Cox Farms’ Post

From seaweed farming to oyster cultivation, #restorativeaquaculture can create positive environmental outcomes and new economic opportunities for coastal communities. On land, #regenerativeagriculture has gained significant attention for its ability to combat climate change, boost soil health, and enhance food systems resilience. Despite these shared stories of hope, ocean-based food systems and land-based agriculture are often still considered and managed in silos. In a newly published report from Yale Center for Business and the Environment, Violet Low-Beinart and I dug (and dove!) into the “surf to turf” practices that can help bridge this gap and, in doing so, drive deep and meaningful food systems transformation on land and at sea. Through interviews with farmers, scientists, and food systems visionaries over the past two years, we asked questions like: 🌊 How can farmers on land better collaborate better with ocean farmers within coastal foodscapes? 🌱 What regenerative practices can be employed that capture the unique ecological abundance found at the land-sea interface? 🌎  How can policymakers and practitioners take a systems level approach to drive both soil health and ocean health outcomes? The result is an in-depth exploration of historical sea-to-soil connections, examples of these approaches at work today, and opportunities to further bridge land and sea on our journey to build resilient food systems. We are so excited to finally share this with the world, and look forward to hearing your thoughts on the topic! The full report can be accessed at: https://lnkd.in/gdETM-a2 When I started my journey at Yale School of the Environment in 2020, I came in knowing I wanted to explore complex questions in sustainable food systems and agriculture, with a specific lens on the land-sea boundary. I was able to take classes in coastal ecosystems alongside soil science classes, allowing me to bridge disciplines, make new connections, and grapple with “wicked problems.” But it was this project with Yale Center for Business and the Environment that provided the structure and support to dive deeply into these questions and to collaborate with an amazing group of people in the process. I am so grateful to the CBEY team for supporting this project and creating avenues for grad students to engage deeply with the challenging questions facing our agricultural systems today. Many thanks to Tagan Engel, Heather Fitzgerald, Stuart DeCew, Ryan S. Clemens, Ivan Morales for helping bring this project to life, and to the many individuals who contributed their expertise and insights to this project, including (but certainly not limited to!) Anoushka Concepcion, Beth Alaimo, Jennifer Rothman, Jesse Baines, Jonathan McGee, Judiann Carmack-Fayyaz, Krizl S., Samantha Garwin, Stephen Wood, Suzie Flores - thank you!

GOING FULL CIRCLE TO TACKLE AGRICULTURE'S BIGGEST CHALLENGES Our current food system has contributed significantly to enabling urbanisation, improving economic development and supporting a rapidly growing population. However, our reliance on this linear model of food production where resources are extracted to develop products which eventually end up as waste, has come at a detrimental cost to the environment and global food security. For example, it’s been estimated that in linear food systems, an equivalent of six lorries full of edible food is wasted every second. Although not a new concept, circular agriculture has recently emerged as a model of food production which instead looks at regenerating natural systems through a re-use and recycle approach as a means of reducing the accumulation of residual waste. Circular agriculture is primarily built on four principles and involves reducing the use of external inputs, closing nutrient loops, regenerating soils and minimising the impact of food systems on the environment. Developing circular agricultural production systems is a new book from Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing and showcases how to develop circular agricultural production systems, from using crop residues as livestock feed, to producing biogas from livestock manure and manufacturing bio-plastics from agricultural waste. This book is described as a “must have item to anyone concerned with the challenges of developing circular agricultural production systems,” by Pete Smith, Professor of Soils & Global Change at the University of Aberdeen, UK. Read the full Press Release here: https://lnkd.in/em-Nf62S #circularagriculture #circulareconomy #sustainableagriculture

