Since its earliest days as an “Alliance and Dialogue” on renewable energy and agriculture in the U.S., Solutions from the Land (SfL) has embraced the transformation of agriculture through innovative collaboration and new thinking in an increasingly complex 21st century setting. Over the span of 2+ decades and 5 Presidential Administrations, SFL leadership has continued to navigate through the politics, policies and agendas of government, Civil Society and private institutions, providing strategic insights and ‘pathways’ forward for the agricultural sector to pursue and perform. The multiple dimensions of solutions and benefits delivered by successful farmers, ranchers, pastoralists, foresters and fishers leads to the promise of a world of abundance. The SFL message of a 21st Century Agricultural Renaissance resonates today as proof-of-concept examples addressing and solving old and new global challenges continue to be demonstrated, replicated and scaled up or down at a remarkable pace and scope. It is with cautious optimism that we approach a predictably unpredictable future for global and local agriculture. If there is one thing a farmer knows, it is that perfect weather or a successful harvest or market is never guaranteed.
We can predict with certainty that new administrations will pursue different agendas and that the opportunities and challenges for agriculture will be revealed in time, driven by new leadership and linked to real-time events and emergencies. The prioritization of certain critical governmental functions relies on the passing on of institutional knowledge and wisdom, generation to generation, or administration to administration. There is no room for complacency or ignorance in the face of many of these constant threats to food and human security.
In the current era of change and uncertainly, SfL will continue to advance pragmatic solutions that a properly enabled agricultural sector can deliver. Our underlying values guide us as we move forward into the future, and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with partners in government at country level, private sector, global institutions, NGO partners and farmers themselves in enabling farmers, ranchers, foresters, and fishers to deliver solutions from the land!
