agricultural crops. Without their dedication, our access to fresh and nutritious food would be far more uncertain.    Honor farmers by showing your appreciation to the people who put food on our tables.  Here are a few ways you can celebrate National Farmers Day:   Support Local Farmers Markets: Buying fresh produce directly from farmers at local markets is a great way to contribute to their livelihoods. You not only get access to fresh, seasonal produce, but you also strengthen your local economy and reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transport. Visit a Farm: Many farms have festivals this time of year, they offer tours or even volunteer opportunities. Visiting a farm allows you to gain a greater appreciation for the hard work that it is required to feed this great nation.  It's a chance to learn about the challenges farmers face and how modern agriculture impacts the environment and our food supply. Thank a Farmer:  A simple gesture can mean a lot.   Thank a local farmer in person, write a note, or you can share your appreciation on social media.  Acknowledgment of their hard work can go a long way in showing how much they are valued.

Celebrating National Farmers Day: Honoring the Backbone of Our Food System Tomorrow, October 12, is National Farmers Day! It is the opportunity for all of us to recognize the hardworking people that are the backbone of our global food supply chain: farmers. They grow the food, commodities, and raw materials that sustain us, from local produce to large-scale agricultural crops. Without their dedication, our access to fresh and nutritious food would be far more uncertain.    Honor farmers by showing your appreciation to the people who put food on our tables.  Here are a few ways you can celebrate National Farmers Day:   Support Local Farmers Markets: Buying fresh produce directly from farmers at local markets is a great way to contribute to their livelihoods. You not only get access to fresh, seasonal produce, but you also strengthen your local economy and reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transport. Visit a Farm: Many farms have festivals this time of year, they offer tours or even volunteer opportunities. Visiting a farm allows you to gain a greater appreciation for the hard work that it is required to feed this great nation.  It's a chance to learn about the challenges farmers face and how modern agriculture impacts the environment and our food supply. Thank a Farmer:  A simple gesture can mean a lot.   Thank a local farmer in person, write a note, or you can share your appreciation on social media.  Acknowledgment of their hard work can go a long way in showing how much they are valued.

For those who care about the food they eat, how it’s farmed, and its impact on the planet—we’ve got your eggs. Laid by the Ohio “girls next door,” our midwestern eggs are a true reflection of our values. 🥚 At Outward Farms, we do things a little differently. While our barns and egg processing facilities may be small, they’re built with a big purpose: prioritizing the well-being of our hens and taking a stand for environmental stewardship. This dedication has allowed us to maintain a surprisingly small carbon footprint while creating a workplace that is second-to-none for our team. 🌍 But we’re not stopping there. As a leader in the specialty egg market, we’re committed to modeling sustainability in every aspect of our operations and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in ethical farming. Our vision is to set new standards in the industry—where small-scale farming doesn’t just compete with larger operations but leads the way in innovation and sustainability. Our family's German roots taught us a lot about egg farming, but we also embrace modern food safety standards. That's why we wash our eggs in our USDA Certified Organic processing plant using organically approved egg wash soap. Join us as we continue to grow, innovate, and lead by example, showing that responsible farming is not just a trend but the future. 🌱https://lnkd.in/e2vwagCr #OutwardFarms #Sustainability #EthicalFarming #LeadershipInAgriculture #EnvironmentalStewardship #MidwesternValues

Grateful to have been part of the insightful National Policy Consultation on "Fruit and Vegetable Food Safety: Evidence to Support Policy Action," organized by Agriculture and Forestry University and Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Safety, in collaboration with NEFOSTA. While discussions primarily emphasized the need to reduce microbial contamination during production, we believe the risk of microbial contamination at critical points along the supply chain due to poor handling, use of dirty and contaminated crates, and open unhygienic display of fresh produce, must also be addressed comprehensively. Ensuring access to safe food isn't just about safe production; it encompasses safe handling, packaging, transportation, distribution, and sales. We look forward to collaborative efforts that holistically tackle these challenges for a safer and healthier food ecosystem. #posthavestmanagement #foodsystemtransformation #foodsafety #safefood