[The Economics of Ecosystems & Biodiversity Project] During this project, I had the opportunity to dive deep into the fascinating world of coffee agriculture. My main focus was researching and collecting data on coffee berry borers (Hypothenemus hampei), pollinators, and overall insect biodiversity within plantation. Understanding the dynamics of pests like the H.hampei and their impact on coffee crops is crucial for implementing effective pest management strategies. By studying their behavior and lifecycle, we can develop sustainable solutions to minimize their damage and protect the quality of coffe beans. Additionally, I explored the vital role of pollinators in coffee production. This little creatures, play significant role in fertilization, ensuring healthy fruit development, and ultimately contributing to higher yields and quality in coffee harvests. The project also provided an opportunity to asses and appreciate the biodiversity of insects within the coffee plantation. By studying and documenting various insect species, we gain valuable insight into the ecological balance that supports coffee cultivation. It was an enlightening experience, combining my passion for agronomy, crop protection, and sustainable farming practices. I'm eager to continue exploring ways to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly practices within the coffee industry. Let's connect and share knowledge about the fascinating world of insects, biodiversity, and coffee farming! #coffee #agriculture #biodiversity #sustainablefarming #ecological #agroforestry #pestmanagement

Vivian Valencia, PhD recently published in the prestigious journal SCIENCE that shows diversified farming is a win for people, planet & profit! Dr. Vivian Valencia, Research Chair in Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Action at Bishop’s University, one of the authors, highlights that the integration of various agricultural strategies, such as mixing livestock with crops, introducing flower strips and trees, alongside water and soil conservation, yields significant positive outcomes. The more diversification measures are combined, the better the results for biodiversity, food security, and social well-being. Dr. Valencia explains that this extensive research contradicts the notion that diversification might compromise yield, showing instead that diversified farms, especially small-scale ones, can actually enhance food security. Read more: https://lnkd.in/evxHjZbJ #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateAction #Biodiversity #FoodSecurity #SocialWellBeing #Agroecology #Diversification #IntegratedFarming #ResearchHighlight #SmallScaleFarming #EnvironmentalConservation #SustainablePractices #AgriculturalStrategies #PositiveOutcomes #ResearchFindings #BishopsUniversity #FarmingCommunity #SupportLocalResearch

Is it possible to grow fresh leafy greens in Alaska all year long? 🏔️🌱 Alaska, known for its breathtaking landscapes and extreme conditions, faces a unique challenge in the realm of agriculture. 🌄 With a growing season lasting merely around 100 days due to its northern latitude, how do Alaskans satisfy the high demand for fresh produce? 🥬 Let’s dig into the innovative solutions emerging from the frozen frontier! 🚀 1. Alaska’s Short Growing Season: 📆 The limited 100-day growing season poses challenges for commercial growers, prompting them to seek creative ways to extend their harvests beyond the summer months. 2. High Demand for Fresh Produce: 🌐 Alaska’s geographic isolation and scarcity of local agriculture lead to a soaring demand for fresh produce. The quest for a sustainable solution has given rise to cutting-edge agricultural practices. 3. Controlled Environment Agriculture: 🌬️🌡️ To overcome the harsh climate, many Alaskan growers turn to controlled environment agriculture, including the revolutionary concept of vertical farming. This method enables them to cultivate crops year-round, meeting the demand for locally grown, fresh produce. 4. Energy-Efficient Practices: 💡 Given Alaska’s high energy costs, commercial growers are embracing energy-efficient practices. This includes leveraging LED lighting and advanced climate control systems to optimize energy consumption while maintaining ideal growing conditions. 5. Innovative Growing Methods: 🚀 Alaska’s agricultural pioneers are known for their trailblazing spirit. Vertical farming, hydroponics, and aquaponics are becoming go-to methods, allowing growers to maximize space and resources in the face of challenging climates. Want to create a perfect environment for your plants and remotely control and monitor it no matter where? Discover GrowDirector 3 PRO!  TAP THE LINK - https://growdirector.com/ 🌿❄️✨  #alaskafarm #alaskafarming #verticalfarming #innovationinagriculture #yearroundharvest #hydroponicfarming #hydroponicfarm #greenhousecontrol #growdirector #growdirector3pro

