{"id":1051,"date":"2019-09-10T14:50:41","date_gmt":"2019-09-10T18:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/?p=1051"},"modified":"2021-02-05T11:08:07","modified_gmt":"2021-02-05T16:08:07","slug":"september-2019-esmc-monthly-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/september-2019-esmc-monthly-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"September 2019 ESMC Monthly Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Ecosystem Services Market Consortium <\/strong>Monthly<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0Newsletter – September, 2019\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n
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Our Mission<\/strong>: To advance ecosystem service markets that incentivize farmers and ranchers to improve soil health systems that benefit society.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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ESMC News<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
ESMC Announcements and Activities<\/strong>
\nESMC continues to make progress towards our 2022 launch of a national ecosystem services market place for agriculture, a marketplace built for farmers and ranchers. ESMCs goal is to enroll 30 percent of available land in the top four crop regions and top four pasture regions to impact 250 million acres by 2030.We are pleased to announce that we recently signed a $480,000 cooperative agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), to expand our ecosystem services markets protocols in order to launch pilot projects in four additional regions beyond our first pilot in the Texas\/Oklahoma Southern Great Plains. Under the NRCS cooperative agreement, ESMC’s members and Steering Committee will identify four additional regions and agricultural production systems for study, evaluation and development of systems-based protocols to quantify ecosystem impacts including soil organic carbon, greenhouse gas emissions, water quality and water use efficiency.<\/p>\n

Additionally, we are grateful to announce a $255,500 award from the United Soybean Board (USB) to help develop an ecosystem service protocol for the Soy and Corn Belt. Through the partnership, ESMC will work with soybean farmers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio in a pilot project covering 50,000 acres.<\/p>\n

We are excited about the progress we are making with our first project in the Southern Great Plains, and with the additional support from NRCS and USB we can now expand to additional production systems and areas.<\/p>\n

We have also been working since our August kick-off meeting with members to further organize working groups to help achieve the necessary outcomes to support the 2022 national launch. That includes seeking nominations for science advisors to participate in working groups, and delineating working group focus areas, strategies, tactics and leadership. Additionally, we are planning our November in-person member meeting to continue our deliberations and efforts.<\/p>\n

We continue to be grateful to our members and supporters who are contributing time and resources and critical thinking needed to build this consortium and to further delineate the value propositions to farmers, ranchers and others in the agricultural supply chain.<\/p>\n

We look forward to our continued engagement, and welcome your thoughts and feedback.<\/p>\n

Regards,
\nThe ESMC Team<\/p>\n

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ESMRC Working Group Science Advisor Nomination Call<\/strong>
\nThe Ecosystem Services Market Research Consortium (ESMRC) seeks nominations to form an inaugural team of science advisors to participate in ESMRC Working Groups (ESMRC WG) to provide expert insight and advice on the ESMRC research and implementation agenda and activities to advance soil health through a private, voluntary ecosystem services market. The submission deadline for nominations of ESMRC WG science advisors is Friday 13 September 2019.<\/p>\n

Please click here to access the ESMRC Calls for Nominations,<\/a> the ESMRC WG biosketch<\/a>, ESMRC WG Science Advisor Nomination Form<\/a>, and ESMRC Working Groups<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Farm Foundation Forum Spotlights the ESMC Report on the Economic Analysis of Ecosystem Service Markets<\/strong>
\nAn upcoming Farm Foundation Forum on 24 September 2019 at the National Press Club will feature the release of and discussion of an economic analysis of ecosystem services markets for agriculture commissioned last year to inform ESMC’s efforts. ESMC is grateful to the Farm Foundation for hosting this event and view it as the start of a discussion in which we can continue to explore the true value of ecosystem services from the agricultural sector. The market we are building together is the first national scale opportunity to recognize and reward the beneficial outcomes of agricultural systems that maximize such outcomes as improved soil carbon, greenhouse gas reduction, improved water quality and water use conservation. Valuation and monetization of these outcomes in a marketplace can provide financial incentives to scale these outcomes and to deliver their multiple benefits to society. Registration is currently open.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Membership Update<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
ESMC Partners with United Soybean Board, Adds Six\u00a0New Members\u00a0<\/strong>
\nThe Ecosystem Services Market Consortium has received $255,500 from the United Soybean Board (USB) to help develop an ecosystem service protocol for the Soy and Corn Belt. ESMC\u2019s ecosystem services protocols measure soil organic carbon, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water quality and water use efficiency.Through the partnership, ESMC will work with soybean farmers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio in a pilot project covering 50,000 acres. The Consortium will be building on its experience with an initial pilot project in the Southern Great Plains on 12 ranches in Oklahoma and Texas.<\/p>\n

ESMC champions a voluntary, market-based approach to incentivize farmers and ranchers to implement conservation practices that provide quantified ecosystem benefits. The resulting environmental credits will be available for purchase by corporations to meet their sustainability goals when ESMC launches its marketplace in 2022.<\/p>\n

USB seeks to help soybean farmers maximize their profits by building markets for U.S. soy and encouraging sustainability. Under the USDA checkoff program, USB promotes American farmers\u2019 efforts to mitigate environmental impacts while increasing productivity. USB affirms the value of producing soy that meets consumer and industry demands for practices that demonstrably preserve and protect the environment.<\/p>\n

