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With livestock prices falling and food banks in need, ag producers find new ways to share

Johnathan Hettinger

May 14, 2020 |

Montana Free Press |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Montana

Farmers and ranchers across Montana are finding ways to share their products locally during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen livestock prices fall and food banks face higher demand. While some agricultural producers are looking to get their livestock in the hands of consumers at local markets, there are a limited number of in-state cattle and hog processors. For one rancher, he gathered other local ranchers to donate more than 20 animals to be locally butchered for donations to local food banks.

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Pastured Meat Producers are Facing Catastrophic Losses. These Efforts Could Help Them Weather the Pandemic.

Lynne Curry

March 31, 2020 |

Civil Eats |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Hampshire

Small-scale livestock producers and farmers are facing dire economic consequences from the coronavirus pandemic, so many are turning to a collective approach to help one another out. From home-delivery services to pivoting to online sales, farmers across the nation are testing out different models to survive the economic downturn.

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In Kenya, herders turn an invasive cactus into biofuel

Robert Kibet

March 12, 2020 |

Deutsche Welle (DW) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Laikipia County

The invasive prickly pear cactus is spreading over grazing lands in Kenya and is harming herders’ livestock. So a local environmental science graduate is testing a system to turn the cacti into biogas. While the system can be expensive to install, the gas can be used for cooking and fertilizer, which can free up time for pastoralists and reduce the amount of firewood used. The graduate is training eight women’ groups to use the system.

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Montana's Grand Prairie Experiment

Jake Bullinger

February 21, 2020 |

Bitterroot |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Malta, Montana

According to the WWF, 69 percent of the Northern Great Plains remains untilled, providing great opportunity for making sure that land remains untouched. Two conservation organizations, the Nature Conservancy and the American Prairie Reserve, are butting heads as they both try to preserve the land, albeit via different means. Although they both face opposition for their methods, this article lays out exactly how both have already managed to make great strides in conserving the land and increasing biodiversity.

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Struggling Wisconsin dairy farmers building a future with hazelnuts, specialty milk, goats and creative thinking

Rick Barrett

February 18, 2020 |

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Wisconsin

Facing environmental issues, changing consumer tastes, corporate mega-farms, and more, small dairy farmers in Wisconsin are quickly adapting their business models to stay afloat. This article looks at a number of solutions that farmers have taken across the state, such as switching to goat milk, growing hazelnuts, renting out barns, or even changing products entirely to wine or olive oil. All of the solutions show that dairy farmers have to be creative and adaptable in order to keep up with the future of farming.

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Young farmers apply ancient agroforestry practices in the heart of Sardinia

Monica Pelliccia

January 29, 2020 |

Mongabay |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Italy, Desulo, Sardinia

Sardinia's vast forests are seeing the comeback of an ancient farming practice known as silvopasture which has potential as a climate solution. The ancient technique combines trees with forage plants and livestock and even results in uniquely flavored cheese. The technique has also kept people from leaving the countryside in search of jobs, allowing the next generation to carry on the family business while simultaneously combatting climate change.

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Why this farmer moves his cows every day

Hannah Long-Higgins

December 10, 2019 |

BBC |

Video |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Bluffton, Georgia

Pastures are able to replenish when livestock can move around. By permitting cattle to travel between pastures for feeding, Will Harris’ ranching technique allows the soil to retain more carbon. The carbon captured by the healthier soil also helps to offset the emissions caused by livestock production.

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How a closed-door meeting shows farmers are waking up on climate change

Helena Bottemiller Evich

December 09, 2019 |

Politico |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

As the agriculture industry faces crop and profit loss due to catastrophic weather events, many farmers and ranchers are being catalysts for conversations with politicians, scientists, and environmental groups about how to combat the effects of climate change. Throughout the United States, key stakeholders in the food supply chain have formed working groups to discuss climate change and how their industry can work together to improve soil health and sequester carbon. While there are some who are not supportive of these efforts, there is a growing consensus around the importance of having these discussions.

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Denmark Raises Antibiotic-Free Pigs. Why Can't the U.S.?

Andrew Jacobs

December 06, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Denmark, Billund

In the United States, the use of antibiotics in livestock operations has become relatively standard, but a practice in Denmark is proving that antibiotics aren't necessarily crucial to the process. Although not all buy into this practice, one veterinarian has stated that “by changing the way farmers raise their animals, Denmark has shown that you can substantially reduce antimicrobial use in pig production and that it can be done without any long-term impact on productivity.”

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Small Farms and Community Markets Create Space for Revitalization

Violet Baron

December 04, 2019 |

Indiana Environmental Reporter |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Orleans, Indiana

Small farmers in Indiana are working together to "manage the spaces they share, and to use those resources to improve their community by growing healthy food, and distributing that food to the people around them." Although the efforts started with a retiree population, young adults are now joining in, and the coop is gaining attention from economists and universities.

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