As we face more extreme weather, the need for crop diversity becomes ever greater. Chen's research highlights the importance of valuing and integrating the knowledge and seeds of smallholder farmers into modern agricultural practices. This shift from a "yield-first" mentality to one that emphasises biodiversity and evolutionary processes is crucial for sustainable agriculture. By supporting and sharing the benefits of seed diversity, we can ensure that both farmers and the global food system are prepared for future challenges. #FoodSecurity #SustainableAgriculture #SeedDiversity #ClimateChange

New research published in the journal Science. Agricultural simplification continues to expand at the expense of more diverse forms of agriculture. This simplification, for example, in the form of intensively managed monocultures, poses a risk to keeping the world within safe and just Earth system boundaries. Here, we estimated how agricultural diversification simultaneously affects social and environmental outcomes. Drawing from 24 studies in 11 countries across 2655 farms, we show how five diversification strategies focusing on livestock, crops, soils, noncrop plantings, and water conservation benefit social (e.g., human well-being, yields, and food security) and environmental (e.g., biodiversity, ecosystem services, and reduced environmental externalities) outcomes. We found that applying multiple diversification strategies creates more positive outcomes than individual management strategies alone. To realize these benefits, well-designed policies are needed to incentivize the adoption of multiple diversification strategies in unison. #agriculturaldiversity #agriculturaldiversification #biodiversity #agriculturalbiodiversity #earthscience #planetaryboundaries #soil #soilquality #soilconservation #globalfoodsecurity #environment #environmental #environmentalpolicy #ecosystems #ecosystemservices #sustainableagriculture #agroforestry #silvopastoralsystems #silvopasture #sustainablelivelihoods

This informative and well written article is worth a read, illuminating connections between the biodiversity crisis, human health, agriculture and economy. Many insect species are in trouble, but they can also respond quickly to better conditions. Let’s lend them a hand! Reducing our dependence on insecticides and investing in regenerative agriculture where we can are important steps on a better path.

On this #INTERNATIONAL_DAY_OF_FORESTS march 21th FAO will launch a new initiative within the #Forest Data Partnership, technologies that improve #forestmonitoring. The newly developed open source solution #WHISP ("WHat IS in that Plot") will play a key role in the process of #tracebility and #transparency for deforestation and conversion-free products, compliance requirement for the #EUDR as it brings together various publicly available data sets, analyses them and creates a table with information on tree population, forest and raw materials for each uploaded field. In addition, WHISP enables the visual interpretation of the data and provides information on the deforestation status for each field recorded. There will be several other panel sessions on Ecosystem Restoration, Indigenous Peoples and #Halting_Deforestation. 21 March How innovation is driving change in forestry | International Day of Forests | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (fao.org) #zerodeforestation

6 Methods you can achieve crop diversification Embracing a variety of crops not only reduces the risk of crop failure but also enhances soil health, supports biodiversity, and boosts overall farm resilience. Here let's explore some exciting crop diversification strategies. 1️⃣ Polyculture Grow multiple crops together in harmony, enhancing productivity and fostering a healthier ecosystem. For instance, pairing legumes with cereals can naturally enrich the soil through nitrogen fixation. 2️⃣ Crop Rotation Plant different crops in sequence on the same land to break pest cycles, improve soil structure, and sustain our fields for generations to come. Example: Maize and beans in rotation. 3️⃣ Intercropping Involves growing two or more crops simultaneously in close proximity. This technique maximizes the efficient use of available resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients. 4️⃣ Cover Crops Cover crops are non-commercial crops planted to protect the soil between main cash crop plantings. They promote soil health, prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and enhance agricultural sustainability. 5️⃣ Cash Crop and Companion Crop The cash crop is our primary player for profit, while the companion crop provides extra benefits. Imagine marigolds with tomatoes, teaming up to fend off pests and attract helpful insects. 6️⃣ Agroforestry Integrates trees with crops, providing shade, windbreaks, and improved soil fertility. It enhances biodiversity, supports sustainable land use, and fosters farm resilience. #cropdiversification #sustainableagriculture #farmresilience #biodiversity #farmingtips #agriculturalinnovation