In addition to the partnership with USB, ESMC has added six new members to its Consortium. Nestle is joining as a Founding Circle Member, and the American Soybean Association; NativeEnergy; Newtrient, LLC; the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and World Wildlife Fund are joining as Legacy Partners.<\/p>\n

ESMC\u2019s top priority is building a marketplace that works first and foremost for farmers and ranchers. The Consortium\u2019s long-term goals are to enroll 30 percent of available land in the top four crop regions and top four pasture regions to impact 250 million acres by 2030.<\/p>\n

Current ESMC Founding Circle members include: ADM; Bunge; Cargill; Corteva Agriscience; Danone North America; General Mills; Indigo Agriculture; Land O\u2019Lakes; McDonald\u2019s USA; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; Noble Research Institute, LLC; Nutrien; The Nature Conservancy and the Soil Health Institute. \u00a0ESMC Legacy Partner members include: American Farmland Trust; Anuvia Plant Nutrients; Bayer; Farm Foundation; Impact Ag Partners; Mars, Inc.; National Association of Conservation Districts; National Corn Growers Association; National Farmers Union; Pivot Bio; Sand County Foundation; Soil Health Partnership; The Fertilizer Institute; Tatanka Resources; the Tri-Societies; and Tyson Foods. Partners pledge financial support and active participation to improve ways to measure, verify and monetize increases in soil carbon, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, improved water quality and increased water conservation. ESMC welcomes companies, nonprofit and conservation organizations and agricultural organizations as partners.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Partner\u00a0Updates<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
Land O’Lakes Named to Fortune\u2019s \u201cCompanies Changing the World\u201d List<\/strong>
\nLand O\u2019Lakes, Inc. was included on Fortune magazine\u2019s 2019 Change the World list,<\/a> an annual list of companies making social or environmental impact through their business strategy and operations.This is the second time in three years their farmer-owned cooperative has been included on this exclusive list. Land O\u2019Lakes was first featured on Fortune\u2019s Change the World list in 2017 following the launch of Land O\u2019Lakes SUSTAIN, and Fortune is again spotlighting their work in deploying ag tech to support farmer-led stewardship. A major element of this year\u2019s recognition is the Truterra Insights Engine,<\/a> a first-of-its-kind digital tool announced last fall that measures and tracks on-farm stewardship activity and environmental impact.<\/p>\n
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Danone North America Stands with Other B Corps to Meet the Challenge of Redefining Business<\/strong>
\nDanone North America signed a full-page letter in the New York Times inviting CEOs who seek to use business as a force for good to join the B Corp movement.<\/a>\u00a0They are the largest Certified B Corporation in the world since 2018, promoting a shift in business culture that includes all stakeholders, and look forward to working with others interested in pursuing this path.<\/p>\n

A group of leading CEOs called Business Roundtable announced an evolution to its definition of the purpose of a corporation, including for the first-time community interests (not just company shareholders) as a valued part of the business ecosystem. B Lab, the non-profit behind B Corp\u2122 Certification, responded with a frank op-ed in Fast Company <\/a>challenging these CEOs to put their principles into action by joining the B Corp movement.<\/p>\n

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Gold Standard Hosting Session on Scope 3 Emissions at Climate Week<\/strong>
\nOn Wednesday, 25 September 2019 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Gold Standard will host a 90 minute workshop followed by a networking reception at Citco Gateway New York, 350 Park Avenue, New York, NY. This program will showcase how companies can work to reduce climate impact up and down their value chains, reporting in alignment with the GHG Protocol and with recognition toward their Science Based Targets. It will feature case studies from large food and beverage companies with a focus on nature-based solutions, highlighting their challenges and solutions for credible impact quantification and reporting. To RSVP, email Sarah Leugers<\/a>\u00a0– space is limited.<\/p>\n

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Resources for the Future Showcases New Carbon Pricing Calculator<\/strong>
\nResources for the Future (RFF) will be hosting an event on 20 September 2019 at Washington DC to share its expanded version of its Carbon Pricing Calculator. Marc Hafstead, Director of RFF\u2019s Carbon Pricing Initiative, will share the new calculator and host a discussion with Susanne Brooks (Environmental Defense Fund), Joseph Majkut (Niskanen Center), and Adele Morris (Brookings Institution) about the various policy proposals: what they aim to achieve, why they are structured as they are, and how they differ. RSVP for the event here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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News Updates<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
From No Till Farmer: <\/em>Crunching Data on Regenerative Farm and Ranch Management<\/strong>
\nIntercropping, adaptive grazing systems can improve crop synergie<\/a>s, soil health benchmarks and overall ranch profitability, experts say.<\/p>\n
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From No Till Farmer: <\/em>Carbon Loss Proportional to Tillage Intensity<\/strong>
\nSoil scientist Don Reicosky says the more soil you disturb in tillage,<\/a> the more CO2 is released. In addition, he says tillage is detrimental to fungi-to-bacteria ratios that are vital to carbon and nitrogen storage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Ecosystem Services Market Consortium Monthly\u00a0Newsletter – September, 2019\u00a0 Our Mission: To advance ecosystem service markets that incentivize farmers and ranchers to improve soil health systems that benefit society. ESMC News ESMC Announcements and Activities ESMC continues to make progress towards our 2022 launch of a national ecosystem services market place for agriculture, a marketplace built for farmers and ranchers. ESMCs […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1105,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1051"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1051"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1051\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1167,"href":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1051\/revisions\/1167"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clients.dotgov.com\/esmc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}