About Us
SfL: Creating a Unique VisionOur Story
Solutions from the Land (SfL) was conceived and led by a cross-sector team of respected agriculture, forestry, conservation, academic and industry leaders, who came together in 2009 based on clean energy discussions facilitated by the 25x’25 Alliance to explore integrated land management solutions to help meet food security, economic development, climate change and conservation of biodiversity goals. Beginning as a dialogue on what the future of agriculture might look like, co-sponsored by the United Nations Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International and the Farm Foundation, SfL has evolved into a 501c3 nonprofit operating in eight states, offering national and global advocacy for land-based solutions to world problems.
Our Work
Today, SfL continues to build and facilitates state, national, and global initiatives and alliances through which farmers, ranchers, foresters and collaborating partners showcase examples of innovation and proactively advocate for policies, partnerships, investments, and research that will enable agricultural landscapes to deliver near-term, cost-effective, integrated solutions to global mega-challenges: food and energy security; sustainable economic development; and environmental improvement.
Click on a platform to learn more.
Domestic Platform
SfL is currently engaged in a national program of sustainability advocacy by sharing the findings of its established state CSA network and leaders.
Global Platform
SfL is currently engaged in a national program of sustainability advocacy by sharing the findings of its established state CSA network and leaders.
Our Approach:
Enables agriculture leaders
Equips producers
with the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions and manage new risks under changing conditions;
Inspires & empowers agricultural leaders
Mobilizes thought leaders
SfL puts farmers, ranchers and foresters at the forefront of resolving food system, energy, environmental and climate challenges and achieving global sustainable development goals. SfL Work Groups tackle three objectives simultaneously: sustainably increasing agricultural productivity (including ecosystem services and societal benefits) and incomes; adapting and building resilience; and reducing and removing greenhouse gas emissions.
Our experience building and facilitating a network of climate smart agriculture (CSA) work groups at the state and national level has inspired partnerships with rural sociologists and clearly demonstrated the message: “To effectively engage and mobilize farmers in delivering solutions from the land, we must do so in ways that are relevant to their daily lives.”
Read on to learn more about SfL’s unique portfolio of state, landscape level and global initiatives.
OUR LEADERS
Co-Chairs
Fred Yoder
Biographical Info
Fred Yoder is a 4th generation farmer who has lived and farmed near Plain City, Ohio for over 40 years. Along with his wife Debbie and his 2 children, he grows corn, soybeans, and wheat. He also has operated a retail farm seed business for over 36 years and sells seed to all kinds of farmers including those who use biotech varieties, conventional varieties, and also to those who grow organic crops.
Fred has traveled many times to the European Union to speak about co-existence of production systems, where both organic and other production systems can thrive side by side as neighbors. Â Fred is a founding board member and now Co-Chair of “Solutions from the Land”. He also serves as Chair of the “North American Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance,” representing all factions of production agriculture, and working to ensure that farmer-to-farmer education and economics will be the driving force to adapting to feeding the world while dealing with a changing climate.
President
Board of Directors
Farmer Envoys
Senior Advisors
Many thanks to our other founding leaders!
The SfL Network
