Lenexa, Kan., (Jan. 22, 2020) — Farm Journal’s Trust In Food initiative announced the Board of Advisers for America’s Conservation Ag Movement, a broad national effort to help farmers, ranchers and growers continue their journey to conserve our shared natural resources and promote sustainable food production. Additionally, special annual reports on the state of conservation in agriculture and food production were mailed to nearly 600,000 farmers, ranchers, growers and ag influencers at the beginning of the year.
America’s Conservation Ag Movement is a unique partnership among Farm Journal’s Trust In Food initiative, the Farm Journal Foundation and a coalition of conservation-focused nonprofits, leading agribusinesses, farmer associations and food companies. This national education and engagement program is designed to more rapidly scale the adoption, documentation and beneficial outcomes of conservation agriculture and amplify, accelerate and give voice to the many conservation agriculture programs and activities underway across the nation in service to America’s farmers.
Industry leaders serving on America’s Conservation Ag Movement Board of Advisors include:
Jay Vroom, Vroom Leigh Agriculture (Chairman)
Dana Bolden, Senior Vice President External Affairs and Sustainability, Corteva
Hilary Burroughs, Director of Marketing, Sanderson Farms
Neil Caskey, Vice President Communications, National Corn Growers Association
Chris Davison, Business Sustainability, Syngenta
Pipa Elias, Director of Agriculture North America, The Nature Conservancy
Jim Hansen, Associate Director Marketing, Valent U.S.A.
Brett Kaysen, Assistant Vice President Sustainability, National Pork Board
Craig LeSchack, Director of Conservation Operations, Ducks Unlimited
John Piotti, Executive Director, American Farmland Trust
“I am honored to work with this diverse and passionate group of industry leaders to drive this movement forward,” said Jay Vroom, Chairman of the Trust In Food Board of Advisors. “The rich backgrounds, dedication to conservation and industry influence in this group will help America’s Conservation Ag Movement reach every sector of agriculture. We expect this first-of-its-kind initiative to provide new measures of conservation ag outcomes that show how farmers care for the environment and help drive those outcomes to new levels of eco-performance.”
In addition to finalizing the board, at the beginning of 2020, Farm Journal published a special issue – its first-ever annual report on conservation in agriculture. Farm Journal’s produce-industry publication, The Packer, also published a special conservation supplement. These publications reach an audience of more than 1 million in print and digital editions across the value chain. Partnerships with WATT Global Media and Agri-Pulse will expand the report’s distribution to poultry and feed sectors and to policymakers and other influencers, respectively.
In 2020, America’s Conservation Ag Movement’s work with growers, farmers and ranchers will be supported by hundreds of print pages, TV spots and radio segments featuring conservation news coverage that helps tell the story of sustainable food production and its positive impact on soil erosion reduction, carbon sequestration, improved water quality and cleaner air. The program also includes extensive how-to materials and workbooks, the development of peer-to-peer sharing networks in critical watersheds and consumer outreach to help tell the story of modern agriculture.
To learn more, visit TrustInFood.com and AgWeb.com/ACAM.
About Farm Journal
Farm Journal is the nation’s leading business information and media company serving the agricultural market. Started 143 years ago with the preeminent Farm Journal magazine, the company serves the row crop, livestock, produce and retail sectors through branded websites, eNewsletters and phone apps; business magazines; live events including conferences, seminars and tradeshows; nationally broadcast television and radio programs; and an array of data-driven paid information products. Farm Journal also is the majority shareholder of the online equipment marketplace, Machinery Pete LLC. In 2010, Farm Journal established the non-profit, public charity Farm Journal Foundation dedicated to help sustain agriculture’s ability to meet the vital needs of a growing population through education and empowerment.
About Trust In Food
Trust In Food™ is a purpose-driven initiative of Farm Journal dedicated to rebuilding consumer confidence in the U.S. agricultural value chain by partnering with farmers and ranchers to accelerate conservation agriculture practice adoption and maintenance benefiting land, water, air and the financial health of farm businesses. It advances this mission through data science, research, strategic communications and the omnichannel Farm Journal platform in collaboration with conservation organizations, government agencies, agribusinesses, food companies and retailers, and other food system stakeholders.
About Farm Journal Foundation
Farm Journal Foundation (FJF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with the mission of sustaining agriculture’s ability to meet the needs of a growing population. Key issues of the organization include global food security, agriculture research and development and conservation agriculture. To advance these priorities, FJF leverages an integrated advocacy platform comprised of farmers and producers, next generation farmers and national policy makers. For more information, go to farmjournalfoundation.org.